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Florida to host key debates in presidential race
© Orlando Sentinel

Leadership Florida, in partnership with the Florida Press Association and the Florida Public Broadcasting Service, will produce the two hour long live debates, which may get added national exposure on C-SPAN, officials said.

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Organizers: Major presidential candidates to debate in January
© Tallahassee Democrat

The Jan. 23 and 24 debates should take on national prominence. They'll come in the days immediately following the New Hampshire primary and within a week of Florida's newly minted early primary Jan. 29. South Carolina also has a primary that day. Soon after, on a Feb. 5 sweepstakes, 24 states will have presidential primary votes.

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Groups to organize debates ahead of presidential primary
© Daytona Beach News-Journal

The groups that organized U.S. Senate and gubernatorial debates last year announced Wednesday that they are planning debates for Republican and Democratic presidential candidates just ahead of the Jan. 29 primary.

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Dates set for presidential debates
© Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

Televised debates between the major contenders for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations are planned for Florida on Jan. 23 and 24, less than a week before the state's primaries, organizers said Wednesday.

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Earlier 2008 primary sure to bring big names to Jan. 23-24 debates
© Ft. Myers News-Press

The fallout from Florida's earlier presidential primary remains unclear, but organizers said Wednesday they expect major candidates to participate in televised debates in January.

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State to host pair of presidential debates
© Palm Beach Post

Florida will host two presidential debates just days before the Jan. 29 primary, despite threats of retribution from the Democratic Party for candidates who campaign in the state in advance of other states' elections.

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Decision2008: Before You Vote, a project created by Leadership Florida, in partnership with the Florida Press Association and the Florida Public Broadcasting Service, will produce two one-hour LIVE debates featuring the major Republican and Democrat candidates for president. The debates, which are expected to generate a national television audience numbering in the millions, are scheduled for January 23 and 24 of 2008, in what is shaping up to be the signal week of the presidential primary season.

Now that Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature have propelled Florida to the front of the electoral heap, shifting the state's presidential primary from early March to January 29, Florida voters have a new, highly visible and critical role in the national race for president. In addition to appealing to residents of such a diverse and dynamic bellwether state as Florida, candidates from both parties will enter these debates mindful of a unique national electoral calculus.

The first debate in the Decision2008 project, featuring the major Republican candidates for president, will occur on January 23 - only one day after the New Hampshire primary, in advance of the January 29 primaries in Florida and South Carolina. The second debate, on the following evening, January 24, will feature the major Democrat candidates for president. One week after the Florida primary, voters in 24 states will go to the polls on February 5, 2008 - the night that likely will determine the 2008 nominees to become the 44th president of the United States.

Letters of invitation have been sent to each of the major candidates for president and the Florida and national chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties. Organizers expect full participation, on account of Florida's pivotal importance as a swing state wielding 27 electoral votes and because of the critical timing of the state's primary election. Candidates who meet the federal eligibility requirements for the presidency, appear as a candidate for president on his or her party's Florida presidential primary ballot, and have at least 10 percent support among all likely voters who will participate in their respective primaries as determined by a poll taken by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research will be invited to participate in these important debates.

"The debates of Decision2008: Before You Vote will provide every voter here in Florida and those across our nation with the opportunity to learn more about the candidates and issues in these two primary contests," said Jeff Bartel, chairman of Leadership Florida and vice president of external affairs for Florida Power & Light. "Democracy flows from an informed electorate, and we're confident that millions of Americans will tune in to these lively, spirited and substantive debates." 
  

Additional information about Decision2008: Before You Vote, including the
criteria for candidates' participation, is available at www.beforeyouvote.org.

Both debates will take place on the campus of a soon-to-be-named public university in Florida. They will be broadcast LIVE in primetime on public television stations throughout Florida, with a public radio simulcast and Webcast, and will provide for comprehensive coverage by the daily news media. It is expected that C-SPAN will either simulcast the debates or rebroadcast them. The partners said that all of Florida's commercial broadcasters and cable outlets will be granted complete rights to re-broadcast both debates - to further educate an expanded audience of voters.

Foy Maloy, chairman of the Florida Press Association and publisher of the Fernandina Beach News Leader, said the partnership promises to deliver Florida voters dynamic, fair and rigorous forums for the major candidates to present themselves and their policy prescriptions to Americans.

"These debates offer candidates the chance to prove their mettle," Maloy said. "Florida's newspapers are proud to be partnered in this important effort to give Americans the opportunity to evaluate those who seek to steer our ship of state."

Indeed, Florida newspapers will devote substantial space to covering the races involved and, through the Florida Press Association, also will promote viewership of the live statewide debate series through the donation of prominent advertising space.

Sandy Cesaretti Ray, chairman of Florida Public Broadcasting Service, and also general manager of WSRE-TV, licensed to Pensacola Junior College, said she was confident that the critical timing of the debates would be the magnet to draw candidates to participate and viewers to watch and listen.

"These candidates know all too well how important Florida is in selecting the next occupant of the White House," said Cesaretti Ray. "We are thrilled to be a partner in this effort, and as we approach these debates, we look forward to announcing a marquee broadcast journalist as moderator."