2008 Dem Presidential Candidate Debate Thursday on MSNBC

All eight Democratic candidates for president will debate on Thursday at an event, organized by the South Carolina Democratic Party, to be held at the historic Martin Luther King, Jr., Theater at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. The debate is set to air on MSNBC cable on April 26th from 5:00 to 6:30 PM MDT, moderated by NBC News anchor Brian Williams. It will also be streamed live on MSNBC.com. Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Mike Gravel have all confirmed their participation. Click for MSNBC debate coverage.

According to Reuters, "The debate kicks off three days of political activity in South Carolina. On Friday, most candidates will attend a state party dinner and the annual fish fry hosted by Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state's most prominent black politician. On Saturday, some candidates will address the state party convention."

On the eve of the Democratic Party events, South Carolina lawmakers are urging candidates to release their comprehensive energy plans and make discussion of energy policies a top priorty.

South Carolina will hold the first Democratic primary contest in the South in January 2008, following Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire.

An article by Adam Nagourney of the New York Times describes the crush of invitations to presidential candidate forums and debates being received by candidates of both parties, and efforts being made to coordinate a reasonable schedule:

After a private dinner of Democratic campaign managers at a Washington steakhouse last month with Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, the party agreed that starting in July it would limit debates to one a month through the end of the year. Dean, blocking for his candidates, will choose the sponsors.

... "The DNC should stand firm and demand as many debates as possible," said Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who is seeking the Democratic nomination. "This is one way there is equity in this presidential process because they are several candidates with alarmingly more money and resources than everyone else."