A History of Debates at Saint Anselm College

Every college has a president. But only one college has had every United States president. And those who wanted to be president, for the past 60 years.

Saint Anselm College has a long, rich history of hosting politicians, pundits, journalists, Washington power-brokers, and presidential candidates on campus. 

Presidential Hopefuls

Senator John F. Kennedy greets students outside of the Abbey Theater at Saint Anselm College on March 5, 1960.

In 1960, then-Senator and presidential hopeful John F. Kennedy visited campus twice; on his second visit, he gave a historic speech about America's conduct in the new realities of the emerging Cold War.

The day after declaring his candidacy for the 1968 election, Richard Nixon's first stop was a reception at Saint Anselm College, where he unveiled his campaign strategy regarding the Vietnam War 

In the last 60 years, additional presidential candidates include (but not limited to): Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush., George W. Bush, Bob Dole, Jesse Jackson, Al Gore, Mike Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden.

Debates

The college hosted its first presidential primary debate in 1984, featuring Walter Mondale, Gary Hart and Jesse Jackson. It was sponsored by the League of Women Voters and moderated by Barbara Walters.

1988 - The League of Women Voters sponsored separate Democratic and Republican debates broadcast by Cable News Network (later known as CNN). The 1988 Democratic forum featured Mike Dukakis, Al Gore, Bruce Babbitt, Dick Gephardt, Gary Hart, Paul Simon, and Jesse Jackson. The next day George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, Jack Kemp, Pierre S. du Pont, and Pat Robertson gathered for the Republican debate.

Candidates for the Republican Party nomination on the stage of the Dana Center for the Humanities at Saint Anselm College during the League of Women Voters Presidential Debate on February 14, 1988, ahead of the New Hampshire Primary.

1992 – Democratic debates in the Dana Center reported by CNN and New Hampshire Public Radio. The candidates included Jerry Brown, Bill Clinton, Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey, and Paul Tsongas.

1996 - Republican debates sponsored by CNN with candidates Bob Dole, Steve Forbes, and Pat Buchanan.
Since then, it has hosted at least one presidential primary debate in each presidential election since 2004.

December 2015 and January 2016 - Democratic and Republican Debates aired by ABC News.

February 2020 - Saint Anselm College with ABC Television Network hosted the only head-to-head presidential primary debate in New Hampshire for the Democratic Party on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 in the Thomas F. Sullivan Arena.

ABC partnered with Saint Anselm College, Apple News, and ABC-affiliated television station WMUR-TV. The Democratic primary debate took place just days ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation primary election on February 11, 2020.

Inside the Debate

On February 7, 2020, the nation's eyes were on Saint Anselm College as it hosted the democratic debate featuring candidates for president. 

Read more about the 2020 Debate

• CNN to Host Two Nights of Town Halls on Campus →
• Meeting all the Candidates; Two Students’ Venture to Meet Them All →
• Saint Anselm College Students Experience the Post-Debate Spin Room →
• In the News: Faculty, Staff, and Students on the NH Primary →
• Memorable Moments →
• The 2020 Presidential Debate: By the Numbers →