MYRTLE BEACH TO HOST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

Myrtle Beach has been selected as a location for both Republican and Democratic Presidential candidate debates! This is quite a coup for the Grand Strand. The events will bring national exposure to our area as well as an estimated economic boon of tens of millions of dollars. There could be no better time, as January has traditionally been considered a very slow month for tourism.

The Republican debate will take place January 10, 2008 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The South Carolina Republican Party sponsors the event. The debate will be led and televised by FOX NEWS with Brit Hume from FOX as the likely moderator. Debate questions will be selected by the network. As of the time this article was written, there have been no formal confirmations from the candidates to appear. However, according to a spokesman from the South Carolina Republican Party, hopefully the major contenders will take part. They are:

·         Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City

·         Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas

·         Duncan Hunter, U.S. Representative from California

·         John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona

·         Ron Paul, U.S. Representative from Texas

·         Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts

·         Tom Trancredo, U.S. Representative from Colorado

·         Fred Thompson, former U.S. Senator from Tennessee

The South Carolina Republican Primary will be held January 19, 2008.

The Democratic debate is scheduled for January 21, 2008 at The Palace Theatre. Sponsored by the Black Caucus Institute, CNN will be the host network. Wolf Blitzer’s name has been mentioned as the likely moderator. Again, the heavy contenders are expected:

·         Joe Biden, U.S Senator from Delaware

·         Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator from New York

·         Chris Dodd, U.S. Senator from Connecticut

·         John Edwards, former U.S. Senator from North Carolina

·         Mike Gravel, former U.S. Senator from Alaska

·         Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Representative from Ohio

·         Barack Obama, U.S. Senator from Illinois

·         Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico

The South Carolina Democratic Primary will be held January 26, 2008.

These debates are critical for several reasons. Historically, debates have had a substantial effect on the primaries. For the past 27 years, the candidate who has won the Republican primary election in South Carolina has gone on to win the Republican nomination. This Presidential election is expected to be the busiest and most expensive in history. It will be the first election since 1952 where there are no incumbents running for President or Vice President. It is the belief of many political historians that the next President of the United States will likely be one of the two winners of these debates.

Details are being worked out daily in preparation for the debates. Security will be handled by a conglomerate group including SLED (State Law Enforcement Division), U.S. Secret Service, Capitol Hill police, local agencies, and private security firms. Both parties are devising the way tickets will be distributed. Although a very select number of tickets may be available to the public, it is far more likely that the majority will be watching the debates on television. There will be extra events associated with each debate that will be open to the public. Stay tuned to local news and media for listings of these happenings. 400 volunteers have been secured to help each debate and associated events run smoothly. Step Up, a local group that matches volunteers to jobs, handled the selection and training of volunteers. 

How exciting all this is for Myrtle Beach! Our reputation for friendliness and professional tourism expertise greatly influenced the decision to place both debates here. Katon Dawson, Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, cites the “can-do” attitude of the leaders of Horry County greatly swayed their decision to choose Myrtle Beach as the location of their debate. Likewise, U. S. Congressman James E. Clyburn, Democrat from the S.C. 6th Congressional District, said Myrtle Beach “rolled out the red carpet” and is the perfect dynamic community to host their debate. The impact for our area, other than the expected economic windfall, cannot be measured. In addition to the 2,000 people attending each debate, an estimated 400 – 500 journalists from all over the world will be right here on our shore, many for the first time. They will take their personal first-hand experience home with them and further spread the word about Myrtle Beach.

Although the general election will be held November 4, 2008, and Inauguration Day won’t be until January 20, 2009, the long and winding road to the White House is one busy street already. We are all proud that Myrtle Beach is a major stop along the way!

94.9 the Surf encourages everyone to watch the debates, become informed and educated on each candidate, and most importantly, get out and vote!!