The ABC News/WMUR/Facebook debates set for Saturday at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire have become a hot ticket for the media trying to cover them. An ABC News spokesperson tells TVNewser that the 550 credentials are nearly spoken for. In fact, the network has had to go back to some foreign press agencies and ask that they scale back the number of credentials they are requesting. ABC News has begun putting some members of the media on a waiting list.
The debates, moderated by Charles Gibson, have drawn so many requests for several reasons: Republican and Democratic candidates will take part in back-back-to 90 minute debates. Twice the debates, twice the candidates all in one night. Also, since the debates come just two days after the Iowa caucuses and three days before the New Hampshire primary, voters are now more focused on the campaigns.
CNN sponsored two debates at St. Anselm last spring (June 3-Democrats, June 5-Republicans).
The Carr Center at St. Anselm College will be transformed into the media filing center for back-to-back Presidential debates on ABC Saturday night. (Courtesy: St. Anselm College)