11/5/2009 12:39 PM ET
(RTTNews) -
The February 25, 2010 "debate" between former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush has been canceled, with both sides taking exception to the way the event was being promoted.
The debate was supposed to have taken place at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. Clinton and Bush would have appeared on stage together and, for at least 90 minutes, would have discussed issues ranging from foreign policy to the economy and the Obama administration.
The event was being sponsored by MSG Entertainment, who hired their own promoter for the event. It was to be a part of MSG's "Minds that Move the World" speaker series and was being billed by the promoter as "the hottest ticket in political history."
Unfortunately, the language used by promoter proved to be too strong, since neither Clinton or Bush were under the impression that it was supposed to have been an actual debate.
"This event . . . was supposed to be a discussion between the two former presidents, and has been canceled because it was not being billed as such by an overeager promoter," said Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna.
"President Bush was looking forward to a joint discussion similar to the Toronto event . . . We agreed with the decision to cancel due to inaccurate and unauthorized hype by the promoter," added Bush spokesman David Sherzer.
The two had previously appeared on stage with each other during an event in Toronto, Canada in May. That appearance was more of a discussion than a debate, with Bush and Clinton being polite and even praising one another. They had apparently believed the upcoming event would be the same.
by RTT Staff Writer
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