Reagan Foundation postpones GOP debate

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., March 30 (UPI) -- The slow start in the U.S. Republican presidential tilt prompted the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation to move its candidates' debate from May to September.

The new date of Sept. 14, announced Wednesday by the foundation with co-sponsors NBC and Politico, came as organizers said the May 2 debate would not attract candidates who eventually may run but have delayed announcing their candidacies.

Reagan Foundation Executive Director John Heubusch said pushing the debate into September would allow "enough time for the full slate of candidates to participate."

So far, only former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty officially created an exploratory committee and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia set up a Web site to help gauge public support of his potential candidacy.

The debate at the Reagan library in Simi Valley, Calif., will be moderated by "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams and Politico Editor-in-Chief John F. Harris, the Washington publication reported. A reporter from Telemundo will also participate.

The Reagan Foundation said it still plans to sponsor another debate for Republican candidates "on the eve of the Super Tuesday primaries."