News-Letter

In the midst of primary fever, the battle lines were drawn as the College Democrats and Republicans took the stage in order to debate the primaries' main issues. As part of the Foreign Affairs Symposium, around 70 students gathered in the Glass Pavilion to watch College Republican members Evan Lazerowitz, Daniel Coluacurcio and Christopher Connelly debate College Democrats Jack Berger, Daniel Barash and Conor Foley. Political science professor Mark Blyth mediated the debate that touched on topics like Iraq, foreign policy, health care, education, and green energy. Each panel opened with a general statement about its party's policy. The Democrats pointed to the 47 million uninsured, the growing poverty gap, unending war in Iraq and America's dwindling status in the international community as just some of the failings of the current administration. The Democrats claimed that their party offered presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton - carefully not choosing sides between the nominees - who would restore political leadership with bold new ideas by leaving Iraq behind, instigating health care and revitalizing the economy. The Republicans were quick to separate their party from the controversial leadership of President Bush, with a general party line of national security, low taxes, small government and individual choice. However disastrous Iraq might be, the Republicans argued, leaving the country could only make things worse; national security is perhaps the most important job of a president, and that the Republican nominee, John McCain, was far better suited for the job than anyone being presented by the Democrats. Throughout the debate, many poignant questions about issues ranging from the correct policy to pursue in Iraq to the failing concept of the "American Dream" were asked, but these, unfortunately, were rarely answered. Instead, responses entailed more of a general discussion of party policy on larger issues like education and health care rather than what could have been an enlightening discussion of party specifics. At times the debate devolved into a game of "he said she said," but interesting points were made about fair- vs. free-trade policy and affirmative action. The only thing the Democrats and the Republicans agreed upon throughout the entire evening was how to address the depreciation of the American dollar. Both sides pointed to our failing health care and education systems, but like their candidates none of them had a solution. Democrats seemed to advocate the instigation of universal health care, but neglected the real political obstacles which bar this system from existing. Republicans advocated more of the same by demanding increased tax cuts and the cutting of the inefficient costs of bureaucracy.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools