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The two Democratic presidential candidates could be debating in North Carolina April 27.

The state Democratic Party and CBS News today formally invited Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to debate either at the N.C. Blumenthal Center in Charlotte or at N.C. State University, Jim Morrill reports.

The move comes weeks after CBS first proposed an April 19 debate in the state. The Obama campaign accepted. The Clinton campaign never committed.

"We're working closely with both the campaigns, and while we don't have commitments yet we're very hopeful and excited about the possibility of a debate in North Carolina," said state party spokeswoman Kerra Bolton.

The invitations, signed by party chairman Jerry Meek and CBS News President Sean McManus, come a week after a group of Charlotte-area college presidents invited the candidates to debate at the Blumenthal.

In the invitations, Meek and McManus thanked the campaigns after having "confirmed their commitment to a North Carolina Debate."

The proposed debate would come four days after the Pennsylvania primary and 10 days before North Carolina's contest.

Update: Clinton just said on a conference call that she has accepted a debate on April 27. She said that the location has not been determined.

A group of Charlotte business leaders hope for a debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The presidents of six area colleges and universities have invited the two Democratic presidential candidates to debate at the Blumenthal Center, a 2,100-seat uptown performing arts center.

No date has been scheduled, but the debate would take place before the May 6 primary.

"It's just such an extraordinary opportunity for our students and our citizens to see history in the making," said Michael Marsicano, president and CEO of the Foundation for the Carolinas.  

CBS News has already invited the candidates to an April 19 debate in North Carolina. Obama agreed, but Clinton did not. (Char-O)