UI chosen to host Republican debate

Republican presidential hopefuls will come to the UI campus March 14 to
participate in a debate that will be broadcast on ABC-TV.

The debate will take place as the focus of the presidential campaign shifts
from the South to the crucial March 19 Midwestern "Super Tuesday" primary
in which voters in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin will choose 229
of the 993 delegates needed to secure the GOP presidential nomination.

ABC News President Roone Arledge has extended invitations to Gov. Lamar
Alexander, commentator Pat Buchanan, Sen. Robert Dole, Congressman Robert
Dorman, businessmen Steve Forbes, Sen. Phil Gramm, Ambassador Alan Keyes,
Sen. Richard Lugar and Sen. Arlen Specter.

ABC has not yet determined the time, format, moderator or venue for the
debate. Bill Murphy, UI associate chancellor for public affairs, said ABC
News producers will come to campus and look at several possible sites
before making their decision.

Hal Bruno, ABC News political director and UI alumnus, was instrumental in
bringing the debate to campus, according to Arnot Walker, ABC spokesman.

"Bruno helped steer the debate to the university because of its central
location and excellent facilities," Walker said.