Democratic Presidential Debate—Rewardingly Chaotic

 By Ashley Napier

 As I entered the crowded Student Union meeting room on Tuesday night, I was greeted with what amounted to “controlled chaos,” as one of my professors described it. A large group of volunteers for the Democratic Presidential Debate had gathered for this “required” meeting with the expectation that we would be receiving specific instructions about arrival times, duties, and where and when we would be given our credentials by CNN. What actually happened, however, was nothing of the sort. The representative from CNN never showed up, and the sum of what we learned in this half-hour meeting (it was scheduled for an hour) at nine at night was the following: wear all dark colors; the white polos that we just received two seconds ago couldn’t be worn on Thursday; bring only our ID and car keys; and no cell phones or cameras would be allowed. So really, I sat around for half an hour to get a shirt I didn’t need and to listen to others ask asinine or irrelevant questions. Can you say “waste of time”?

 

Fast forward to Thursday. My drive to UNLV seemed to foreshadow the lack of organization for the event. There was an accident on the 215, which, as most of you know, meant I crawled through traffic at snail pace for about three exits. When I finally passed Tropicana on Swenson, found it difficult to drive as there were countless supporters for various presidential candidates lining not only the sidewalk, but the street. In fact, they ended up blocking a lane by their mere presence and forced everyone in the far right lane to merge, resulting in me missing the turn into UNLV. Fabulous. After further difficulty with the female parking Nazi of the White Lot, I found a spot and waited for Andrew so we would be able to get lost together. We began our trek across UNLV and found it relatively painless to get our credentials. After encountering a rude fellow who spat when he talked, we were escorted to “the guy at the table” who had the list of all volunteers. Somehow, I was not on the list. I explained that we had volunteered as a class and were supposed to work in the spin room. Following much contemplation, “the guy at the table” said the spin room might need help (gee, maybe because that’s where I was supposed to go anyway) and gave me credentials despite my absence from “the list.” Oh so safe.

 

Once we had our credentials, we made our way to the spin room. After being directed by a charming young redhead (Derek Schoen for president!) to go through security at the front door, we discovered that people had signs with the names of various political people who would be arriving after the debate to speak with the media. As all the signs were taken, we did not have to be back until 6:15pm. I, along with a handful of classmates, was led by our fearless instructor Mary Hirsch to the Obama Campaign’s U-Haul to smooch free shirts. We listened to the man on the pulpit, got our free shirts and water, and then meandered back to the spin room. Along the way, we stopped to figure out how we would be able to blend into the crowd of Obama supporters and grab candy bars. During this pause, we met a crazy hippie wearing a purple “I’m A Health Care Voter” who apparently hated Nancy Pelosi and Jews. Luckily, our fearless leader had gone to put all of our shirts in her car, since we were not allowed to have those in the spin room. If only she had been with us…

 

Back in the safety of the spin room, we quickly became restless. I suggested we go to the CNN trucks on the North Field to pass time and grab some swag. Although they were out of shirts, we had an amazing time making way more buttons than any of us will ever be able to wear. After getting all swagged out, we trekked back to the spin room to watch the debates. The TVs were on mute for the walk-ons of the candidates because they shot to the spin room to broadcast two of the CNN correspondents. Once they were finished, we were able to watch the debate with sound. During the debate, several of us were recruited to hand out CNN buttons as people filed out of the Cox Pavilion. Christine and I made our way into the debate hall to see the tail end, then were instructed to go to the doors of the Cox Pavilion to hand out the buttons, thus causing us to miss the infamous last question. So sad.

 

As we handed out buttons, I ran into one of my professors, but had no time to chat. I then moved to a different set of doors, and as I looked outside, who did I see but Tim Daly of Wings and Private Practice fame? Being a fan of both shows, I decided to say hi. I introduced myself as a fan of his, and we chatted for a few minutes. He was friendly and quite candid. I was also flattered that not only was he polite, but actually asked a little about me: if I was a student, what I was majoring in, and when I was going to graduate. After Christine got a picture of us on her phone, we headed back down to the spin room. Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and Dennis Kucinich were all there, along with representatives from the other Democratic candidates. It was really quite a thrill to watch their interaction with the press. Christine and I walked around to see who we could see, and gossip with our classmates (some of whom were working as press). I even ran into an old friend who is now working for the RJ. Carrie Washington was also present, though no one I talked to knew who she was supporting. Overall, this was a rewarding experience—from meeting crazy Jew-hating hippies to shmoozing with the new McDreamy (McHealer? McLeave-Addison-and-Make-Me-Into-A-Character-On-The-Show?) to observing the intense media frenzy. No one could who experienced this could have gone in feeling completely apathetic towards politics and leave unchanged.

