National Experts Speak on Debate, Campaigns
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THE VOICE OF VANDERBILT SINCE 1888 www.insidevandy.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2008, 120TH YEAR, NO. 62 ELECTION 2008: Check out bloggers’ debate reactions and photos at InsideVandy.com. SEE PAGE 3 VERSUS: SoCal rapper Shwayze talks about his new album in exclusive interview FULL SECTION INSIDE Game Debate brings students unchanged together town hall format. Obama, McCain In one pointed confrontation by SARAH BILSKY of this panel was to analyze spar over economy on foreign policy, Obama bluntly News Contributor the debate and concentrate on challenged McCain’s steadiness. important issues. but drama lacking. “ is is a guy who sang bomb, As a political science major, Senior Alex Beard, chair of bomb, bomb Iran, who called sophomore Sean Topping the Election Alliance’s Debate Associated Press for the annihilation of North said he was fascinated by Watch committee, said the Korea — that I don’t think is an Tuesday’s presidential debate. debate was an important part Barack Obama and John example of speaking softly.” “ e town hall format allowed of the democratic process. McCain clashed repeatedly at came after McCain the candidates to branch out “Debates are important over the causes and cures for accused him of foolishly beyond generic campaign because they help show how the worst economic crisis in 80 threatening to invade Pakistan statements and to instead candidates interact with years Tuesday night in a debate and said, “I’m not going to use their body language and others and their ability to in which Republican McCain telegraph my punches, which is pointed rhetoric to create a communicate their ideas,” said called for a sweeping $300 billion what Sen. Obama did.” lively informative debate.” Beard. program to shield homeowners e debate was the second Topping was one of many “Debates help break from mortgage foreclosure. of three between the two major students who attended the through the media’s version “It’s my proposal. It’s not party rivals, and the only one to debate watching party held of candidate positions and Sen. Obama’s proposal, it’s not feature a format in which voters at e Commons Center on helps you compare apples to President Bush’s proposal,” seated a few feet away posed Tuesday, a viewing sponsored apples: one candidate’s policy McCain said in the debate questions to the candidates. by East House, Vanderbilt proposal versus the others,” that he hoped could revive his ey debated on a stage at Election Alliance and Frank said Lilly Massa-McKinley, fortunes in a presidential race Belmont University four weeks Wcislo, dean of the Commons. assistant director of the O ce trending toward his rival. before Election Day in a race e event included a of Active Citizenship and e debate otherwise broke that has lately favored Obama, screening of the debate Service and a faculty adviser very little new ground for either both in national polls and in SCOTT OLSON / AP Photo followed by a discussion for the Election Alliance. candidate. Both Obama and surveys in pivotal battleground Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.,and Democratic presidential panel led by Vanderbilt faculty e Election Alliance plans candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, take part in the presidential debate at Belmont McCain stuck close to campaign states. ■ University in Nashville on Tuesday. The debate is the second presidential debate of three, the members Stephen Buckles, to screen the next presidential talking points, despite what was — e Hustler contributed to this only one being held in the town hall style with questions coming from audience members. John English, Cynthia Paschal debate, on domestic policy, expected in a more unscripted article. and Vanessa Beasley. e goal Oct. 15 on Alumni Lawn. ■ National experts speak on debate, campaigns by JUDY WANG at a presidential election panel hosted on the day of the much- Academics Specialist hosted by former Congressman anticipated Belmont presidential Harold Ford Jr. and First debate, addressed the current “When I woke up this morning, Amendment Center founder state of the election and what the I felt like I had to pinch myself,” John Seigenthaler. e panel candidates should do in the last said Distinguished Professor included many of the leading weeks of their campaigns. of Political Science John Geer. experts in journalism and Analyzing Obama’s recent lead “Vanderbilt is ranked 13 after political science, including Mike in the national polls, Allen said, beating Auburn, a presidential Allen of Politico.com, Howard “ e Obama campaign has been debate is being hosted in my Fineman of Newsweek and having to shift from an identity hometown and now I’m joined NBC News, Anne