Gov. Bredesen and former Sen. Howard Baker, along with Belmont and several organizations, hosted a forum Oct. 6 on civil discourse in American politics as a prelude to the Town Hall Presidential Debate. Former CNN anchor Bernard Shaw moderated the one-hour forum assessing this year’s presidential race, posing the key question: “Is Uncivil Discourse Sabotaging American Politics and Governance?” Participants included Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Politico managing editor Bill Nichols, former Democratic Congresswoman Pat Schroeder (now president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers) and Mark Whitaker, senior vice president and Washington bureau chief for NBC News. The local community also enjoyed a taste of Debate08 thanks to the Official Block Party that was held on a portion of Belmont Boulevard. More than 2,000 people came to campus Oct. 7 to enjoy the live music, vendors and food at the Block Party and to be a part of live tapings of CBS’ “The Early Show,” hosted by Harry Smith, and MSNBC’S “Hardball,” hosted by Chris Matthews.
20
Belmont student volunteers were interviewed live on MSNBC while curious crowds roamed campus and the Block Party on debate day.
2121