Debate turns out to be a winner

By Cynthia Perez

First off I have to say this was the first time I have ever sat and watched a political debate from start to finish. I thought it was going to be a very long and boring two hours. Boy was I wrong. I found the debate as a whole rather interesting. Watching the debate made me realize I have a lot to learn about politics, because I really don’t know or understand a whole lot about it. After seeing and hearing all of the Democratic candidates, three of which I had never heard of, I realize that if a Democrat wins next November, regardless of who wins, the chances are good that the winner, as well as the election, is going to be historical. Four of the seven candidates are not your typical white male. There’s a female, an African American, an Asian, and a Latino running to be the next president of the United States.

I was a bit annoyed by the initial arguing/bickering going on during the beginning of the debate, the first fifteen minutes or so, when they were all going after Hilary. They weren’t addressing the real issues. Then it turned into several candidates saying they all needed to focus on the issues, and then debate actually went in that direction, talking about the issues, although it seemed to me like Hilary was indeed a major topic for the debate, at least for the beginning of it. I think she handled herself very well in dealing with the attacks made against her. I think her best line, when asked if she was playing the gender card, was “they aren’t after me because I’m a woman; they’re after me because I’m ahead.”

As for the issues discussed during the debate, I was pleased that there were a variety of topics discussed. I liked that health care and social security were discussed. I personally don’t really understand how that all works, but I do know that I am worried about not having social security, and health care becoming unaffordable for me. I was also interested in the discussion about the war in Iraq. I think having a member of the military speak/ask a question was a nice touch, but I really didn’t feel any candidate really gave a plan with a date to get the troops out and bring them home. The closest time frame that was given I believe was 15 or 18 months. Obviously the war is very important and affects a lot of people, so it something that needs to be discussed. I also wish gas prices and how that issue would be resolved would have been discussed, but it wasn’t.

I thought the talk about the Patriot Act was good, but it could have been a little better. I don’t really understand exactly what it is out how it works, besides that it allows the government to I guess spy on people it thinks might be involved in terrorism. I think the candidates perhaps could have explained it a little more, but then again I’m sure that wasn’t done in the interest of time, and because they probably assume it’s the same people watching the debates all the time. Other than that, I think there was some humor during the debate as well, and I kind of liked it. One of my favorite moments was when the Patriot Act was discussed and Congressmen K said, “I read it.” Senator Edwards also provided some humor. It was actually kind of nice, having that humor, because while politics can be interesting, it can also be rather boring.

Once again I have to say I actually kind of enjoyed watching the Democratic presidential debate. I think it’s important for us to do our homework and know what the issues are and where candidates stand so we can make an informed vote come Election Day. While politics may be boring and hard to understand I think as voters it is our duty to be informed to the best of our ability. Watching this debate really made me realize that my homework is far from done when it comes to knowing the issues and the candidates, which makes me really appreciate having had to watch the debate, because otherwise I might not have. Then I would be like the average voter who doesn’t really know who or what he/she is voting for. I know I want to be informed, so I can’t complain later.

Who can deliver?

By Sara Cureton

I consider it our civic duty to host a presidential debate, as students—most of us fall into the largest demographic of non-voters— and citizens of an area that stands to lose and gain a great deal, based on who is elected in 2008. It is safe to say that we are united in wanting a positive change, and it is a question of ‘who can deliver?’

Though I’m still undecided, it shocks and amazes me that the two candidates who seem to have a good amount of experience and the most valuable things to say go unheard. Trailing in the polls, but clearly capable, Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) recognizes the need to aid our nation’s education situation more than the others and supports stronger continued education for our teachers. Biden strikes me as a “no-holds-barred” candidate that will make the right choices on behalf of the American people.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who began his pursuit for the White House in 2004, had great courage in publically calling for the impeachment of the current president. After the debate, I had the honor of speaking with the Congressman and his wife. He told me that he believed the key to restoring the economy locally, as well as nationally, would be to get rid of the current NAFTA agreement, implement a universal health care program to save employers the expense and to develop a strong solar energy industry. Our reliance on foreign oil truly does not help any cause and going solar would create a number of jobs as well as aid the environmental crisis.

On November 16, the Brookings Institute and the Opportunity ’08 series panelists opened my eyes to the importance of Iran and Pakistan. The experts not only admitted that our oil dependency has a lot to do with the nation’s decisions in the Middle East, but nobody had a fair prediction as to what the current president will do with Iran before he leaves office. As if things in Iraq were not bad enough, this signals to me that it could get a lot worse before it gets any better.

