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As I wrote yesterday, I think that it's crucial that when Fred makes the official announcement next Thursday, his campaign also declares his intention to participate in the Sept. 27 debate. This will not only help deflect criticism for skipping the Sept. 5 debate in New Hampshire, it will also make him look more decisive, and create the impression that now that he's finally in the race, he's in it for real. He needs to be proactive. He cannot afford to have his roll out hampered by weeks of will-he-or-won't-he stories regarding his participation in debates.

CORRECTION: I just corrected this post because it appears that the Dartmouth debate that was originally scheduled for Sept. 27 has been postponed for an indefinite time period (if one takes place at all). While I was on vacation last week, Dartmouth announced that, "At present, there are no firm plans for a Republican candidates debate. The College had hoped to host such a debate on Sept. 27, but that currently appears unlikely. However, efforts to establish such a debate at Dartmouth are ongoing." There is, in fact, a Travis Smiley candidate forum scheduled for Sept. 27 on PBS to take place at Morgan State in Baltimore. I was working off on outdated press release that referenced the Sept. 27 debate. I apologize for the confusion.