Presidential Primary Debates Postponed to June

CNN, Hearst Argyle’s WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader have moved their back-to-back Republican and Democratic debates from the first week of April to the first week of June. The debates will be held at Saint Anselm College.

The change was made to accommodate candidates’ schedules and offer the public the best possible presidential primary debates. New Hampshire plays a pivotal role in presidential elections, and CNN, WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader say they are committed to providing voters with this important opportunity to evaluate candidates. The exact dates of the events will be posted as soon has they have been determined.

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer will moderate the debates with questions from WMUR-TV Political Director Scott Spradling and New Hampshire Union Leader Senior Political Reporter John DiStaso. Both debates will be broadcast live throughout New Hampshire on WMUR and nationally on CNN, CNN Radio, CNN.com, WMUR.com and UnionLeader.com.

Additionally, WMUR and CNN Pipeline will create multiple real-time web components including off-air camera angles and additional real-time analysis in an unprecedented effort to enhance the on-line experience for the people of New Hampshire and the country, CNN anncounced.

These debates will provide candidates an important opportunity to introduce themselves and answer direct questions on the many challenges facing New Hampshire and the nation.

“As a liberal arts college with a mission to engage students and citizens in the civic life of our nation, we are thrilled to showcase once again our great college and our Benedictine hospitality on a national stage,” Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., president of the college, said.