Belmont presidential debate collection 2007-2009 (bulk 2008)
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Access to large debate banner is restricted due to its size, composition, and condition. Images of similar banners and logos appear in programs and elsewhere throughout the collection, and should be used in lieu of the original banner.

Folders 8 & 9 in Box 2 are duplicates and should not be used by researchers.

Scope and content: A variety of materials concerning the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate between Republican candidate John McCain and Democratic candidate Barack Obama held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 7, 2008. Items include numerous materials relating to the university and city's roles in hosting and promoting the debate, including reports, programs, special events, publicity materials, corporate sponsorships, community engagement, and tourism. Also included is a DVD of the debate, as well as a transcript. There is a variety of miscellaneous flyers and information sheets from the local Democratic party headquarters, including biographical and policy information on Barack Obama; voters' rights information; events to promote and motivate Obama supporters; and satirical Bingo cards to be used during the debate, based upon statements made by Republican candidate John McCain. Other items relate to special country music events held to coincide with the debate, and information and small examples of a few specially commissioned works by visual artists Phil Ponder, Jorge Arrieta, and Robert Grossman, as well as one large poster by Grossman.

Box 1 materials (22 folders) include: Belmont University president's report (2007); "Belmont Debate '08" window cling with cover letter; Circle magazine (Spring 2008); debate programs; guide to Belmont and Nashville; debate transcript; "Debate '08" window cling shaped like state of Tennessee; press kit star; electronic press kit (on CD-ROM); volunteer badges. Small business promotional items (flyers, ads, labels, etc.) from: Levy's Clothier; Macy's; Polar Technology (carbon footprint credit); Goo Goo Cluster by Standard Candy Company; Hatch Show Print; HCA notepad. Debate report from Belmont; Phil Ponder print, "08 Town Hall Presidential Debate"; Jorge Arrieta and Robert Grossman artist profiles, with illustrations of their work; Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau guides; programs from Grand Ole Opry performance (Oct. 5, 2008) and Bluegrass Fan Fest (Oct. 3-5, 2008); "Life is a Gift" brochure (Belmont president Bob Fisher's book about Alive Hospice); variety of items from Nashville Democratic party headquarters. [Nashville Republican party headquarters had only candidate signs available, and did not have comparable miscellaneous flyers as did the Democrats.] A video DVD of the debate, produced by C-SPAN, is also included in the collection.

Box 2 materials (9 folders) include: Hatch Show Print "2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate"; Tennesseean newspaper coverage of the debate; Obama and McCain campaign signs; poster for "Debate, Dissent and Dialogue" symposium at Belmont; promotional poster for "Two Journeys, One Destination" Frontline PBS television program.

Drawer K-4 folder 20 contains: "Nashville Hoedown Showdown" poster by Robert Grossman, specially commissioned by the Arts Company depicting Obama, McCain, and Brokaw playing music in a competitive fashion, as if at a barn dance. A smaller version of this same poster can be found on the artist profile card for Grossman in box 1 of the collection, and should be referred to in lieu of accessing the poster, when possible.

Safe Room materials include: commemorative tote bag, with two souvenir pins; and large (20 in. x 60 in.) vinyl coated banner. Banner requires Special Collections Division manager's permission for access, due to its complicated storage and preservation issues. Images of this banner can be found throughout the print materials contained in the collection, so access to the banner itself should not be necessary.

Cite as: [item description], Belmont Presidential Debate Collection, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

Nashville Public Library does not have intellectual property rights to these materials. This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

Belmont University, Office of University Marketing and Special Initiatives;,Gift;,2008.,Acc. 2008.063.

The Arts Company;,Gift;,2009.,Acc. 2009.005.

Alice Swanson;,Gift;,2008.,Acc. 2008.062.

Hatch Show Print;,Gift;,2008.,Acc. 2008.047.

Pickups by NPL staff;,2008-2009.,Acc. 2008.001 and 2009.001.

C-SPAN;,Purchase;,2008.

Belmont University hosted the 2008 presidential debate between Republican candidate Senator John McCain and Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama on October 7, 2008. NBC television news anchor, Tom Brokaw, served as moderator. The debate was sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The second in a series of three debates, it was the only debate organized in a town hall style format. The subject matter was domestic and foreign policy. Approximately 80 voters from the Nashville area identified by the Gallup Organization as "independent" or "undecided" were on-site in the audience and submitted questions prior to the debate. Some questions had also been submitted online by other voters from around the country prior to the debate. Moderator Tom Brokaw selected the questions to be posed to the candidates.

Belmont University had prepared for this event for nearly a year, announcing its selection as a venue in November 2007. Noteworthy as the first presidential debate to be held in Tennessee, Belmont and Nashville capitalized on the event, hosting nearly 100 programs for the university and community related to politics and civiic engagement.

In English

Multiple donors contributed to this collection. Collection artifically assembled by staff of the Special Collections Division of the Nashville Public Library.

Process;,2014;,Linda Barnickel.

No further accruals are expected.