A number of debates presented over the last couple months show Republican presidential candidates eagerly trying to differentiate themselves from each other and from President Barack Obama.
Six debates ranging from state republican party to “Tea Party Express” debates have been hosted thus far by national networks and by Republican organizations. @@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_debates,_2012@@The debates have centered on issues which are seen as important to Republican voters, including health care, same-sex marriage and the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Candidates were forced to defend their records on these and other issues, such as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney’s state health care legislation and Texas governor Rick Perry’s order to administer the controversial HPV vaccine to children.@@http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/13/rick-perry-hpv-vaccine_n_961159.html@@
At most, nine candidates have participated, and have made a variety of bold statements such as Perry calling Social Security a “ponzi scheme.”
“They’re aimed at the base,” political science professor Joseph Lowndes said about the debates. “It helps the Republican base sort out early who they want to get behind.”
Lowndes said that he felt that Perry’s comments were having the desired effect.
“My sense is these have been very good for Perry,” he said.
Oregon republicans seem to agree. In a straw poll conducted by the Oregon Republican Party at this year’s state fair, an overwhelming 41 percent of those polled said they would vote for Rick Perry. Runners up were Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin with 15 and 11 percent respectively.
Some students have had a different reaction to the candidates.
“I haven’t watched any because they make me angry,” said Jane Jewett, a freshman in architecture. “I don’t want to expose myself to that.”
Others were less opinionated.
“I don’t know,” said Cory Ingram, a freshman in math and computer science. “I’m apathetic. Which is horrible, because I’m a conservative.”
Some students were concerned by the apparent extremism of the candidates’ comments. Chris Bocchicchio, a senior in business, spoke to what he felt was a lack of willingness to compromise amongst the current candidates.
“I’m not impressed,” said Bocchicchio. “I’ve heard a lot of extreme talk. Overall, I feel my party tends to represent the far right side of the party. Republicans who are informed and do care have become fed up.”
Katherine Maurer, president of the UO College Democrats, was optimistic that the Republicans’ comments would aid her party’s chances.
“I think it’s interesting to see that the Republican Party is so far to the right,” she said. “Hopefully it will hurt them in the end.”
The first debate occurred May 5 in Greensville, S.C. Entry was open to candidates who had filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission and who had received at least one percent of votes in five national polls. The field consisted of businessman Herman Cain, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, Rep. Ron Paul from Texas, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and former Sen. Rick Santorum. Since the first debate, Rep. Michele Bachmann, former house speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney have joined in. Only Pawlenty has left the race as of yet.
Ten more debates are scheduled between October and March, most of them in early primary and caucus states such as South Carolina and Iowa.