Oakland University to host Republican presidential debate this November

ROCHESTER (AP) -- Oakland University will host a televised Republican presidential primary debate on Nov. 9, the suburban Detroit school announced Monday. The Michigan Republican Party also is sponsoring the debate, which will be carried by cable TV's CNBC. State GOP Chairman Robert Schostak told CNBC on Monday that invitations were going out to his party's presidential primary candidates. On the debate's expected focus, Schostak said it would be "obviously about the economy. Michigan is ground zero, metro Detroit ground zero for the state of the national economy." Schostak said he didn't yet know which candidates would participate but said he was optimistic for a good attendance. "We expect to have a full table of candidates running for president," he said. The debate is scheduled to run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. "As an institution of higher learning, Oakland University supports activities that allow American citizens to make educated decisions about the political candidates vying to represent them," university President Gary Russi said in a news release. "We're pleased to host a Republican national debate as a critical part of the broader democratic process that will determine who will be elected president in the 2012 election." Published: Thu, Aug 4, 2011