The presidential debate coming to the University of Denver next year isn’t just a measure of the state’s electoral importance.
Make no mistake, it’s an opportunity for people in the community to get involved in debating issues and politics in the weeks and months leading up to the event.
We surely hope Coloradans take advantage of the many ways in which they’ll be able to participate.
As part of the bid DU made to the Commission on Presidential Debates, the university pledged to hold events to engage the community and offer educational opportunities.
Though those plans have not been solidified, it’s likely the university will arrange lectures, debate-watching parties, and materials that K-12 educators can use in the classrooms.
For instance, Anne-Marie Slaughter, former director of policy planning for the U.S. State Department and professor at Princeton University, is scheduled to speak about undercurrents in the 2012 election in a free lecture at DU early next year.
DU also will need a lot of volunteers to pull off all of the events, including the Oct. 3 debate.
Another issue that will become apparent before long is that DU will be seeking sponsors to help pick up the $1.6 million cost to the school. That’s a large amount of money to raise in a soft economy in which other needs are so great. But we have little doubt they’ll succeed.
That Denver has been selected as a site for the debate is an indication, in our minds, of the importance of the West in the presidential contest.
It’s clear the president, who has visited Colorado twice in the last six weeks, considers the region important to his chances in the 2012 election. The debate coming here underscores that belief.
Beyond the political implications of putting the event here, the debate itself will be exciting.
President Obama will face off against the GOP presidential nominee in what will be the first of three debates put on by the commission.
The media will descend on the campus in droves, with satellite trucks in tow. And the campaigns will flock to the area with attendant staff.
For those who are political fans — count us among them — this is not unlike the Super Bowl of politics — that is, if the Super Bowl were to be played in three segments.
We’re thrilled that Denver and Colorado will be a field of play in the 2012 presidential contest, and we hope residents are revved up to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
