Preview of Democratic Debate
Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 - 09:12 AM
Democratic presidential hopefuls will take a huge step in their race for the White House Thursday night.
For the first time, all 8 candidates will be on the same stage during the first presidential debate of this political season.
It's taking place in tiny Organgeburg, South Carolina.
Even the locals here will tell you, this town is in the middle of nowhere.
But as the Democratic party begins to cut through a crowded field of presidential contenders, the fast track to the White House runs directly through Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Patrick Norton, the Communications Director for the South Carolina Democratic Party says "it's gonna give the candidates ability to prove themselves as winners. If your a lesser known candidate it's gonna be a great opportunity to step up and show that your a national contender and that you can compete across all of the states. So I look to see a lot of people step up to the bat and hit a home run and it will also be interesting to see who doesn't live up to expectations."
As crews set the stage for the first presidential debate of this political season, the spotlight may shine brightest on the front runners.
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have been sniping on the campaign trail..
This will be the first time they meet face to face.
John Edwards, who won the South Carolina primary in 2004, will have a bit of a homefield advantage.
He's from neighboring North Carolina.
While Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel come to the debate hoping to talk their way into the top tier of Democratic candidates during what is shaping up as the first real test of the political season.
The South Carolina primary is in just 8 months and is one of the first nominating contests and is considered one of the toughest early tests because of the economic and racial diversity in this state. |
