The College Democrats and the College Republicans convened Thursday evening for a political debate sponsored by the Oregon Daily Emerald.
The panel, which consisted of three students from each group, discussed topics revolving around the economy, taxation, the occupy movement, corporate involvement in government and the EMU and SRC proposed renovations. The College Republicans were represented by Macgregor Ehlen, Nicholas Seymour and Brent Rovianek; the College Democrats were represented by Godwin Nwando, Andrew Becker and Jason Newell.
Emerald Opinion Editor Frank Bains served as the moderator of the event, and spoke in regard to the motivation behind the event.
“We wanted to help the greater good of campus groups and inform students,” Bains said.
A hot topic of debate seemed to be the representation of corporations in government. Both topics were brought up numerous times outside of the initial question asked by the moderator and positioned the Democrats on the offense and the Republicans on the defense in most situations, the ladder of which cited the involvement of Walmart in philanthropy.
Illegal immigration was a hot bed of discussion as well. A Republican panelist, Brent Rovianek, made it clear that he agreed with many Democrats on the idea that children of illegal immigrants should receive financial benefits, a policy agreed upon by certain factions of both sides of the aisle.
A large amount of students were in attendance and were increasingly involved in the debate throughout the night as knocking sounds of approval echoed throughout the lecture hall and charged questions involving topics like the Dream Act and illegal immigration were asked.
In a Facebook post immediately following the event, the College Republican’s said, “I wish the audience would have shown a little more respect and tolerance towards opposing view points, but that is water under the bridge now,” a testament to some unrefined remarks and questions during the student response section of the debate and afterward.
This is, however, a side effect of the main goal of both student groups participating in the event- student awareness and involvement in politics.
“We wanted to raise political awareness among students and inform about the sides each party represents,” said Kathryne Mauerer, president of the College Democrats. “Students need to make a decision.”
Jaclyn Hech, co-president for the College Republicans, said the same.
“With the upcoming elections, people need to get involved on both sides and get interested. We wanted to bring awareness about these two groups and about politics,” Hech said. “We are really looking forward to another debate.”
College Democrats and Republicans Convene for Daily Emerald Debate
Daily Emerald
November 17, 2011
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