by Lauren DiTullio, News Staff
Political parties will face off on campus tonight when the Northeastern University College Democrats and the Northeastern University College Republicans debate.
Topics will include foreign policy with regards to Iran, private school vouchers, immigration reform and campaign finance. It is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. in 305 Shillman Hall.
“We wanted to come up with topics that are really important that have been really overlooked,” said Michael Sabo, president of the Northeastern University College Republicans. He said the topics had been decided in a meeting between executive members of both clubs.
“It was a very active discussion with members of both groups, and then we finally arrived at the four topics that we thought would be most relevant and engaging to students,” said Jason Palitsch, president of the College Democrats.
Sabo said in order to avoid long and scripted speeches from both sides, this year it will be less of a prepared debate and include more audience participation than in years past. The Facebook event notice urges guests to come prepared with questions.
“I would [take the opportunity to speak up], without a doubt, but it is the Republican and Democrat debate,” said freshman psychology major Theresa Roeder. “I don’t think the focus should be on the audience’s opinions and ideas.”
Sabo said the format for the debate will begin with an opening statement from each side. Then there will be a period of open questioning from the audience, followed by each party’s response.
The College Democrats will be holding a rally prior to the debate in 458 Richards. Palitsch said they began this tradition to foster enthusiasm in club members.
“Both groups get a good amount of people,” said Palitsch. “People get really excited on both sides.”
This is the third debate between the two clubs in the past three years.
Roeder, who is a registered democrat, expressed interest in debating about Iran. However, she found the idea of debating campaign contributions to be “irrelevant and unnecessary.”
The most recent debate, which occurred last semester, included topics such as the stimulus package and health care reform.
“We’re looking forward to a lot of good discussion … and we hope a lot of people will come,” Sabo said. “We think it’s really important that students be informed about these issues, be able to listen to both sides, and decide how they feel.”
