News

UH to host Republican presidential debate

Embed from Getty Images

UH has been selected by NBC News and Telemundo to host the Republican presidential candidate’s debate Feb. 26, according to a UH news release.

“As the University becomes a part of political history, the debate will further confirm our status as one of the country’s powerhouse institutions,” Vice President for University Marketing Richie C. Hunter said in the news release.

“Hosting such an important public discussion about our country’s future – one that impacts our community locally, nationally and abroad – is precisely in line with our steadfast commitment to leadership and our ongoing academic pursuit of scientific, political and social discourse.”

The debate will be the final debate before the “Super Tuesday” primary elections held in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia on March 1.

No University funds will be used to host the debate.

“This debate comes at a pivotal moment in the election cycle.,” President and chancellor Renu Khator in a news release. “We’re delighted to host a national conversation with real-life impact on our community and country, and welcome an evening of engaging discourse to our campus.”

Additional details including debate location and campus programming will be announced at a later date.

[email protected]

8 Comments

      • Today’s Republicans, he continues, have abandoned all that (conservatism). The GOP is
        increasingly driven by a faction that “regards the messy business of
        politics as soiled and impure. Compromise is corruption. Inconvenient
        facts are ignored. Countrymen with different views are regarded as
        aliens. Political identity became a sort of ethnic identity, and any
        compromise was regarded as a blood betrayal.”

        David Brooks

        Not sure its the publicity that the school wants.

        • Yes because no Dems have ever screwed things. Such perfect angels. Continue to absorb biased opinions. All political parties have their baggage. All politics are in a way courrpt as well. Besides, in the south, a large portion of it is republican. The fact that UH will be on a national stage is good. Just as its good for anything to be seen.

    • I would not bet on that. Like most of the presidential debates it is likely that there will be limited seating that will be primarily reserved by NBC, and guests of the candidates. The University is essentially renting out its facilities to a private event, and is getting paid for it.

      Student/faculty seating will be limited. Likely less than 100 seats.

      That said hopefully the candidates and campaigns will interact with the student body before the debate. Also UH being highlighted to a national audience will still be a great thing for the school.

      • I know the likelihood of getting to go is dismal.
        And I agree, this is definitely good for garnering national attention for UH.

Leave a Comment