DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio college says it is withdrawing as host of the first presidential general election debate, citing rising security concerns and costs.
Wright State University President David Hopkins called a news conference for Tuesday afternoon to make the announcement and explain the decision to pull out of its role for the scheduled Sept. 26 debate. School spokesman Bob Mihalek (mi-HAL’-ek) confirmed that Wright State was withdrawing but declined further comment pending Hopkins’ appearance.
The Dayton Daily News reports that Hopkins says the recent mass slayings in Nice, France, heightened his worries about security needs for the debate.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Ya know, the presidential debates as currently configured and envisioned are useless vehicles for posturing, theater and media hype. So, a big “who gives a fuck?” from yours truly. Let me know when the League of Women Voters gets the debates back and the Fairness Doctrine is reinstated and then maybe I’ll reconsider.
smart move by wright state. the supposed optics of hosting the presidential debate have gone all to shit. the security issue is a concern they surely don’t want to deal with.
Hear! Hear!
But I wonder if there will even be more than one, if any at all. My gut feeling is Drumpf will find an excuse — the moderators and/or media don’t treat him fairly; it’s a waste of his time; Hillary doesn’t treat him with respect; his supporters don’t feel debates are necessary; ad infinitum — to not participate. Or at least I hope that’s the tack he takes. It would certainly fit in with his MO as the most cowardly bully of all time.