ABOVE AND BEYOND Great Debate Makes Presidential Impression

fter the third talking points, traded familiar barbs, of room for raucous laughter, the presidential debate on and interrupted each other with showmanship can obscure the months October 19 (and the familiar rigor. of study each “candidate” endured cringeworthy But neither candidate looked quite to prepare for what was essentially a dinner that took place like his or her campaign poster. 90-minute improvisation. theA following evening), 300 million It was NJCU’s Great Debate, in “Remember,” Assistant Director Americans breathed a collective sigh which a pair of students—in this of Campus Life Robert Quinones of relief. Yes, the election was still a case Arijean Feliciano ’17, a senior ’00 noted before introducing the few weeks away, but the country had marketing major as Hillary, and candidates, “The views and opinions cleared a significant hurdle: the two Dimitri Lozgin ’19, a sophomore expressed here are the views and candidates would no longer share a business major as Donald—made opinions of the candidates, not stage and interact with each other their best effort to channel the views necessarily the views and opinions of ever again. and mannerisms of each candidate the students.” Except when they did. With less before a large—and very partisan— Very true. After the debate, than two weeks before Election crowd of University students, faculty, Quinones confided that Trump was a Day, Clinton and Trump took to the and staff. particularly tough role to cast. As the podium in NJCU’s Gilligan Student Sponsored by the Office of Campus real ’s campaign grew Union to cross swords one last time. Life, The Great Debate has been a more divisive, a couple of student The Donald sported his defiant once-every-four-year tradition at pseudo Trumps begged off, citing lower lip and aggressive comb-over. NJCU since 2004 when their discomfort with the candidate’s Hillary rocked her iconic power challenged George W. Bush. While talking points. Logzin wasn’t crazy pantsuit. They punched their familiar the event predictably leaves plenty about some of Trump’s positions

24 • NJCU Magazine • Winter 2017 ABOVE AND BEYOND

Debate

Arijean Feliciano ’17 and Dimitri Lozgin ‘19 embrace their political personas.

either, but The Show Must Go On. stage by a squad of officious student to a boisterous crowd member, he He took on the role with enthusiasm, Secret Service agents. nodded with satisfaction. “Always creating a Trump that was at The debate was moderated by feel free to applaud whenever once familiar, but not cartoonish. Jersey City Councilman at Large I speak.” Feliciano, on the other hand, had no Daniel Rivera—whose introduction After the debate concluded, all such disconnect between the words by Quinones was dismissed by in attendance filled out ballots to she spoke and her personal beliefs; Lozgin/Trump (“Wrong!”)—and determine the winner. The vote fell over the summer she was a DNC covered a wide spectrum of national decisively in Clinton’s favor. volunteer as well as an attendee at the and international topics such as Quinones was pleased with the Democratic National Convention in immigration reform, ISIS, gun whole experience. “The Great Debate Philadelphia. control, and prescription drug costs. is a fantastic way for the students to Both Logzin and Feliciano In addition to well-trod policy assess the candidates and see what were aided by a faculty “campaign positions, the candidates also they stand for,” he noted. “I wish we manager,” to help them stay on managed a few zingers. When Lozgin/ could do it more often than every message. Associate Professor of Trump tried to throw some shade four years.” Business Wanda Rutledge served on Feliciano/Clinton’s marriage, for In fact, the Office of Campus the Clinton camp and Sports example, she shot back, “I didn’t give Life is planning to do just that. New Information Director Ira Thor up [on my marriage] when things got Jersey will have its gubernatorial advised Trump. Also, to add that tough—or when I got bored.” election in 2017; as soon as the extra layer of authenticity to the Lozgin/Trump similarly never Democratic and Republican proceedings, both Clinton and shied away from his doppelganger’s candidates are announced, NJCU will Trump were escorted to the debate showboating instincts. In response be ready. NJCU

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