PRESS RELEASE from the Nevada Democratic Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 13, 2007

CONTACT:
Kirsten Searer
Nevada Democratic Party

Bill Buck
Nevada Democratic Party

Jeremy Gaines
MSNBC

NEVADA DEMOCRATIC PARTY & MSNBC ANNOUNCE
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE ON BLACK-BROWN ISSUES FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE NEVADA CAUCUSES

Debate Sponsored by the Nevada Democratic Party, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and IMPACTO,
100 Black Men of America and the College of Southern Nevada

The Nevada Democratic Party will partner with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and IMPACTO, 100 Black Men of America, and the College of Southern Nevada to hold the second Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas.  The debate will be telecast live by MSNBC and held at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.

Nevada, the second state in the nation to hold a presidential caucus and the first in the West to host an early window nominating contest, was chosen as an early state in part because 40 percent of its population is minority, primarily Hispanic and African-American. Issues affecting these communities such as economic development, education, health care and the war in Iraq will be highlighted during the debate.

With 11 days between the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 8th and the Nevada caucus, the Silver State could be the a circuit breaker that halts the momentum of the candidate that wins both earlier contests; the tiebreaker if two candidates split the New Hampshire primary and Iowa Caucuses; or the validator for a candidate who wins all three.

"Nevada will play a critical role in the selection of our nominee as the first test in the West and the first test of the Hispanic vote," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "We're proud to announce this debate and applaud NBC and MSNBC for recognizing the important role of Nevada's diverse electorate.  We thank our co-sponsors – the U.S. Hispanic Chamber and IMPACTO, the 100 Black Men of America and the College of Southern Nevada – for helping to host this historic event in Nevada."

"We are happy that the voters of Nevada will have another opportunity to hear from our candidates before the January 19th caucus," said Democratic Party Chair Jill Derby.  "I'd like to thank IMPACTO, a nonpartisan political action committee affiliated with the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce, and the African American Democratic Leadership Council for the work they did to secure this important debate in Nevada."

The Executive Committee of the African American Democratic Leadership Council, which includes many of Nevada's Democratic African American elected leaders, has worked since January to secure a debate that would highlight issues important to Nevada's minority population.

"We're pleased to bring this important debate to a national television audience," said Phil Alongi, Executive Producer of Special Events for NBC News.  "This event comes at a critical time in the primary season, as the action moves from New Hampshire to Nevada."

"Nevada was chosen as an early caucus state largely because of its growing Hispanic population," said Tony F. Sanchez III, chair of IMPACTO, the nonpartisan political action committee affiliated with the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce. "We are proud to partner on this debate with these national and local organizations and we look forward to the focus on issues important to the Hispanic and African American Communities such as health care, education and immigration."

"The Hispanic business community is going to play a critical role in the 2008 elections, and as a non-partisan trade association, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce wants to support all debates that promote our issues," said David C. Lizárraga, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Chair. "Small business is the engine that keeps jobs in the U.S. and helps the U.S. compete in a global economy. We look forward to leading the charge for the Hispanic business community and being a host for this important debate."

"It is critical that those who seek to lead our country focus on how to provide equal access to quality educational opportunities, address well documented health disparities between African Americans and other groups, promote economic empowerment among the truly disadvantaged, and create a positive environment that supports meaningful mentoring relationships for our youth," said 100 Black Men of America Chairman, Albert E. Dotson, Jr.  "With chapters, members and stakeholders throughout our nation, the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is proud to co-sponsor a debate for candidates to focus on these most important concerns for our urban centers."

About U.S. Hispanic Chamber
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of more than 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the Untied States that generate more than $380 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada , Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay. U.S. Census data shows that there are 26.8 million businesses in the United States. It is projected that, in 2008, there will be 2.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. generating more than $388 billion in annual revenue. By 2010, Hispanic-owned firms will represent 1 out of 10 businesses in the U.S. and generate over $465 billion a year in revenue.

About IMPACTO, a committee affiliated Las Vegas Latin Chamber
IMPACTO is the political action committee affiliated with The Las Vegas Latin Chamber, which promotes the interests of more than 1,390 members, as well as Nevada's 7,000 Hispanic-owned businesses and 400,000 Hispanic residents. Since its inception in 1976, its mission has been to develop, advance and promote Hispanics and small businesses, and to enhance the economic, political, social, educational and cultural interests of Hispanics in Nevada.

About 100 Black Men of America
The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is a coalition of some of the America's most prominent citizens, whose mission is to provide support and improve the quality of life for African Americans, particularly African-American youth, in the community.

About CSN
Founded in 1971, the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is Nevada's largest institution of higher education and the fourth-largest community college of its kind in the nation. CSN operates in over 50 locations including 3 main campuses and 11 learning centers < http://www.csn.edu/PDFFiles/Public&amp;College%20Relations/CSNAreaMap.pdf> in four counties covering 42,000 square miles. With student success as our number one priority, CSN educates over 70,000 students annually, over 51% minority, in over 100 fields of study offering more than 200 degrees and certificates. Our mission ensures that we serve the diverse needs of the residents of Southern Nevada by responding to the educational needs of the communities and businesses within the CSN service area.

About MSNBC

Built on the worldwide resources of NBC News, MSNBC defines news for the next generation with world-class reporting and a full schedule of live news coverage, political analysis and award-winning documentary programming -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MSNBC's home on the Internet is msnbc.com. Msnbc.com delivers a fuller spectrum of news.  Drawing on its award-winning original journalism, NBC News heritage, trusted sources and Microsoft's advanced technologies, the site presents compelling, diverse and visually-engaging stories on the consumer's platform of choice.

Nielsen/NetRatings reports more than 29 million unique visitors for October 2007, making msnbc.com the number one TV news site, ahead of ABC, CBS, and Fox News combined.

Members of the media can get more information about MSNBC and its programming on msnbc.com or the NBC Universal Media Village Web site at www.nbcumv.com <outbind://169/www.nbcumv.com> .
 

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PRESS RELEASE from NBC

Published: January 11, 2008

MSNBC TO TELECAST FIRST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE AFTER NH PRIMARY, LIVE FROM NEVADA JAN. 15

NBC News' Brian Williams to Moderate Debate, Joined by Tim Russert

"Today's" Natalie Morales Will Also Join Williams and Russert

Viewers Can Submit Questions to the Candidates at msnbc.com and januarydebate.com

NEW YORK - January 11, 2008 - "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams will moderate a debate among the Democratic presidential candidates Tuesday, Jan. 15, 9-11 p.m. ET, live on MSNBC from the Cashman Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards will participate. The debate, to focus on issues important to minority voters, is sponsored by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 100 Black Men of America, IMPACTO, the Democratic African-American Leadership Council, the College of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Democratic Party.

The debate is the first among the Democratic presidential candidates to follow the pivotal New Hampshire primary, and comes just four days before the Nevada caucus on Jan. 19.

Tim Russert, moderator of "Meet the Press" and NBC News Washington Bureau Chief, will join Williams in questioning the candidates. "Today's" Natalie Morales will also join Russert and Williams; Morales will ask the candidates questions submitted by viewers via www.msnbc.com and www.januarydebate.com. 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; Marian Porges is Senior Producer, NBC News Specials.

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