By Dan McCue

CHARLESTON -- After considering several sites throughout the cities of Charleston and North Charleston, organizers of the upcoming Democratic presidential debate have chosen The Citadel to host the July 23 event, the S.C. Democratic Party has announced.

CNN will be the broadcast partner for the debate in conjunction with Google and YouTube.

“Our partners, their viewers, and the other members of the national media will certainly be impressed with what Charleston and South Carolina Democrats have in store for them here,” state Democratic Chair Carol Fowler said. “The Citadel is a spacious campus and my goal is to have as many South Carolinians as possible see this debate and this outstanding group of candidates firsthand.”

Fowler said this year’s presidential debates have proven to be an extraordinary opportunity for showcasing the state’s diverse universities and colleges. The Charleston event will be the third conducted at an institution of higher learning in the state.

The Democrats’ first debate, in April, was at S.C. State University. A month later, the Republican field gathered at the University of South Carolina.

“You can’t match this kind of exposure,” Fowler said. “It’s not only good for the Democratic Party across the country, it will be good for the future of this state.”

Democratic Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, who played the role of host and elder statesman at the SCSU debate, will do so again at The Citadel, which also happens to be in his congressional district.

“I think the Democratic candidates are going to be impressed with the young leaders they will meet here and overwhelmed by the hospitality they will receive from the school and from the Charleston community,” Clyburn said.

He went on to commend Fowler, CNN and the leadership of the Democratic National Committee for choosing the site.

“In times like these, it is more important than ever to hear the voices of America's next generation of military leaders,” he said.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said the city is looking forward to showing off what he characterized as “Charleston’s remarkable revitalization.”

“Whether it is job growth or national security, technology or tourism, understanding the issues Charleston voters are facing is essential to understanding how to govern the country as a whole,” he said.

The Charleston debate is the first of six Democratic presidential candidate debates to take place in key primary states sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee.

The Charleston event is expected to be particularly unique as voters will be able to participate in posing questions to the candidates via YouTube, according to Google spokesman Adam Kovacevich.

Details on the how the technology will be employed are still being worked out, he said.

State Democratic Party officials said details on how to get tickets for the debate will likely be announced next week.