Kornblut of campaign to one that’s focusing by this wonderful panel of e Washington Post, Joe Klein more on the issues.” JUDY WANG / The Vanderbilt Hustler An all-star panel of media personalities and pundits discussed the debate and the election at the First Amendment Center on Tuesday. experts. It can only go downhill of Time, Mark Halperin of ABC “Obama’s campaign represents from here.” News, John Harwood of NBC and a multiracial America,” said After being asked what the Allen said, “Because the the fundamentals of Republican Geer was one of many noted Chris Matthews of MSNBC. Klein. “ e white working class McCain campaign should be Republican brand has extra economic philosophy and stay speakers present on Tuesday e topic of the forum, is a thing of the past.” doing in the next four weeks, damage, he needs to return to away from Bill Ayers.” ■ Political protesters gather in Hillsboro Village by KOBI ANKUMAH candidates participating in the Protestors Rodger Clark rights, it is a failure,” said Smith. News Contributor debate. Protestors were also and James Smith voiced their Participants hoisted things railing against what they called dissatisfaction that just two like dove banners in protest of Voices for change, Ralph “the unjust war” in Iraq. candidates were participating in the wars. Nader and peace were among A group of more than 100 the debate. “A lot of young people are the chorus heard in Hillsboro Obama backers, their ages “ e Presidential Debate is against the war, and it should be Village as John McCain and ranging from toddlers to senior a circus, and is rigged. Other known while the debate is going Barack Obama prepared to citizens, were also on hand with candidates are being shut out,” on,” said protestor and MTSU debate a few blocks away. supportive signs. e group was said Clark. student Mike Greer. On the corner of 21st and asking commuters to honk their “I think there are serious First Other protesters were handing Wedgewood Avenues, just down horns in support. Amendment issues with not out an anti-war song set to the the hill from Belmont University Obama supporter Alex allowing Bob Barr and Ralph tune “God Bless America” to and the site of Tuesday’s debate, Eaton said she is voting for him Nader in the debate. Nashville show their displeasure with KOBI ANKUMAH / The Vanderbilt Hustler about 20 protesters used signs because, “More of the same will make a lot of money o the the current administration’s Anti-war protesters line up on the corner of 21st and Wedgewood Avenues on Tuesday. and ags to protest the lack of equals more of the same.” debate, but for First Amendment policies. ■ MILLER: McCain fails to distinguish himself from Obama on economy; the end of conservative days nears. SEE PAGE 5 2 Wednesday, October 8, 2008 The Vanderbilt Hustler www.insidevandy.com FROM THE BLOG SNAPSHOTS compiled by EVE ATTERMANN WEATHER CORRECTION WEATHER.COM In the Monday issue of the Hustler, Oliver Wolfe was incorrectly TODAY credited for the football photo on page 8. Sam Kim took the photo. Also in that issue, Mason Hensley was incorrectly credited for the Commons photo on page 3. Jenny Mandeville took the Townhall, Rabble-Royal! photo. The Hustler regrets these mistakes. Submitted by Charlie Kesslering on 10-7-08, 2:15 p.m. In case you haven’t heard, there’s a town hall meeting tonight (if you can NEWS BRIEFS call Nashville a town, and Belmont a hall), and it’s kind of a big deal. Barack Obama, riding his well-said-surfboard on a wave of populist support, fi ghts John McCain, the dilapidated maverick being nudged towards the horizon HIGH 71, LOW 56 Students sound off on by pundits and polls alike, in tonight’s rabble-royal. Unfortunately, unless Rain, thunder Johnny Boy drinks a Red Bull and brings some passion to the stage, or the Belmont debate Obama doesn’t acts so damn presidential and hits us with some Barack-n- THURSDAY “People are already generally into the election, but the debate is Roll, we’re in for a snoozer. defi nitely causing a buzz.” — Logan Brugess, ‘09 For more blog entries, go to InsideVandy.com “I think it’s pretty exciting. I saw McCain going by last night. After last weekend, the debate is just going to put Nashville on the map.” — Taylor Gerber, ‘09 HIGH , LOW “I’d be more excited if students had greater access to the debate.” 78 56 — Kevin Duong, ‘09 Partly cloudy “It’s annoying that the debate is in Nashville and we can’t get to it.” — Katie Bruegger, ‘12 STAFF SNAPSHOT Editor Michael Warren “I think it’s getting people more involved. Having the debate so [email protected] close naturally sparks conversation.” WHODA THUNK IT? Day Managers — Kaylen James, ‘12 Hannah Twillman [email protected] Eve Attermann “It’s harder for people to avoid the issues, and it’s further educating [email protected] the student body.