|
Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
In light of the Oct. 7 presidential debate, The Met brought together three students, one supporter for each candidate and one undecided voter to analyze the town hall debate. The following are their opinions.
Student Panel
|
Chairman of College Republicans Kailei Higginson, undecided voter Zach Ceriani and Students For Obama President Chris Rork watch as presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain debate at a town hall meeting Oct. 7. (Photo by DAWN MADURA/dmadura@mscd.edu)
|
Kailei Higginson, 28, History Major
College Republicans
BEFORE
What do you expect: "I expect a good show from both candidates, but with an edge for John McCain because of the town hall format." "The next 90 minutes of our lives will be dedicated to the economy."
What is the hot issue: Economy
"I think people are concerned how they are going to pay for things and where their savings will go."
Who are you voting for?: John McCain: 98% sure
"I am never entirely sure of anything. It is a problem when you are completely sure of something, and you cannot have an open mind that is willing to be changed."
Who would win the election tonight?: "The polls are saying Barack Obama."
AFTER
What opinion of yours changed over the course of the debate? "I think there wasn't really a sparkling performance from either candidate. Obama started weak but got into the flow of it. McCain looked comfortable from the get go."
What was McCain's biggest Weaknesses: "He wasn't funny enough to be honest. This is a traumatic time for many Americans, and sometimes being a good leader means being able to break through the tension."
Did the debate change your mind? "I think that town hall formats let them talk to normal citizens. Debates are good, but at some point you need to be able to talk to the people."
What would you have liked to see more of? "I would like to have seen more clarification on their economic plans."
Who won the debate? "The clear winner was Sen. McCain, he came off as more personable and less lecture (sic) than Sen. Obama. Not a clear knock-out; a 5-4 win in McCain's favor."
Best line of the debate? "The closing statement spoke to me. The real essence of John McCain came out."
Why did you watch the debate?: "It's entertainment. Essentially this is what debates are for. Since they were televised, it's been about who can entertain the public more. The majority of people who watched will think to themselves 'I heard what I liked.'"
Final comments: "We watched a debate of two very good public speakers. We definitely saw some stark differences between the two. Regardless of who won the debate, it is about who will win the Nov. 4 election."
Zach Ceriani, 26, Philosophy Major
Undecided Voter
BEFORE
What do you expect from the debate? "I expect to see less mudslinging because they are addressing the people they represent as opposed to television cameras."
Hot issue: Economy
"Before it was the war, I think the whole thing that has happened in the last three weeks has the whole country concerned."
|
Undecided voter Zach Ceriani is reflected in a television showing the presidential debate. (Photo by DAWN MADURA/dmadura@mscd.edu)
|
Who are you voting for? "I am 100 percent sure I do not know who I am voting for."
Election held tonight? Barack Obama to win
AFTER
What opinion changed over the course of the debate? "I think they spoke too much about each other and not enough about their own platforms."
McCain Weakness: "McCain did not come off as personable. Although that may be a good thing, it could show a more stoic leader than we need."
Obama Weakness: "Obama wasn't speaking to the people as much, which made it sound like he was listing off things."
Debate Weakness: "Debate did not make any progress."
Did the debate change your mind? "What it did change my mind about is the bipartisan system. What irritates me more now is that we only have two parties to choose from."
Who won the debate? "McCain had a slight edge, just barely. If you were to take it on points scored, McCain was more on target. The points that he made were more sound."
Favorite line? "I liked when Obama said 'it looks like a wheel came off the Straight Talk Express.'"
Why did you watch the debate?: "You go to their websites. You look at what they have to say. I guarantee it is not their words. When you go to watch them in the town hall format you get to see the personality of the candidates."
Final comments: "I thought both of them did a good job, although Obama did not speak to the people as much. I got quite a bit out of it."
Chris Rork, 21, Communications Major
College Democrats
BEFORE
What do you expect? "I expect sharpened rhetoric from both sides. I also think they will be focusing a large part of the debate on the economy."
Hot issue: Economy
"Normal Americans are experiencing hardships due to the Bush administration's policies."
Who are you voting for? Barack Obama: 100% sure
"I believe that John McCain has backed policies of the failed Bush administration past any margin of error."
Who would win the debate tonight? Barack Obama
AFTER
What changed over the course of the debate? "I am more over the fence for Obama than when I started."
What didn't you see? "I didn't see as much of the connection between Bush and McCain as I did in the first debate. The obvious similarities in the plans need to be pointed out on every issue."
Who won? "Sen. Obama is a rhetorical powerhouse, and the policies of the incumbent party are hard to defend."
Favorite line? "My favorite line was when both candidates were asked if health care was a right or a responsibility."
Why did you watch the debate?: "I want to see how it affects the unaffiliated voter. I want to see what message the candidate I endorse is sending. It is important for the average person to get an idea for who will be running the biggest office in the land."
Final comments: "I think it was a clear win for Obama, and while it may not have been a landslide, it might have persuaded some. It was a great chance to see where both candidates stand."
|
|
|
