Spring Break
Campus weighs in on debates
Brittni Garcia/ Campus Editor
Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: News
Since Sept. 26, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain have publicly debated on several issues facing the world today.
Faith Elam, a senior English major, admits she is biased with her vote because she was raised as a Democrat and will continue to vote that way in the upcoming presidential election.
"To be honest, the debates have not changed the way I will vote," Elam said. "But it has encouraged me to vote."
She said she believes everyone should vote, because those who are upset about an issue should vote to have change in the nation.
Tonight's presidential debate will take place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and will be moderated by CBS's Bob Schieffer.
This is the last presidential debate.
There have been three other debates for the upcoming election.
The last debate on Oct. 7 at the Belmont University in Tennessee had a town hall format and discussed issues such as domestic and foreign policy.
Richard Wandling, chair of the political science department, has reasonably followed the presidential debates.
"The debates have not affected the way I will vote, but it has been interesting and illuminating," Wandling said. "We are at a very significant juncture in history, and it's quite obvious that our country is facing numbers of challenges from financial factor crisis to deference policy in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Wandling said for today's debate, it would be interesting to watch for the view of how the candidates will face the urgent issues society faces in the world recently.
He said he is voting in this election because as a citizen, he feels it is his responsibility to vote and hopes more citizens will vote in this election.
Michelle Murphy, a sophomore communication studies major, said she looks forward to tonight's debate since she has followed every one this year.
She is interested in the diversity and how both candidates present their platforms.
"The way they are presented are as powerful as what they are saying," Murphy said.
Murphy said the debates have not affected the way she will vote in the upcoming presidential election; however, it did reassure her confidence in the candidate she is voting for.
"Voting is important because every major step you take in life will be affected by the federal government, and you absolutely have no room to talk or complain if you don't vote," Murphy said.
She believes these debates are important to the traditional college student here at Eastern because without these debates, students would not know anything about the candidates. She said the debates are important and are made for people to understand particular platforms.
Murphy added this election year is very significant.
"There are more things up in the air and more huge decisions are ready to be made than any other election," Murphy said. "The country is going into a major reform."
Political science professor Kevin Anderson said he believes this election will distinguish which direction the country will go to solve some serious problems it is facing.
"People who don't pay attention to politics now are because they are seeing the gas prices, and seeing jobs disappearing," Anderson said. "It is extraordinary significant primarily because we are sitting at the edge of some serious problems."
He is voting in this election to influence policy makers so they know he is observing them and their views. He said he believes these debates allow people to view the candidate's personality and how they will benefit the country.
"Beyond that, debates will give you a sense of how candidates will be a leader and in power," Anderson said.
He added tonight's debate would give some insight into who these candidates really are, but not all.
The last DEBATE
• When: airs at 8 p.m. central time
• Where: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.
Faith Elam, a senior English major, admits she is biased with her vote because she was raised as a Democrat and will continue to vote that way in the upcoming presidential election.
"To be honest, the debates have not changed the way I will vote," Elam said. "But it has encouraged me to vote."
She said she believes everyone should vote, because those who are upset about an issue should vote to have change in the nation.
Tonight's presidential debate will take place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and will be moderated by CBS's Bob Schieffer.
This is the last presidential debate.
There have been three other debates for the upcoming election.
The last debate on Oct. 7 at the Belmont University in Tennessee had a town hall format and discussed issues such as domestic and foreign policy.
Richard Wandling, chair of the political science department, has reasonably followed the presidential debates.
"The debates have not affected the way I will vote, but it has been interesting and illuminating," Wandling said. "We are at a very significant juncture in history, and it's quite obvious that our country is facing numbers of challenges from financial factor crisis to deference policy in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Wandling said for today's debate, it would be interesting to watch for the view of how the candidates will face the urgent issues society faces in the world recently.
He said he is voting in this election because as a citizen, he feels it is his responsibility to vote and hopes more citizens will vote in this election.
Michelle Murphy, a sophomore communication studies major, said she looks forward to tonight's debate since she has followed every one this year.
She is interested in the diversity and how both candidates present their platforms.
"The way they are presented are as powerful as what they are saying," Murphy said.
Murphy said the debates have not affected the way she will vote in the upcoming presidential election; however, it did reassure her confidence in the candidate she is voting for.
"Voting is important because every major step you take in life will be affected by the federal government, and you absolutely have no room to talk or complain if you don't vote," Murphy said.
She believes these debates are important to the traditional college student here at Eastern because without these debates, students would not know anything about the candidates. She said the debates are important and are made for people to understand particular platforms.
Murphy added this election year is very significant.
"There are more things up in the air and more huge decisions are ready to be made than any other election," Murphy said. "The country is going into a major reform."
Political science professor Kevin Anderson said he believes this election will distinguish which direction the country will go to solve some serious problems it is facing.
"People who don't pay attention to politics now are because they are seeing the gas prices, and seeing jobs disappearing," Anderson said. "It is extraordinary significant primarily because we are sitting at the edge of some serious problems."
He is voting in this election to influence policy makers so they know he is observing them and their views. He said he believes these debates allow people to view the candidate's personality and how they will benefit the country.
"Beyond that, debates will give you a sense of how candidates will be a leader and in power," Anderson said.
He added tonight's debate would give some insight into who these candidates really are, but not all.
The last DEBATE
• When: airs at 8 p.m. central time
• Where: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.
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