Dan Rather, Joe Klein to discuss primaries, Feb. 27

Veteran news anchor Dan Rather and Time magazine columnist Joe Klein will lead a "town hall" event titled "Race to the White House: Talking Politics at Princeton University" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.

The event, hosted by the University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, will be broadcast live on HDNet television. It will be open to members of the University community and the public who may obtain tickets beginning Friday, Feb. 23.

The discussion will focus on the upcoming presidential primaries. It is scheduled exactly one year in advance of New Jersey's 2008 presidential primary, the state's first in February. Anne-Marie Slaughter, dean of the Woodrow Wilson School, will introduce the program.

Rather anchored the CBS Evening News for 24 years and is now the host of "Dan Rather Reports," a news program airing on HDNet, the first national television network broadcasting all of its programming in 1080i HD, the highest-quality format of high-definition television.

Klein joined Time magazine in January 2003 to write a regular column on national and international affairs. In 1996 he anonymously wrote the best-selling novel "Primary Colors" about the 1992 presidential primaries.

Tickets will be distributed to Princeton University ID holders from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at the Frist Campus Center ticket office on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Two tickets per PUID may be issued; two valid PUIDs may be presented.

Ticket distribution will take place for the general public from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the Richardson Auditorium ticket office in Alexander Hall on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Two tickets per person will be distributed; a photo ID must be presented.

The event will be simulcast live in McCosh 50 and Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.

Members of the news media who would like to attend the event should contact Steven Barnes in the Woodrow Wilson School's Office of External Affairs at sbarnes@princeton.edu or (609) 258-5988. For accreditation purposes, journalists must list each member of the news organization hoping to attend.

All ticket holders will be required to bring their picture ID to gain entry to the event. No umbrellas, cameras or backpacks will be allowed into the venue.