2008 Woodie Awards
Student clubs watch presidential debate
By: Renee Calder
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News
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See video of the presidential debate parties at the bottom of this page
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While Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama were participating in the first 2008 presidential debate at the University of Mississippi, Democrat and Republican clubs held viewing parties in Chico.
"It's social," said senior A.J. Kuck, president of Chico State Republicans. "It's also an opportunity just to have a better understanding of McCain's policies and actually better understanding of where Barack Obama's coming from."
About 15 people came to the Chico State Republicans' gathering at the home of the club's adviser, Professor Sue Hubbard. Students and interested Republicans eagerly debated and ate shrimp, chicken and salad while watching the debate on the Fox News Channel.
The Student Democratic Club met at Mountain Mike's Pizza, where more than 50 people attended. Large pizza pans and cups of soda lay practically untouched as everyone sat almost completely silent watching CNN.
"There were a few cheers, a couple hisses but for the most part cheers," said senior Aaron Skaggs, president of the club.
The debate gave McCain and Obama a chance to speak about their plans for issues including foreign policy and national security.
Senior Kathryn Johnson, who was at Mountain Mike's Pizza, thinks the two candidates interacted well during the debate, she said.
"This is one of the first times we've seen them one-on-one," Johnson said. "I think it's kind of funny when they take jabs at each other and how they are able to come back without really attacking each other."
Politics are important because they influence people on a daily basis, Kuck said.
"I think we really have an opportunity to set a different tone this election cycle and help students feel like they are making a difference," Kuck said.
The next presidential debate will be Tuesday and the final debate will be Oct. 15.
Both the Democrat and Republican clubs try to get people to vote, no matter what their political party is, said senior Forrest Ohtake as he sat watching the debate with the Student Democratic Club.
"Young people need to care more," Ohtake said. "A lot of people are content with the way things are. They can't see past their daily life."
Renee Calder can be reached at
rcalder@theorion.com
Video by The Orion video staff
Related links
2008 Presidential Candidates
Voter Registration and Participation
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