President Earl S. Richardson with Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Debate moderator Brit Hume of Fox News shakes hands with former Vermont Governor Howard Dean as Juan Williams of National Public Radio reviews questions.
Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun pauses to chat with a Morgan State student. Left to right: Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), CNN commentator James Carville and actor George Clooney shared a laugh before the debates began.
"It doesn’t get any better than this," proclaimed one Morgan State University alumnus in attendance at the Democratic Presidential Debate held on September 9. The debate, a first for the sponsor, the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute, was also the first presidential debate ever held on the campus of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The nationally broadcast event was aired live on Fox News Channel and allowed millions of viewers to join the audience of more than 2,000 attendees seated comfortably in the dazzling, starsand-stripes-draped James H. and Louise Hayley Gilliam Concert Hall of Morgan’s Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center. "Debates play an important role in the election process," said Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. One of the main reasons for having the candidates come to an HBCU was to have them address issues of importance to the African American community. Morgan's selection as the venue for the debate was not by chance. Congressman Cummings' district includes Morgan State University, and he is a loyal supporter of the school. Debates are not new to Morgan. Last year, the Murphy Fine Arts Center was the site of the Maryland gubernatorial debate, hosted by the Baltimore Branch of the
NAACP. The presidential debate, however, was a massive undertaking, requiring crews to come in early to accommodate the press and dress up the hall for a national audience. During the debate, the nine candidates: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun; Reverend Al Sharpton; former Vermont Governor Howard Dean; Sens. John F. Kerry, Joseph I. Lieberman, John Edwards and Bob Graham; and Reps. Richard A. Gephardt and Dennis Kucinich, entertained questions from a panel of highly respected journalists. The panel included moderator Brit Hume of Fox News Channel; Juan Williams of National Public Radio; Ed Gordon, former Black Entertainment Television anchor; and Farai Chideya of PopandPolitics.com. There was even a touch of Hollywood in the crowd, as actor George Clooney, joined by political consultant James Carville, actor Roger G. Smith and other members of the new HBO series "K Street," filmed extensively throughout the debate, acquiring footage for the show's premiere episode. "Impressive," stated Morgan State University President Dr. Earl Richardson, beaming with pride as he mingled with the candidates and special guests at the post-debate reception. "You can't buy this type of exposure."
The Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute will sponsor a second presidential debate on Sunday, October 26, 2003, in Detroit, Mich. FA L L
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