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Beavers Can’t Wait to Watch the Debates

by Gary Lowder

Students gathered in the Demuzio Campus Center (DCC) on Sept. 26 to watch the first debate between presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Donald J. Trump. Students began filing into DCC a couple minutes before the debate began, getting food from the Snack Bar or eating refreshments provided by catering.

Students watched the debate with great interest, some clapping when one or another candidate made a good point, or stating their disapproval of a certain policy. When asked his opinion on who won the debate, sophomore education major Austin Ives responded, “It really depends; as far as explaining policies, I think Hillary did really well. However if you were looking for the more exciting speaker Trump definitely won that part.” Many students made it clear that they didn’t approve of Trump interrupting Clinton or dodging questions; others praised Trump’s high energy and his points of the U.S. not needing to act as world police. The debate was separated into six 15-minute sections and lasted 90 minutes.

 

Smiley faceAfter the debate was over, students discussed who performed better, and who had greater enthusiasm. Despite differences in political ideologies, many Blackburn students chose to be involved, and watching the debates in a group helped them be more interesting and exciting, but also helped students decide who they might cast their ballot for. According to Gallup Inc., a company known for their public opinion polls, over 63 percent of voters (both Republican and Democrat) watch the debates. And according to the Campus Vote Project, a company that states its mission as “working with universities, community colleges, faculty, students and election officials to reduce barriers to student voting,” adults ages 18-29 make up 21 percent of the voting community. Out of this number only 17 percent of adults ages 18-24 voted in 2014’s presidential election. That same year 42 percent of people from this age range were not registered to vote.

On Oct. 28 Blackburn College is going to allow for students to register to vote and vote for their favorite candidate in DCC. Ives, who helped put together the debate watching party, believes it is important for students to be involved in choosing the next president. Ives said, Smiley face“I know not everyone likes these candidates, but I would encourage those who are displeased with the system to get involved now, take part in this election… and maybe next election we won’t have candidates who are so disliked by younger people.”

 

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