And, for a small rant…CNN or PBR? I prefer neither…
UNLV should be closed to students from Nevada Day recess through finals week and add the news organization to the list of three-letter acronyms that create a four-letter-word-worthy parking situation. Thankfully, they didn’t stable their anchors in the intramural fields.

Great civic journalism opportunity

By Christine Biondo

Last week undoubtedly provided UNLV with an abundance of unique, interactive learning opportunities which I wish more students would have taken advantage of. As a political science graduate student it was a bit disappointing to see the array of political events being offered which were met with such a low student turn out. I am thankful that the media department not only encouraged, but more or less forced their students to go, because who knows how much of a turn out there would have been otherwise, particularly for the Brookings event on Friday, November 16^th, which was an opportunity that many college campuses across the United States will never get the chance to participate in. In a year of such pivotal political events, it is encouraging to see UNLV be such an integral part to the political process.

 

While the Brookings event this past Friday did have its low points, overall it was an excellent event to be held on our campus following the presidential debates on Thursday evening. The ABC commentator was perhaps not the most engaging speaker, but he did attempt to touch on the “hot topics” surrounding our current political environment. In my opinion, too much time was spent recapping the debate the night before which we had all seen or at least heard about prior to this event, and not enough time was spent on the topics that the debates have typically failed to acknowledge or discuss, which are arguably just as important, or perhaps even more so, than the “sexy” topics that have taken up the airwaves. The second panel did push a bit further in addressing topics that are seemingly pertinent to our current political environment, and there were a variety of viewpoints and expertise represented, which always provides for a better, more informative discussion.

 

One disappointing aspect of the Brookings event was the format used to engage student participation and facilitate questions. Some of us students were asked to prepare questions ahead of time and email them in, which is fine, in theory, to assure certain topics are perhaps covered. Upon arriving to the event we were presented with various questions, which I am assuming came from a couple of students who had submitted them, and were told to ask them during particular panel sessions. Having had some of the questions that were passed being my own questions I was not overly offended by this process, but I was a bit distraught that it seemed that there was little faith that students could hear the positions of the various panelists and accordingly come up with questions on their own. I have quite a bit more faith in our students, and it seems a bit more fitting that questions would be formulated after hearing the panelists speak, so they are more fitting to the positions presented.

 

The Brookings event was a great civic journalism opportunity in that it engaged a variety of people who probably have not had much opportunity to actually get to be actively involved in political processes. It also was an event that covered topics that traditional journalism all too often overlooks, and gave people the opportunity to ask questions and voice opinions about what really affects them. Overall, it was an honor for UNLV to host these unique political events in an election year where a lot is at stake and up for debate, and we can only hope that student voting behaviors do not reflect the patterns of participation in the events over the last week.

We learned something

By Mytae Carrasco

The Brookings Institute was a great follow up to the debate. It was nice to have dialogue with people who are really in the know about what is going on in Washington. The panel that spoke covered a lot about policy– something most citizens are not aware of. I think the Brookings Institute was a great way to show civic journalism because people were engaged and asking questions. It’s hard for people to understand politics at times. Personally, I find politics to be hard to follow because they are so many sides to a vote, veto, passing legislature etc. that you can get confused in the mumbo jumbo. I think it’s too bad that not enough people showed up to the event, because many knowledgeable people like Strobe Talbott, Zoe Baird, David Chalian, Kenneth Duberstein, Martin Indyk, Carlos Pascual, and Peter Rodman are people who know policy and know how things need to be changed.

 

I think it’s great that the Brookings Institute is actively involved with Opportunity 08, because citizens need to know more than what they know now. People should be accountable for knowing about the issues that will affect the country in the next couple of years. Since the presidential debates and the Brookings Institute events happened on our campus, I think students should take it upon themselves to learn more about the upcoming election. Whether or not that happened, who knows? If you have been a student at UNLV the past week, then you should know a little of what’s going on at least.

 

I think that engaging people is the best thing to do to get people to learn and take action. The Brookings Institute took action by coming to our school, and some students learned by what they had to say. My favorite part of the debate is in this following link and I think it gives you a taste for what is was like.

 

http://blogs.lasvegassun.com/politics/2007/11/17/brookings-debate-recap/

 

Unfortunately, not that many students showed up to the Brookings Institute event either. More students could have had a better idea of what policy and politics are if they had been more involved in the debates and Brookings Institute event.