With Nov. 2 quickly approaching and election fever gripping the campus, over 100 students filled Cabot Auditorium last night to watch Tufts' first live mock presidential debate.
The debate, which was designed to mirror the structure of the actual presidential debates, was mediated by WCVB-TV and ABC News anchorman and reporter Anthony Everett, a Tufts alumnus.
Kristen Casazza represented Tufts Republicans, Daniel DiMaggio represented Tufts Socialist Alternative, and Jonathan Parnes represented Tufts Democrats in the debate.
The debaters covered topics ranging from healthcare to gay marriage, but focused mostly on terrorism and the war in Iraq.
"On Sept. 11 we were attacked by terrorists who declared this war against the United States and against freedom and free nations," Casazza said, echoing recent Republican oratory.
"This is not a war of choice. This war is nothing less than one of good against evil and America has to stand strong against the terrorists," Casazza said.
Taking the Democratic position, Parnes said, "We want to put NATO in charge of border control and that would free up about 20,000 American soldiers to deal with some of the hotspots in Baghdad right now. We need to go back to the U.N. Security Council and have them oversee the reconstruction of Iraq."
"It's a war that was based on lies," said DiMaggio, injecting the third party perspective. "It's the wrong war, it's a bloody war and I think it's time to bring the troops home now from Iraq and let the Iraqis rule Iraq for themselves."
The parties were equally separated in their views about gay marriages.
"I think that a really important part of the Republican platform is that marriage needs to be designed between a man and a woman and the overwhelming majority of Ameri-cans have spoken that they agree with this," Casazza said. "I think it's our job to make sure that the sanctity of the institution of marriage is protected."
Parnes took a different tack. "What is clear is that we need to make sure that [gay couples] have the same legal rights as all other citizens, and that includes tax benefits, visitation rights to hospitals and social security benefits."
"Democrats also support gays being able to serve openly in the army," Parnes said. "I was shocked to see that the GOP platform affirms that homosexuality is incompatible with military service."
After the debaters' closing statements, the floor was opened to questions from the audience.
DiMaggio was pleased with the outcome of the debate. "I think it's great that all three candidates were allowed to participate and get their views out there. In the nationally televised debates, it's very restricted and for me, very boring."
In the real presidential debates, the most significant third-party candidate in the presidential election, Ralph Nader, was not allowed to participate.
As mediator, Everett stressed the importance of getting out to vote. "I don't think there's any greater responsibility than participating in a democracy," he said. "A lot of people have fought and died for that right and I think it's incumbent on everyone that is able to vote, to not only vote, but to be an informed voter."
Roberta Oster Sachs, whose Ex College class "Understand-ing and Creating TV News" produced and directed the event, was also pleased. "I've taught at Princeton and Columbia and I think the students here are incredible."
"I think at Tufts they really raise the level of discussion," Sachs said. "The debaters had an incredible command of the issues. I wish one of them would run for office one day."
