Many area political junkies plan to watch tonight’s presidential debate, though they offer different reasons for watching.
Some say they watch the debates to better understand candidate platforms, while others say they focus more on the candidates’ performances and personalities.
State Rep. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, said the debates, with only two minutes devoted to each issue, aren’t the best source for learning about candidate platforms but are nonetheless worth watching.
“The debates are a chance to see how the candidates behave when put under pressure,” she said.
No student groups have reported plans to show the debates on campus, but Walker said students should tune in.
“Have debate parties, have fun, drink some beers — well, drink safely — or just have some popcorn,” she said. “Young people could get excited about this election if they were to think about how important it is.”
Students should pay particularly close attention to the candidates’ tuition savings plans and social issues students care about, Walker said.
While the first debate may have struck students as boring, ASUO Legislative Organizer Melissa Unger said they should still listen to the debates to hear the candidates’ positions on issues important to the campus area, such as the cost of higher education and the environment.
However, Unger said it’s still important for students to listen to the platforms and not watch the debates as if they were auto races, where the spectators just wait for a crash.
“People get wrapped up in what [the candidates] look like. I did. But you have to look at the issues,” Unger said.
Jeff Hoyt, the chairman of the Lane County Republican Party, said he watches the debates to compare his political opinions to those of the candidates.
“I sort of answer the questions myself and compare my answers to the answers the candidates deliver up,” he said.
He said he hopes the difference between the candidate’s stances on government spending, tax cuts and fuel prices become more apparent during tonight’s debate. He said he will also listen closely to what the candidates have to say about the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing the Boy Scouts of America to prohibit gays from becoming Scoutmasters.
He said he hopes most Americans take the time to learn about the candidates.
“It’s important for people to educate themselves about political issues, but I don’t think the debate is the best way to educate oneself,” he said. “If you’re waiting until the debates to get your information, you’ve waited too long.”
Unger agreed, and compared the debates to convention speeches that rarely stray from the party lines.
“They’re used to gain votes … and are not always completely truthful,” she said.
Phil Barnhart, a Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives seat representing the Eugene area, said the debates are still a good opportunity to learn about candidates’ platforms.
“The debates show the really dramatic difference between the two candidates on a variety of issues,” he said. “The key thing people should pay attention to isn’t the candidate’s debate style, but what the candidates want to do.”
Barnhart, who got his start in politics serving on his area’s school board, said he hopes the difference between the candidates’ education plans are addressed during the debates. He said he will also pay close attention to the candidates’ plans for dealing with the national debt and changing the tax system.
George Alvergue, president of the Rubicon Society, a Republican organization, agreed that the debates are important, but said there isn’t enough time devoted to specific issues to adequately inform voters.
However, “the debates are obviously better than 30-second sound bites,” he said.