A History of Debates at Saint Anselm College
Every college has a president. But only one college has had every United States president. And those who wanted to be president, for the past 60 years.
Saint Anselm College has a long, rich history of hosting politicians, pundits, journalists, Washington power-brokers, and presidential candidates on campus.
Presidential Hopefuls
In 1960, then-Senator and presidential hopeful John F. Kennedy visited campus twice; on his second visit, he gave a historic speech about America's conduct in the new realities of the emerging Cold War.
The day after declaring his candidacy for the 1968 election, Richard Nixon's first stop was a reception at Saint Anselm College, where he unveiled his campaign strategy regarding the Vietnam War
In the last 60 years, additional presidential candidates include (but not limited to): Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush., George W. Bush, Bob Dole, Jesse Jackson, Al Gore, Mike Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders.
Debates
The college hosted its first presidential primary debate in 1984, featuring Walter Mondale, Gary Hart and Jesse Jackson. It was sponsored by the League of Women Voters and moderated by Barbara Walters.
1988 - The League of Women Voters sponsored separate Democratic and Republican debates broadcast by Cable News Network (later known as CNN). The 1988 Democratic forum featured Mike Dukakis, Al Gore, Bruce Babbitt, Dick Gephardt, Gary Hart, Paul Simon, and Jesse Jackson. The next day George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, Jack Kemp, Pierre S. du Pont, and Pat Robertson gathered for the Republican debate.
1992 – Democratic debates in the Dana Center reported by CNN and New Hampshire Public Radio. The candidates included Jerry Brown, Bill Clinton, Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey, and Paul Tsongas.
1996 - Republican debates sponsored by CNN with candidates Bob Dole, Steve Forbes, and Pat Buchanan.
Since then, it has hosted at least one presidential primary debate in each presidential election since 2004.
December 2015 and January 2016 - Democratic and Republican Debates aired by ABC News.
New Hampshire Institute of Politics
Since it opened in 2001, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics has provided a nonpartisan forum for discussion and debate on all aspects of the American political process.
Founded on the premise that an educated citizenry is vital for a healthy democracy, its mission is to educate, engage and empower citizens to participate in the civic and political life of their local, national and global communities.
The Institute offers unparalleled opportunities to be in the front row of the democratic process.
Visitors and speakers include:
- State representatives
- U.S. senators
- primary candidates
- journalists
- political pundits
- authors
- scientists
- political experts
- leading thinkers