2012 Presidential Debates Won't Come to Washington University

Washington University has not been chosen as a debate venue for the upcoming 2012 general election, according to a news release from the Commission on Presidential Debates. The school has facilities in Clayton, University City and St. Louis City.

Instead, the university will serve as a backup site in case an issue arises with one of the four major venues—the University of Denver, Centre College, Hofstra University and Lynn University. Three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate are planned before the 2012 general election.

WUSTL hosted presidential debates in 1992, 2000 and 2004, and it hosted the only vice presidential debate in the 2008 campaign. It also was selected to host a presidential debate in 1996 that eventually was canceled.

The Commission on Presidential Debates received proposals from 12 potential 2012 debate sites, WUSTL stated.

The commission is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has sponsored all of the general election presidential and vice presidential debates since 1988.

The commission will announce formats for the four debates in the first part of 2012, as well as plans for Internet-based initiatives. Moderators for the debates will be chosen next summer.