By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis – Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry Thursday formally accepted invitations to participate in three debates this fall.
The Commission on Presidential Debates is recommending that the second forum be held October 8 at Washington University in St. Louis. It would be town-hall style.
Steve Givens, the chairman of the Debate Steering Committee at the school, says the group's preparation is on schedule.
"At this point we meet about once a month to say 'Are we where we need to be on everything from facilities to telephone lines to press credentials to all the myriad of things that we have to think about for this event?'" Givens said.
There's been no comment yet from President Bush on his participation. But by accepting the recommendation of the commission, Kerry has opened the bidding for this year's debates.
The other two debates would be held at the University of Miami and at Arizona State University.