COUNTDOWN TO VICTORY
SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY, YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND FURMAN UNIVERSITY RELEASE KEY DETAILS ABOUT MSNBC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DEBATE WITH NBC NEWS ANCHOR TOM BROKAW JANUARY 29, 2004 AT THE PEACE CENTER IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
GREENVILLE SC - The South Carolina Democratic Party released information today about their January 29, 2004 Presidential Primary Debate in Greenville, South Carolina. The debate will be hosted by the Young Democrats of South Carolina and Furman University, moderated by NBC Nightly News Anchor Tom Brokaw and aired live on MSNBC and South Carolina NBC affiliates. All nine Democratic candidates are expected to attend.
"As 2003 draws to a close and we head into the 2004 campaign, we are less than fifty days away from the South Carolina Democratic Primary on February 3rd," said South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin. "The eyes of the nation and the South will be on our state, and across South Carolina, we are excited about the critical role that South Carolina Democratic voters will play in the election of our next President. We are especially delighted that the young people of South Carolina will get one of the first major chances to hear the candidates on the record on our issues at our Presidential Primary Debate with MSNBC on the 29th of January."
Erwin thanked the Young Democrats of South Carolina, Furman University, the State Party, South Carolina Democratic leaders, the City of Greenville and the all-volunteer Greenville Debate Steering Committee led by attorney Doug Dent for their continuing hard work on this project. He announced that as a result of that hard work, guidelines for debate ticketing have been established, an early schedule of debate watching parties has been developed and thanks to Furman University, a resource website for reporters and potential audience members is online and ready to take requests for information.
Log on to www.southcarolinadebate.com to access information on events, ticketing, volunteer opportunities, hospitality/accommodations and the candidates. A Press Room link provides background and updates which members of the media can utilize as they prepare for the debate.
GUIDELINES FOR TICKET DISTRIBUTION
The nearly 2,000 debate tickets will be divided between the South Carolina Young Democrats, Furman University, the campaigns of each of the nine Presidential campaigns and the South Carolina Democratic Party. NBC will receive a small number of tickets for their affiliates and staff. The State Democratic Party and the Young Democrats are committed to ensuring that the audience inside the Peace Center is made up of South Carolina Democrats from across the state by offering tickets to Democratic leaders in each of South Carolina's 46 counties, leaders and chief volunteers for the Party's Presidential Primary operation, and the South Carolina Democratic Party's Committee of 100.
"Demand for debate tickets has already exceeded our limited supply, said Chairman Erwin. "Our first priority had to be those Democrats who work so hard in every county across this State to put on elections and stand up for core Democratic values, and those who are working so hard to ensure the success of the February 3rd Presidential Primary. We also wanted to make sure through our partnership with the Young Democrats and Furman University that the young people of this State get to see history in the making and the critical importance of our First-In-The South Primary and Presidential Debate. And last but not least, we wanted to make sure the South Carolinians who are working so hard for individual campaigns here in the state got seats in the hall to see what all their hard work has achieved."
DEBATE WATCHING PARTIES
Erwin noted that since interest in this locally and nationally televised debate is running so high, his staff and volunteer committee have planned a series of debate watching parties so Democrats can gather together and cheer on the Democratic process and their candidate.
"I have encouraged every Presidential campaign to stop by and visit local debate watching parties once they are finished at the Peace Center and in the media rooms at the Westin Poinsett Hotel Thursday night, and to send over their most exciting campaign surrogates to watch the debate with real South Carolina voters. We are working overtime to make sure everyone gets to see these great candidates in action and live on the big screen."
Debate watching parties are currently scheduled by Greenville community groups for January 29, 2004; details will be posted online at www.southcarolinadebate.com (events link). Since parties are being arranged by local groups, entrance fees may be charged to cover expenses. Tickets to the Presidential debate are free.
January 29, 2004
6pm - 9pm
Allen Temple Community Development Center
Community Development Center
109 Greene Avenue, downtown Greenville
Soft drink & popcorn concessions, big screens
Ticket information online at www.southcarolinadebate.com after January 1
6pm - 11pm
Coliseum Ristorante
West End Market, downtown Greenville
Hors' d'oeuvres, cash bar, big screens, band following debate
Ticket information online at www.southcarolinadebate.com after January 1
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR JOURNALISTS PLANNING ON COVERING THE DEBATE
In addition to Debate Watching parties, Debate sponsors are creating a detailed schedule of activities in Greenville and across the State to countdown towards the February primary. More than 500 members of the national and international media are expected to visit South Carolina following the New Hampshire Primary and to attend the debate on Thursday the 29th of January.
MSNBC will release credential forms and informational advisories in early January for the Debate filing center and spin stations. Reporters wishing to reserve hotel rooms in Greenville for the debate are encouraged to log onto www.southcarolinadebate.com. Reporters wishing to request credential advisory forms from MSNBC in January should send an email to info@southcarolinadebate.com with Name of Organization, number of journalists wishing to attend the debate, and key contact information including phone, cell phone and email. All requests for credential forms will be forwarded to MSNBC by January 5th. For more details about MSNBC credential procedures, please contact MSNBC Jeremy Gaines at 201-583-5362.
"Reporters, debate attendees, and proud South Carolinians across the state should save the date of January 29, 2004, set their VCRs and get ready for the pivotal debate of the primary season," said Erwin. "Reserve your rooms and your flights today to be guaranteed the best that Greenville and the Upstate of South Carolina have to offer. Our team has put together a top-notch schedule of events and the minute the New Hampshire primary ends on the 27th, you can be sure of non-stop action in South Carolina."
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