The University of Pittsburgh might need to borrow some leftover All-Star Game bunting from PNC Park if it gets to host a 2008 presidential debate.
Officials with the Commission on Presidential Debates toured the Petersen Events Center on Friday morning with Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and other university officials, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and representatives from VisitPittsburgh, the city's tourism office, among others.
Pittsburgh is one of 19 cities being considered to host one of three presidential debates and a vice presidential debate. This is the third time the city has applied to host a presidential debate since 1988, losing out last in 2004.
"We hope the third time is the charm," said Bob Imperata, executive vice president of VisitPittsburgh. "It's the type of exposure that we want. This could be our spotlight event of 2008, which is also the 250th anniversary of the city."
Robert Hill, Pitt's vice chancellor for public affairs, said he thought the visit went well and hopes Pittsburgh is selected in October, when the commission announces its decision.
"It would be a wonderful opportunity because of the national exposure for the city, the region and the university," Hill said. "We would be on the national stage."
The limelight is becoming a familiar place for Pittsburgh.
The city hosted the 2005 Bassmasters Classic and the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Next month, the U.S. Open golf championship will be held at Oakmont Country Club.
"So we're used to hosting big events that bring a lot of people to the city," said Onorato spokesman Kevin Evanto. "We understand how to host big events."
Among the criteria considered by the nonprofit, nonpartisan debates commission are venue size, media accommodations, telecommunications, hotels, transportation and security. The commission, created in 1987, prefers sites on or near a college campus.
Evanto believes the community has shown its strengths in those areas through the events it has hosted in recent years.
Rudy Fernandez, vice president of government affairs at the University of Miami, said hosting a presidential debate requires a lot of work, but added that the experience is unrivaled for a university community, especially students.
"It's challenging because you're talking about the major leagues of American politics. You're at the epicenter of the political universe," Fernandez said. "But the pluses are tremendous, especially for the students. They're able to witness something firsthand that's very unique."
The Coral Gables, Fla., campus is in the running to host one of next year's debates. Tempe, Ariz., and St. Louis hosted 2004 debates and are being considered again. Other cities seeking a spot include Cincinnati, New Orleans, Chicago, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Oxford, Miss.
