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Howard Gearing Up for Democratic Presidential Debate

Christopher Huff/The Times and Democrat The Democratic presidential candidates met April 26 at another historically black institution, South Carolina State University, for their first debate. At Howard, three journalists of color will question them.

By Vanessa Rozier
Black College Wire

Democratic presidential candidates plan to be at Howard University on June 28 to be questioned for the first time by an all-minority panel of journalists, and some student leaders view the event as historic.

Three journalists will pose questions to the eight presidential hopefuls, as Tavis Smiley and the Public Broadcasting Service facilitate what is called the "All-American Presidential Democratic Forum."

With the author, activist and talk show host will be journalists Michel Martin of National Public Radio, nationally syndicated columnists Ruben Navarrette Jr. of the San Diego Union-Tribune and DeWayne Wickham of USA Today.

The questions are to reflect the issues presented in Smiley's book, "The Covenant with Black America," according to PBS.

The paperback, edited by Smiley, outlines 10 crucial issues African Americans face, including healthcare, education and employment.

"It's good because a lot of candidates don't speak about minorities," said Marcus Ware, senior finance major," speaking of the June 28 event. Ware, president of the Howard University Student Association, plans to be in attendance.

"It's good that it's on our campus because Howard has so much history fighting for black people and minorities," he said.

Nicholas Owen, junior communication and culture major, agreed. "Howard University is home to a lot of the movers and shakers of the world," he said. "Why not Howard University? What better place?

"I would like for them to touch upon college loan companies taking advantage of students," said Owen, John H. Johnson School of Communications Student Council president. "They shouldn't forget about immigration reform, with more emphasis on people from the Caribbean."

The PBS-sponsored debate is to be held at Cramton Auditorium, but has limited seating for Howard students. Ware said, "When a lot of people come to campus, they keep students away."

Cramton's capacity is only 1,500, so there will be free viewing in Burr Gymnasium for those interested but without a seat in the auditorium.

Devaughn Ward, senior legal communications major and Howard Democratic Club president, expects to one of the few Howard students watching the event from Cramton. "This debate is a historic event in itself," he said. "It will recharge Howard as a politically active and politically aware school."

The scheduled candidates are Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware, Hillary Clinton of New York, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Barack Obama of Illinois; former senators John Edwards of North Carolina and Mike Gravel of Alaska; Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

In a USA Today/Gallup Poll of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents released June 18, Clinton led with 39 percent, with Obama second at 26 percent and Edwards third at 13 percent.

The June 28 event is to be aired on PBS stations on June 28 at 9 p.m. EST. The Republican counterpart is scheduled for Sept. 27 at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Vanessa Rozier, a student at Howard University, writes for the Hilltop. To comment, e-mail .

Posted June 24, 2007