It's "morally the right thing to do" to keep the debate out of Greenville County, party Chairman Joe Erwin said Friday.

Furman is in an unincorporated area of Greenville County, outside the Greenville city limits. The distinction is important because the city recognizes the King holiday. Greenville's performing arts center is still a possible site, as are venues at the College of Charleston and Winthrop University in Rock Hill.

Furman President David Shi said in a written statement that it's "a painfully ironic development, considering that Furman has been a leading proponent for a countywide King holiday and that the university officially recognizes the holiday on campus."

Erwin said the decision was difficult to make: "It's so disappointing because Furman gets penalized, not through their actions."

Furman is caught in the middle of an ongoing struggle in Greenville County. Hundreds of protesters packed County Council chambers this spring, and about 10,000 marchers converged on County Square in May.

Despite the protests, the Republican-majority council has held to its position. In April, council voted to let county employees choose their holidays each year rather than establish a paid holiday. The King holiday was not among the holidays in this year's vote.

The move has sparked a boycott pledge of Greenville County from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and resulted in four council members being targeted for re-election challenges.

Erwin said a Greenville County site puts the party in an uncomfortable position.

"We really risk losing the debate if we put it on the Furman campus. What might happen is candidates might drop out to make a statement," Erwin said.

Erwin plans to make a decision on the site later this month.

The hour-long debate Jan. 29 will be aired nationally on MSNBC. It comes after the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary, and days before South Carolina's Feb. 3 primary.

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