DIANE KNICH, The Post and Courier
The College of Charleston has invited them.
Now, school officials hope the top presidential candidates will come sometime this year to speak on the importance of communication with the public and the press.
Brian McGee, chairman of the school's Department of Communication, said the college earlier this month invited the top six contenders from each major political party to be part of the lineup in "The Bully Pulpit Series: Reflections on Presidential Communication."
No candidates have accepted the offer and no presentations have been scheduled. But McGee said he's heard "expressions of interest from several candidates."
He and other college officials said they think many candidates will accept the school's invitation because they'll be campaigning hard in South Carolina.
The state's Democratic and Republican presidential primaries in 2008 are among the first in the South. Democrats are slated to vote Jan. 29 and Republicans Feb. 2.
"South Carolina is an important state in the primary process," McGee said.
Allstate Insurance Co. is the title sponsor for the nonpartisan series.
McGee said the college will likely invite additional candidates in the coming months.
The series will provide an opportunity for students and community members to learn how candidates communicate with the public and the press, he said.
"The series is devoted to a subject often neglected during the presidential campaign: How a successful candidate, if elected, will use the bully pulpit powers of the presidency to inform, persuade and mobilize the American people."
Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com.
