Friday, September 15, 2000

Persistence pays off for small college

---

Centre College pressed Bush camp for debate

By Charles Wolfe
The Associated Press

        DANVILLE, Ky. — In the end, it paid to turn up the heat.

        Centre College President John Roush said his small campus may have been able to keep its prized status as the host of the vice presidential debate because of an all-out campaign to bind the Republican ticket to the events scheduled by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

        “I think it sent a signal that small-town America, what happens here, the energy, that it matters,” Mr. Roush said Thursday.

Centre College President John Roush greets a young well-wisher at a news conference announcing that the Cheney-Lieberman debate will be held Oct. 5 at Centre. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

        The bipartisan commission selected Centre, a private liberal arts college of 1,600 students, as the site for a single debate on Oct. 5 between vice presiden tial candidates — Democrat Joseph Lieberman and Republican Dick Cheney.

        Mr. Lieberman quickly accepted. Mr. Cheney did not because Centre was not on a list of debates favored by Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush.

        That changed Thursday when negotiators from each campaign agreed to abide by the commission's schedule.

        For more than a week, Mr. Roush, his staff and many of Centre's students had waged an intense public relations campaign.

        The strategy was simple: Put pressure on the Bush-Cheney campaign by talking about the importance of keeping promises.

        It seemed to be having an effect in Kentucky, if nowhere else.

        Paul Blanchard, a political scientist at Eastern Kentucky University, said Mr. Bush could be hurt if he caused Mr. Cheney to dodge the Centre debate.

        “If they keep playing up that "neglecting the small town' and that kind of stuff, I think that could hurt their ticket here,” Mr. Blanchard said.

        Some Republicans agreed.

        “He has got to go to that. That will have a major negative impact on him if he doesn't,” said Republican state Rep. Ron Crimm of Louisville.

        Democrats, meanwhile, happily fanned the flames.

        Terry McBrayer, a Lexington lawyer who is on the Democratic National Committee, said the best thing that could have happened was if Mr. Bush “chickened out” on the debates.
               

---

Fliers powerless on baggage rules
Tourists spend day in pen over stolen pig
Please don't abuse the pigs
Downtown eateries open this weekend
Sprawl label is disputed
Cleveland's 'Ecovillage' held up as role model
Woman left in stench called eccentric
International trade meeting to spark protests
Adopted teens to be tried as adults
Mother recounts day girl, 2, died
Rising from ashes - again
A busyness dropout
Ask a Stupid Question ...
He's a new man
On The Fridge
Aquatic center plan criticized
Attempted murder indictment issued
Coca-Cola memorabilia a big draw
Event helps homeless vets
Flying Fortress lands at Lunken
Getting ready for Kentucky Cup Day of Champions
Hamilton gas rates to rise 35%
Holdup nets 46 months
In the Schools
Money shifted into sidewalks
Office workers roll up sleeves for good cause
Persistence pays off for small college
Radio airs game prayers
Signs have message for under-21 drinkers
State expands day-care aid
Get to it
Kentucky News Briefs
Pig Parade/The Puccini Pig
Tristate A.M. Report