First presidential debate moves from Notre Dame to Case Western due to COVID-19

The first presidential debate in September moved from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., To Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

The move came after the Rev. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame, announced that the school would withdraw as host of the debate, saying the required heavy health precautions would interfere with students’ education.

“I am grateful to the many members of the university community who have dedicated countless hours to planning this event, and to the leadership of the Presidential Debate Commission for their professionalism and understanding,” Jenkins said in a statement. “But in the end, the limitations that the coronavirus pandemic imposed on the event, as understandable and necessary as they are, have led us to withdraw.”

Instead, the debate on September 29 between President TrumpDonald John Trump Biden to pay tribute to Lewis on Capitol Hill Monday. Cotton asked for comments on slavery in criticism of the 1619 Draft Congress slated for disorderly COVID-19 talks on a tight deadline. and presumed Democratic candidate Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden to pay tribute to Lewis on Capitol Hill on Monday Trump lashes out at the Reagan Foundation after fundraising request Trump’s approval of coronavirus management reaches a new low level MORE It will take place at the Case Western and Cleveland Clinic Health Education Campus.

Case Western officials said the school’s partnership with the Cleveland Clinic will make the event more feasible during a pandemic.

The debate will take place inside the 477,000-square-foot Samson Pavilion, which was built in 2019 on the 11-acre campus for the university’s medical, nursing, and dental schools. Organizers are establishing risk mitigation procedures now and have not yet determined if there will be a hearing.

“We are honored to host this presidential debate on our shared health education campus,” said Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic and Case Western President Barbara Snyder in a joint statement. . “This pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of medical care and scientific discovery in unprecedented ways. Having presidential candidates discuss these issues in our innovative learning space represents a great opportunity for both institutions, and for our entire region. ”

There are three presidential debates scheduled for this fall on September 29, October 15 and 22.