NEW YORK – January 22, 2008 – "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams will moderate a debate among the Republican presidential candidates Thursday, Jan. 24, 9-10:30 p.m. ET, live on MSNBC from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. Tim Russert, moderator of "Meet the Press" and NBC News Washington Bureau Chief, will join Williams in questioning the candidates. Chris Matthews will anchor post-debate analysis on MSNBC, 10:30 p.m.-12 a.m. ET.
 

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. John McCain, Rep. Ron Paul, and former Gov. Mitt Romney will participate. This will be the only Florida Republican presidential candidates debate held in 2008, coming just five days before Florida's crucial January 29 primary. The debate is sponsored by Decision 2008: Before You Vote, a partnership of Leadership Florida, the Florida Press Association and the Florida Public Broadcasting Service.
 

MSNBC's pre-debate coverage will include "Hardball with Chris Matthews" live from Boca Raton at 5 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET, "Tucker" at 6 p.m. ET, and "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" at 8 p.m. ET. Immediately following the debate, Matthews will anchor post-debate coverage, 10:30 p.m.-12 a.m. ET.
 

NBC stations WPTV-West Palm, WESH-Orlando, WBBH-Ft. Myers, and WTLV-Jacksonville will carry the debate live, along with most Florida Public Broadcasting stations. The debate will also be streamed live at msnbc.com.
 

For usage guidelines, please visit debatepolicy.msnbc.com.
 

Phil Griffin is the Senior Vice President, NBC News and executive in charge of MSNBC. Phil Alongi is Executive Producer, NBC News Specials. Chuck Todd is Political Director, NBC News; Cliff Kappler is Senior Producer, NBC News Specials.