ST. LOUIS, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The red carpet and blue curtains for the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis are just the start of $1.25 million in preparations.
The university and local sponsors are footing the bill to host President George Bush and Democrat Presidential Candidate John Kerry in a Friday town-hall format debate on domestic and economic issues.
The Commission on Public Debates requires hosting institutions to contribute $750,000. Four sponsors -- A.G. Edwards, the Bank of America. BJC HealthCare and Emerson - each donated about $150,000, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said.
Washington University spent $500,000 for anticipated expenses beyond the 1,600 new voice and data lines, 1,500 temporary phone numbers and 53 miles of fiber-optic cable.
The university had to install powerful new giant cooling ducts to keep the venue at the required 65 degrees so neither candidate perspires before millions of voters watching at home.
The second presidential debate will be moderated by Charles Gibson, host of ABC's "Good Morning America" program.
