Oxford in Lafayette County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

2008 Presidential Debate

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 1, 2023

1. 2008 Presidential Debate Marker

Inscription.
The first presidential debate of 2008 between Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain was held at this site on September 26, 2008. National and international media coverage of the event brought the world to Ole Miss and Oxford.

Steering Committee
Andrew P. Mullins, chair Norm Easterbrook • Kathy Gates • Donna Gurley • Andrew Harper • Patricia Huggins • Gloria Kellum • Chancellor Robert C. Khayat • Jim Morrison • Linda Peal • Ashton Pearson • Sparky Reardon • Larry Ridgeway • Larry Sparks • Carolyn Staton • Morris Stocks • Noel Wilkin

Erected 2009 by University of Mississippi.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is September 26, 2008.

Location. 34° 21.892′ N, 89° 31.687′ W. Marker is in Oxford, Mississippi, in Lafayette County. Marker is at the intersection of University Avenue and Presidential Debate Way, on the right when traveling west on University Avenue. Marker is in front of the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts, where the debate was held. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 351 University Ave, Oxford MS 38655, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. University High School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Porter L. Fortune, Jr. Cultural Center

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(about 600 feet away); Hilgard Cut (about 700 feet away); The Oxford-University Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lamar Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Theora Hamblett House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Society Of Professional Journalists Historic Site in Journalism (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Dead House" (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oxford.

Also see . . .
1. Debate Starts Here : the Presidential Debate Comes to Ole Miss. This film documents preparations for the debate, from Ole Miss' application to host it through the infrastructure and construction concerns, ticketing lottery, and the threat of last-minute cancellation. (University of Mississippi, 46:16) (Submitted on April 6, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Photographs. Images related to the debate, from early preparations to this plaque's dedication. (University of Mississippi Library, Presidential Debate Collection) (Submitted on April 6, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Presidential Debate at the University of Mississippi in Oxford

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 1, 2023

2. 2008 Presidential Debate Marker

The debate was held in the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts (background left).

. For die-hard political junkies, a transcript of the McCain-Obama debate at Ole Miss. (The American Presidency Project, University of California-Santa Barbara) (Submitted on April 6, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.