Student groups hold mock pres. debate

With the 2008 election quickly approaching, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Campus Alliance de La Raza sponsored a mock debate Wednesday between the College Democrats and College Republicans who both represented their party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates

The mock debate was formatted similarly to the actual debates seen on TV. The vice presidential candidates had three questions, while the presidential candidates had a 10-question series. Cardboard cutouts of Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain were displayed in the front of the room behind the podiums where the mock debaters stood.

The event was moderated by Samira Harmon, vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Melissa Skolnick, executive vice president of CALR.

A slideshow accompanied the debates presenting information about the candidates. Each debate question was displayed on the screen while the mock candidates stated their positions.

Tom Schrandt, a member of the College Republicans, and Emily Manz, president of Students in the Public Interest, played running mates McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Paul Ruiz, president of College Democrats and Andrew Grunwald, communications director of College Democrats, acted as Obama and Sen. Joe Biden.

Lara Rausch, president of College Republicans, said the purpose for the mock debate was to give students a different perspective on the candidates aside from what is shown in the news. She said Alpha Kappa Alpha initially approached the College Democrats and College Republicans for this event.

"It's great that organizations like sororities care too," Rausch said.

The audience, consisting of approximately 50 people, became heated at certain points of the mock debate, especially during the banter between the two presidential candidates. Overall, there was a humorous tone at the event.

Harmon said the event was important because it is a great way to get informed and involved.

"My friends, my family and my race are not taught to be into political things," Harmon said. "Sometimes it makes my head hurt when I watch CNN and stuff. This is a fun way to get involved."

Senior Laura Wharton said she attended the event in order to learn about the candidates. She wasn't able to watch the televised presidential debates.

"I didn't get to watch the debate because I had a lot of school work so I decided to come to this," Wharton said.

Although she said she did not know who she would vote for on Nov. 4, Wharton believed the mock debate would help her make a final decision.

Junior Kelsey Lanan said she went to the debate to support her friends who were participating in it.

"I wanted to see my friend's up-do because she was playing Sarah Palin," Lanan said.

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