Spring Break
Students for Clinton, Obama debate primary candidates
Bobby Pierce
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Front Page
Junior Patrick Frank, endorsing Obama, said that this is the first time in recent history that young people have made up such a powerful voting bloc.
"A great candidate doesn't have to be a fighter," Frank said. "Why can't we hope? A movement of change is a good thing."
Sophomore Brendan Burke, a Clinton supporter, claimed that Obama is a great speaker but one with meaningless rhetoric. Burke drew parallels between Obama and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. A Massachusetts native, Burke said he was inspired by Patrick's oration during his gubernatorial race. However, Burke claims that Patrick is currently doing poorly as governor.
An Obama supporter mentioned Clinton's drawbacks, including that she had to put her own money into her campaign, whereas Obama has raised most of his money. She also raised some doubts as to whether Clinton would be able to enforce her health care policy.
The concepts of unity and electability were a common thread through most of the audience's debate, with some fearing that Clinton is unelectable and that Obama will over-compromise.
Junior Aaron Turner, president of College Democrats, was pleased with the debate and hopeful for the Democratic party's fate in the November elections.
"It was a great debate, I love the back and forth," Turner said. "Only a Democrat is going to provide universal health care and get us out of Iraq."
In his final remark of the debate, Struebing claimed that the policies of President Bill Clinton left the country's economy worse after his term in office as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He also blamed the former president for losing Democratic control of Congress to the Republicans in 1994. He said he fears that Hillary will follow the same path.
Maffie again asked the audience to give Clinton a second chance, claiming that she is a fighter and will fight against "the wealthy and well-connected."
The debate was organized by Sarah Spring, a communications instructor and debate coach. She said that a debate was planned all semester, but last weekend they decided to have it be between the two groups.
"The best part was that the audience was very involved," Spring said.
At the end of the debate, the audience voted for who they would be supporting on March 4. The final vote was 101 for Obama and 94 for Clinton.
"A great candidate doesn't have to be a fighter," Frank said. "Why can't we hope? A movement of change is a good thing."
Sophomore Brendan Burke, a Clinton supporter, claimed that Obama is a great speaker but one with meaningless rhetoric. Burke drew parallels between Obama and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. A Massachusetts native, Burke said he was inspired by Patrick's oration during his gubernatorial race. However, Burke claims that Patrick is currently doing poorly as governor.
An Obama supporter mentioned Clinton's drawbacks, including that she had to put her own money into her campaign, whereas Obama has raised most of his money. She also raised some doubts as to whether Clinton would be able to enforce her health care policy.
The concepts of unity and electability were a common thread through most of the audience's debate, with some fearing that Clinton is unelectable and that Obama will over-compromise.
Junior Aaron Turner, president of College Democrats, was pleased with the debate and hopeful for the Democratic party's fate in the November elections.
"It was a great debate, I love the back and forth," Turner said. "Only a Democrat is going to provide universal health care and get us out of Iraq."
In his final remark of the debate, Struebing claimed that the policies of President Bill Clinton left the country's economy worse after his term in office as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He also blamed the former president for losing Democratic control of Congress to the Republicans in 1994. He said he fears that Hillary will follow the same path.
Maffie again asked the audience to give Clinton a second chance, claiming that she is a fighter and will fight against "the wealthy and well-connected."
The debate was organized by Sarah Spring, a communications instructor and debate coach. She said that a debate was planned all semester, but last weekend they decided to have it be between the two groups.
"The best part was that the audience was very involved," Spring said.
At the end of the debate, the audience voted for who they would be supporting on March 4. The final vote was 101 for Obama and 94 for Clinton.
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