Belmont looks to repeat as presidential debate host in 2016

Friday, January 9, 2015, Vol. 39, No. 2

NASHVILLE (AP) — Belmont University is applying to host another presidential debate.

The Nashville school, which hosted a debate between Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican John McCain in 2008, says it will seek to again host an exchange of ideas between the presidential candidates in 2016.

The 2008 debate was the first ever held in Tennessee, and about 420 Belmont students were offered to attend the event and more than 300 volunteered to assist in the hospitality, transportation, ushering and other logistics. According to Nielsen Media Ratings, the debate was watched by more than 63 million people.

Belmont President Bob Fisher cited the civic and economic benefit that the last debate served in the Nashville committee.