All of the Democratic candidates for the White House debated the salient campaign issues in Sophia Gordon Hall last night.
At least that was the intent of the Tufts Democrats, who sponsored a mock debate during which students played the roles of politicians.
Each participant fielded questions from moderator Brian Agler, who asked about healthcare reform, the Iraq war and gun control.
Agler, a freshman, kicked off the debate by asking Hillary Clinton how she would fare against a social moderate like Rudy Giuliani.
"I don't consider him to be a moderate on anything; he supports an attack on Iran, he supports continuing the war in Iraq and he doesn't support universal healthcare," said junior Sofia Nelson, in character as Hillary Clinton.
"I've been a target of the vast right-wing conspiracy for a long time now, but I've got my battle scars, and I don't think getting moderates and independents to vote for me will be a problem," she said.
When asked about his recent comments on the legalization of marijuana, sophomore Melissa Jones as Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd responded that he does not support "the full legalization" of the drug.
In one of the many laughter-provoking responses made by former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel, played by junior Christine Mumma, the senator admitted to using marijuana.
"I personally smoke marijuana," Mumma said as Gravel. "It is ridiculous to have people sitting in jail for something that shouldn't be a criminal act."
A rambunctious Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, represented by freshman Mike Steinberg, stressed the need for medical treatment for drug users.
"In a Kucinich White House, we're going to clear the prisons and get people the help they need," he said.
Agler then asked both former South Carolina Senator John Edwards and current New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (A '70, F '71) to comment on civil unions and gay marriage.
Edwards, represented by senior Shelby Deeney, said marriage is between one man and one woman. "I do believe in civil unions for our gay brothers and sisters," Deeney said in a South Carolina accent.
Sophomore Daniel Enkind, who played Richardson, made light of recent comments the governor made during the Human Rights Campaign debate, during which he misunderstood a question and said that being gay is a choice.
"I was little jet-lagged during that debate," Enkind said, prompting laughter. "Being gay is something that is a very important part of American society, and it is something you're born with."
Illinois Senator Barack Obama, represented by sophomore Will Ehrenfeld, said the government shouldn't be involved with marriages, citing his strong religious convictions.
His response prompted Agler to ask Dodd about the role religion plays in his life, leading to a discussion of Supreme Court appointments.
Ehrenfeld, responding to a question about using Roe v. Wade as a litmus test, said Obama would "appoint people to the Supreme Court who view the Constitution as a living and breathing document."
Edwards, with Deeney responding again in the Southern twang, said he "would never ever appoint a Supreme Court justice who would overturn Roe v. Wade."
At various points throughout the debate, members of the audience got the opportunity to ask the candidates questions, although most inquiries were only for comedic value.
When asked by an audience member why she wasn't wearing a flag lapel pin, Nelson responded as Clinton, saying it doesn't "complement coral very well."
Finally addressing what he called the "gorilla in the room," Agler asked the candidates about the Iraq war.
All the candidates explained their respective plans, ranging from immediate withdrawal to slow diplomatic discussions. At certain points, the exchanges got rather heated.
"I was a senator in New York when those towers came down," said Nelson as Clinton, responding to an attack by Ehrenfeld about her support for the Iraq war. "I did not vote for the war."
The debate was also peppered with outbursts from Gravel, and at one point, an audience member heckled Obama on his voting record, prompting Agler to call for crowd control.
"Can someone tase him please?" Agler asked, requesting the removal of the questioner.
