Debate Panel Picks Sites, Limits Field

WASHINGTON — The Commission on Presidential Debates has selected Boston as the site of the first general election debate but set participating standards so high that only the Democratic and Republican nominees are likely to qualify.

Members of third parties, such as the Reform Party, immediately accused the commission, which was set up in 1987 to organize presidential debates, of limiting the political dialogue.

The committee, which produced the 1988, 1992 and 1996 debates, suggested this year’s presidential events be held Oct. 3 at the University of Massachusetts in Boston; Oct. 11 at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Oct. 17 at Washington University in St. Louis.

In addition, the commission recommended one vice presidential debate for Centre College in Danville, Ky., on Oct. 5.

The commission said participants would have to pass the constitutional requirements to be president, would have to be on enough state ballots to mathematically be able to win the election and must show a certain level of popular support.

That was defined as “support of at least 15% of the national electorate as determined by five selected national public opinion polling organizations.”