Presidential Debate will proceed with minor format change

In a morning media briefing, Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and Janet Brown, executive director of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), announced that this evening's Presidential Debate would proceed as scheduled.

A somber Chancellor Wrighton expressed sympathy for the families of Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, his son Roger and campaign advisor Chris Sifford. "Our team at Washington University feels a deep sense of loss, but we also feel it is important to proceed with this extremely important national event," Wrighton said.

Janet Brown told members of the media that members of the CPD feel for the families of the governor and his advisor "more than I can say."

Brown and other members of the CPD spoke by phone early this morning. She said the commission members were deeply saddened to hear of the airplane crash that claimed the lives of Carnahan, his son and Chris Sifford.

After expressing heartfelt condolences to the families, Brown and other commission members discussed whether there should be any changes in tonight's Presidential Debate.

"We concluded this is a critical time in an extremely important election campaign that will determine the direction of the United States of America for the 21st century. We believe that conducting a debate in the Governor's home state -- featuring citizens of Missouri [as participants in the town hall meeting] -- is what the Governor would have wanted," Brown said.

The staffs of the presidential candidates agreed, and the Governor's staff was informed of the decision.

"Therefore, tonight's debate will proceed as planned, and it will be held in honor of Governor Mel Carnahan, Roger Carnahan and Chris Sifford," Brown said.

The only change will be that debate moderator Jim Lehrer, Vice President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush each will speak about Governor Carnahan's death at the start of the debate. After that, the town hall-style debate will proceed as originally scheduled.