University community members gathered on and around campus Thursday night to witness presidential candidates George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry square off over foreign affairs issues during this election year’s first presidential debate.
A non-partisan viewing event held in Lillis Business Complex 182 drew about 200 people, making it one of the largest gatherings on campus. The event was hosted by Residential Academy Director Sharon Schuman and Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity Gregory Vincent.
After the televised debate, many audience members stayed behind to participate in a discussion moderated by Schuman and Vincent.
Several students said watching the debate influenced their thinking about the upcoming election.
Junior Tina Beaver said she was disappointed, but not surprised by the circularity of the debate, stressing the country’s need for more than just two candidates in a presidential election.
Many audience members expressed support for Kerry, but Beaver said she would have liked to have heard more from the republican camp.
“I wanted to hear concrete reasons why republicans support Bush, and I didn’t find that,” she said.
Freshman Nick Swope said this was his first time watching a presidential debate, and he was surprised to find it more enjoyable than he had expected.
Swope said he was an undecided voter before watching the debate. He said he has still not made a decision, but watching the candidates talk about issues made him feel much more confident in his ability to make an informed choice.
“Now that I’m able to vote, it’s important to see what the candidates’ stance was,” he said.Freshman Elizabeth Manelick said there was no clear winner in the debate, but she was impressed with Bush’s willingness to take a strong stance on the issues and stick to it.
“I don’t even agree with some of the things he’s saying, but at least he has the conviction to say them,” she said. “Kerry came across much like the indecisive flip-flopper that the Bush campaign has made him out to be.”
Manelick said the war in Iraq is not the thing people should look to when deciding who to vote for. Although her brother was killed in Iraq a few months ago, Manelick said that hasn’t affected her opinion of Bush or the war. Instead, she said it has only made her proud of her brother and what he accomplished.
Vincent and Schuman drew insight from the debate as well.
Vincent said he gained a “sense of the vision of both candidates” from the debate.
“I think it went beyond the spin,” he said.

Kerry supporters
Meanwhile, more than 150 people crowded into Knight Law 110 to watch the debate at an event hosted by student supporters of Kerry. The vocal crowd alternated between applause for Kerry and roars of laughter
directed at Bush.
Sophomore Cole Robinson, who watched the debate at the event, said Kerry clearly presented a more eloquent case.
“Bush speaks a lot, but he doesn’t say anything,” Robinson said. “I think he gives a much more solid picture of his plans for Iraq than Bush has.”
Robinson said Bush focused too much on Kerry’s voting record.
“I think that Bush is a broken record when he talks about John Kerry changing positions,” he said.
Robinson also said he agreed with Kerry’s message that Saddam Hussein was removed from power in an inappropriate manner.

Nicolas Peslin, an international student from France, said the candidates reiterated the issue of Iraq but answered questions in a more straightforward manner than he expected.
Peslin said Bush’s view that America sought a multinational coalition before attacking Iraq is not necessarily held by citizens of his country.
“America is not seen as very trustful,” he said.
Peslin added he feels that ties between other nations and America will improve if Kerry is elected.
“I know the French people are not in a position against America but in a position against the Bush administration,” he said.
Bush supporters
Members of the College Republicans were among nearly 150 people who gathered in front of a big screen television at the Town Club in Downtown Eugene to witness the debate.
College Republicans Chairwoman Laura Jenkins said Bush “came out on top” in the debate.
“After watching this debate, I think it’s really clear which candidate stands firm on his goals, his values, and what direction he’d like this country to go in,” Jenkins said. “It’s the real man versus the East Coast elitist.”
Jenkins said Bush showed himself to be a strong and steadfast leader.
“I thought Kerry, on the other hand, Kerry continued
to flip-flip,” she said. “The debate really cleared up where each candidates stands.”
She emphasized that foreign policy and homeland security are Bush’s strong areas.
“In general, the topic in this debate was to his advantage.”
College Republicans member Tom Albright said Bush dominated the rebuttals.
“His rebuttals were incredibly
articulate and witty,” he said.
“(He) backed up all of his arguments with fact and did not change his position tonight, unlike some other people.”
Albright said many people underestimate the president.
“People say he’s stupid,” he said. “I say he’s stupid like a fox.

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News editor Jared Paben and news reporter Meghann M. Cuniff
contributed to this story