2008 Woodie Awards
DEBATE WATCH '04
Students gather for debates, discuss politics
Jonathan Montalvo
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: News
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The presidential debates followed by political discussion, sparked lively interest among Citrus College students.
Debate Watch is sponsored by the Associated Students of Citrus College in an effort to encourage political awareness and student participation in the Nov. 2 elections.
"We want people to be able to vote with a clear conscience," said Roger Quintana, ASCC president. "It is important that people debate and talk about the issues."
Nearly 100 students showed up in the Campus Center for the first Presidential Debate Watch on Sept. 30 between President George W. Bush and Senator John F. Kerry.
The television image was projected onto two large screens. Students were given handouts that explained how presidential debates work and what they should be looking for.
Dr. Bruce Solheim, political science professor, and John Fincher, speech professor, fielded questions and comments following the debate.
"The open forum after [the debate] worked out great, better than I expected," Solheim said. "The student questions were tough and insightful."
At one point students even engaged each other in debate over Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq.
Overall, the open forum has provided an opportunity for students to dialogue and open their minds to opposing views.
"I originally came here for extra credit for my class, but I feel I am better informed and prepared to make a decision on whom I will vote for next month because of the debates," said Citrus College student Adrian Berumen.
Fincher expressed his opinion that sometimes too much is made of a president's ability to speak in public.
He noted that a candidate should be judged according to what he does when he is in office and not on how well he debates the issues.
He did, however, acknowledge that a debate could effect the outcome of an election.
Fincher pointed out the 1976 elections when Gerald Ford made a mistake that Fincher said ruined his chances at winning the Presidency.
Ford mistakenly said there was "no Soviet dominance of Eastern Europe" and was bombarded in the media. His campaign suffered, and he lost the election to Jimmy Carter.
The "Debate watch" experience has been good for students and the campus, Solheim said.
"It creates a buzz on campus, focuses student attention on the importance of the election, and stimulates voter registration and participation in the functioning of our democracy," he said.
"The decisions made by our next president will impact us for decades to come. How a student votes in November will impact how their life will be in 20 years."