(CNN) – Mitt Romney and Ron Paul told the Georgia Republican Party, Ohio Republican Party and CNN Thursday that they will not participate in the March 1 Republican presidential primary debate.
"Mitt Romney and Ron Paul told the Georgia Republican Party, Ohio
Republican Party and CNN Thursday that they will not participate in the
March 1 Republican presidential primary debate," CNN said in a
statement. "Without full participation of all four candidates, CNN will
not move forward with the Super Tuesday debate. However, next week, CNN
and the Arizona Republican Party will host all four leading contenders
for the GOP nomination. That debate will be held in Mesa, Arizona on
February 22 and will be moderated by CNN's John King."
Georgia Republican Party Chairman Sue P. Everhart responded to the
developments saying she is "deeply disappointed."
"The efforts that Republican grassroots activists put in day after day should not go unrecognized, and it is my sincere hope that the candidates will reconsider this opportunity to speak directly to the driving force behind all that our Party will continue to accomplish," she said in a statement Thursday.
GAGOP Chairman Everhart Statement on the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate
ATLANTA – Today, Georgia Republican Party Chairman Sue P. Everhart released the following statement on the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate being co-sponsored by CNN, the Georgia Republican Party and the Ohio Republican Party:
“On behalf of Republicans across Georgia and our friends in the Ohio Republican Party, I am deeply disappointed in today’s developments regarding the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate. The decision of Governor Romney, Senator Santorum and Congressman Paul to forego an opportunity to address our state’s Republican primary voters, as well as voters across the nation, in a debate just days before Super Tuesday is truly disheartening. The efforts that Republican grassroots activists put in day after day should not go unrecognized, and it is my sincere hope that the candidates will reconsider this opportunity to speak directly to the driving force behind all that our Party will continue to accomplish.
“With 76 Delegates – the fourth-largest GOP delegation in the nation – Georgia’s voice will be heard louder than ever on March 6th when Republican voters in the Peach State, Ohio and eight other states will take to the polls to place their vote for the next Republican President of the United States. I wish each of the candidates the best of luck moving forward, and trust that our Party’s eventual nominee will not overlook Georgia’s two-million plus Republican voters before the general election.”
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Georgia Republican Party Partners with Ohio Republican Party for Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate
ATLANTA – The Georgia Republican Party is pleased to announce our partnership with the Ohio Republican Party for the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate in Atlanta, Georgia. Co-hosted by CNN, the Debate will air live on Thursday, March 1, at 8 p.m. ET on CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International and streamed on CNN.com. An announcement on the venues will be forthcoming. A separate venue will be set aside in Ohio where participants, in conjunction with the Ohio Republican Party, may ask questions of the presidential candidates as well.
With 76 and 66 National Delegates, respectively, Georgia and Ohio are the two largest delegations that will be holding their Presidential Preference Primaries on Super Tuesday.
“I am thrilled that Chairman DeWine and the Ohio Republican Party will be joining us in hosting the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate,” remarked Georgia GOP Chairman Sue Everhart. “With a combined 142 Delegates up for grabs on March 6th, Georgia and Ohio are truly the power brokers in this year’s Republican presidential contest.
“Voters across the country will be watching closer than ever on March 1st, and our Debate will provide the premier forum for Speaker Gingrich, Congressman Paul, Governor Romney and Senator Santorum to make their respective cases in the 11th hour of the race in two of our country’s most pivotal states. On behalf of Chairman DeWine and myself, we look forward to welcoming the Republican candidates to the Peach State!”
“The Ohio Republican Party is very pleased to take part in this special partnership with Chairwoman Everhart and Georgia Republicans,” Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine stated.
“As residents of the quintessential presidential battleground state, Ohio voters have always taken their role in vetting and electing presidential candidates very seriously. We look forward to working with the Georgia Republican Party, and Republicans across America, to renew our party’s conservative vision and usher in a new generation of economic prosperity by fighting to ensure that Barack Obama is a one term president,” Chairman DeWine concluded.
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GAGOP Chairman Everhart Announces 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate
ATLANTA – Tonight, Chairman Sue P. Everhart is pleased to announce that the Georgia Republican Party will be partnering with CNN to host the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate. Taking place in Metro Atlanta, Georgia within days prior to the March 6th Primary, each of the ten candidates to appear on Georgia’s Republican Presidential Preference Primary ballot will be invited to share the stage.
In the coming days, additional details will be released as they are finalized.
“I am excited that the Georgia Republican Party will be partnering with CNN to host a Presidential debate here in Georgia before the March 6 Presidential Preference Primary,” remarked Secretary of State Brian Kemp. “When I set the Primary date last month, I chose March 6th because I felt Georgia would be very relevant on this date, and we will be.”
“Hosting the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate will ensure that the national spotlight shines on Georgia, one of the reddest states in our great nation,” continued Chairman Everhart. “With 76 Delegates to the Republican National Convention and millions of principled, conservative voters, the State of Georgia is rightfully a can’t-miss stop for each and every Republican candidate vying for our Party’s nomination.
“The road to the White House in 2012 runs straight through Georgia, and I look forward to welcoming the Republican Presidential Candidates to the Peach State for our Super Tuesday Presidential Debate.”
Background: In accordance with the duties of his office, Secretary of State Brian Kemp set Georgia’s Presidential Preference Primary on March 6th, 2012. Also known as “Super Tuesday,” this is the date on the Presidential Preference Primary Calendar in which more primary delegates can be won than any other day throughout the entire process. The State of Georgia is allotted 16 electoral votes based on population, and also possesses 76 Delegates & Alternates to the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
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