The Nashville Scene reports on Belmont University seeking to host one of next year’s Presidential Debates – and explains why Belmont University President Dr. Robert Fisher thinks it’s good for Nashville to have two universities seeking to host a debate.
Belmont proposes to hold the debate and accompanying media circus at its $50 million Curb Event Center and adjoining new student life complex, set to be completed Sept. 8, while the Vanderbilt/Metro coalition proposes Ryman Auditorium as the debate site and nearby Nashville Convention Center as its media center.
“It doubles our chances.,” says Fisher. “I have not and will not say a discouraging word about the Vanderbilt proposal. I think it would be terrific if they’re selected. I think the site they’ve chosen is one that would be of significant interest to the country, and if that’s what the commission’s looking for, they’ll choose that. If they’re looking for a venue like the Curb Event Center, they’ll choose that.”
The debate commission’s board of directors plans to make a final decision about sites in October and then announce the chosen sites in November.
