The group Women of the Storm today announced that New Orleans will hold a presidential debate.
Google and YouTube will host the debate between the Democrat and Republican nominees on September 18th.
Group founder Anne Milling calls it a "very exciting end run." After the debate commission rejected New Orleans she says, "We went to Google/YouTube in January of this year very quietly below the radar screen."
Listen to Milling:
The company agreed to host the debate more than a week before the first commission debate set for Oxford, Mississippi on September 26th.
Watch the video:
Milling says none of the candidates have committed to the debate, but she expects that will happen once there is a candidate for the Democrats.
Mayor Ray Nagin says, "We're ready to welcome the candidates to our city."
Governor Bobby Jindal says it will be "an important discussion of the top issues facing our nation."
The forum also offers an opportunity to show off the role that new technology is playing in politics.
"The Internet has opened up public dialogue in ways we never imagined possible," said Chad Hurley, the CEO of YouTube.com. "Now with our partnership with the people of New Orleans on this presidential forum, we have a chance to open it up even more."
Women of the Storm was joined in the effort to bring a debate to New Orleans by Tulane, Xavier, Loyola and Dillard Universities.
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