Student democrats and republicans collided last night during a debate that covered the economy, health care, the environment and foreign aid.
Hoping to sway students to vote in their party’s favor, opposing student groups College Democrats and College Republicans argued in front of a packed Susquehanna Room in the Old University Union.
Josephine Chu, a representative for the College Democrats, and John Jensen, chief executive of the College Republicans, went head to head on environmental issues. Chu argued that alternative energy sources are essential to the United States’ stance on the environment, while Jensen said nuclear energy is safe because it doesn’t give off carbon dioxide emissions.
Jensen also stressed the point that we need to drill in the United States and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.
Laura Chaath, a democrat, and Anthony Paniccia, a republican, debated what they both called the biggest issue right now: the economy. Dan Levin, a senior political science major, and Alex Paolano, a junior history major, disputed the health care system. Lastly, Student Association President Matt Landau argued against debate champion Paul Liggieri about foreign policy.
While Paniccia said current economic problems are “all the democrats’ fault,” blaming Jimmy Carter and the Clinton administration, Chaath argued that 65 percent of Americans believe the economy is only getting worse.
“We cannot afford another four years of Bush,” she said. “And that is exactly what John McCain is going to be.”
The debaters also discussed the candidates’ tax policies. The republicans criticized what they called Obama’s desire to tax the wealthy, and said that he is going to destroy small business owners. The democrats countered, saying, “the middle class is the backbone of the American economy,” and should not be the group to suffer more taxes.
Levin and Paolano agreed that health care was an important issue, but couldn’t agree on anything else.
“No way, no how, no John McCain,” Levin said.
Paolano argued against Levin, saying that approximately 2 million more people will be covered under McCain’s plan than Obama’s.
The debate left the realm of politics and got personal when Landau and Liggieri took the stage. Liggieri left Landau speechless at points and attacked Landau saying, “ … you could never pass an LSAT, could you.”
During the debate, Landau warned the audience not to be fooled by Liggieri because of his skills as a debator. Unless he lies about his facts, he has no case, Landau said.
When the debate was concluded, the crowd cheered for all of the participants.
The match had mixed reactions from its members. Vice President of the College Democrats Jon Stockman was impressed with both sides, but thought that the democrats were victorious because their facts were stronger.
However, Dan Rabinowitz, a republican and sophomore biology major, was not swayed by the democrats. He thought that overall the republicans had stronger arguments and seemed more prepared.
“I planned on voting for McCain regardless,” he said.
Both these groups are working for their cause and want to educate people about the issues.
Stockman said that their organization is focused on helping out the national candidates. They run weekly trips and host forums and debates on campus. Recently they went to Pennsylvania to help out the Obama Campaign.
Similarly, Rabinowitz said that the College Republicans “look to spread the conservative ideology.”