Posted on 04/11/2007 9:43:46 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
There won't be room for the public at the May 3 GOP presidential debate at the Reagan Library — a landmark political event for Ventura County.
Nine presidential candidates have confirmed that they will participate in the event, which originally was billed as open to the public but with limited seating. But because of a change in location and for security reasons, Reagan Library officials now say seating is limited to about 400 people, with no room for the public.
"We've always wanted the public to be able to attend the debate, but with (nine) candidates, we needed a larger stage," said Melissa Giller, spokeswoman for the Reagan Library. "Seating is now very limited."
Instead of using the Presidential Learning Center or the bottom floor of the Air Force One Pavilion — both can hold around 900 people -— the debate is now scheduled on the second floor of the Air Force One Pavilion.
The decision was made to have it in front of the "History of the Flying White House" mural. It was the best space for the stage, which will have to hold nine podiums, Giller said.
Friends of the library near Simi Valley, including local and national dignitaries, donors and various media, are expected to make up the majority of the audience, Giller said.
It is not known how many will be in attendance, she said.
Candidates who have confirmed that they will attend are former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and Tommy Thompson, former Wisconsin governor and secretary of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush.
A moderator for the evening debate, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., has not been announced.
The MSNBC cable network is collaborating with the library on the event. MSNBC will broadcast it on television and live online.
Politico.com, a politically focused Web site that launched recently with two Washington Post reporters at the helm, will use questions submitted to them online. Anyone can submit questions online.
But not having live questions from the audience is "psychologically different," said Herb Gooch, a political science professor at California Lutheran University, and takes away the spontaneity of the event.
"It's always nice to have live participation," Gooch said. "The freshness of the audience and the dynamics change psychologically for those watching."
This is the first presidential debate to be held at a presidential library, officials have said.
The debate will be the first of two presidential debates for GOP candidates at the library during the campaign cycle.
The second will be Jan. 30, before the "Super Tuesday" primary Feb. 5 in California and several other states.
"I think it's terrific that they're having these," Gooch said.
"Having such an early primary season tends to favor heavily the best financed candidates. This is, in part, a way of leveling the play field so people can really size up the candidates."
Besides, wouldn't Rudy melt like the Oz witch at the Reagan library anyway LOLOLOL
Get the check book out. $10,000 should cover it.
“Besides, wouldn’t Rudy melt like the Oz witch at the Reagan library anyway”
I can picture that.
I’d like to have been there, but at that time of evening the cafe would probably be closed and I couldn’t have my pulled pork sandwich, so just as well.
If security will let us, we hope to stand along Presidential Drive with “Where’s Fred?” signs that day.
Also, Fat Teddy from Mass. is supposed to be giving a speech at the Reagan on April 28th. We’re trying to think of a couple good signs. Ideas?
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