HU Students Respond to Debate

            According to most Hampton University students, Sen. Barack Obama came out as the solid winner of the first 2008 presidential debate. Despite the initial reluctance of the two candidates to face each other, the overall outcome of the debate was pleasing to most students.

            Senior, Rashad Drakeford says, “Barack Obama definitely crossed the threshold”. Drakeford continued to say, “I expected him to come out [even] with McCain, not blow him away”. Drakeford’s opinion was supported by senior Byron Johnson, who expressed the defense that Sen. Obama gave as “amazing”.

            Many criticized Sen. McCain for constantly attacking Obama through out the night. A CNN.com poll concluded that 60 percent of people thought that Sen. McCain did better than expected.  Although, 58 percent of people felt that Obama would handle the economy better than McCain.

            Not all HU students were satisfied with what they witnessed on Friday night. Senior Ashli Lincoln said, “ I don’t feel like I got anything out of the debate that I didn’t already know”. Students such as Lincoln were concerned because they felt as though the questions asked to the candidates were not answered either clearly enough, or even at all. 

            Due to the ineffectiveness of the candidates to answer questions, senior TJ Smith boldly expressed that he feels both of the candidate are telling lies. While senior, Shanté Steward felt as though Sen. Obama was not being realistic. Steward is referring to Obama’s claims that he wants to make it possible for every American child to attend college. According to Steward, “reality is that everyone cannot go to college and everyone cannot be rich”.

            It is safe to say the word from the sea was a mixed one. HU students shared different opinion in most cases but overall agreed on the final verdict. Many are anxious for Thursday nights debate between Gov. Palin and Sen. Biden. 

By Christopher Swails 

Who Knows Best?

By: Jessica Pumphrey

On Friday, September 26, 2008 Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain squared off for there first debate. As we all know this is a time of crisis for the United States as we attempt to fix the financial hole that could cause turmoil within our country for many years to come.

Debates are vital to any Presidential election for the sole fact that it is an opportunity for the public to see the candidates in raw form. Debates bring a certain spontaneity that helps the American public really decide who they feel can lead our country. So as we venture off into the first out of three debates of the 2008 Presidential election, we must examine who had the better debate.

Barack Obama was in polled by cnn.com viewers to have the better debate, but did he really? I think so. When candidates where asked to explain there stand on the financial crisis Obama’s five point plan definitely stood out. Obama understood the concerns of Americans. He also expressed that our money should be managed in different ways making sure that we get whatever money back and in gain once the market returns. “We also have to make sure that none of that money is going to pad CEO bank accounts or to promote golden parachutes,” Barack Obama.

When the same question was presented to McCain he stumbled and attempted to give light to a situation he and his Republican friends don’t really understand. “I want to emphasize that this is not the beginning of the end of this crisis. This is the end of the beginning,” said McCain.

After McCain attempted to answer the question, Jim Leher asked Obama if he agreed with McCain’s somewhat unclear plan. Obama recognized that the language had not yet been reviewed but that he was optimistic. Obama also wanted the media to know that it is important to acknowledge the failure within the crisis as a whole. “We’ve got to ask ourselves, how we got into this situation in the first place?” said Obama. As Obama began to explain what he saw within the economy 2 years prior to this point it was clear that this candidate had a better understanding of the issue than McCain.

Barack Obama said “we’ve got to solve this problem in the short term.” That is exactly what American’s need to hear. Though the debate went on for some time after, and each candidate touched upon some very good issues, I felt it necessary to cover there opinions on the financial crisis. In my opinion I believe the McCain didn’t go as in depth with the topic as Obama did. I believe that McCain really doesn’t want to accept the Republican failure in this issue. As Jim Leher brought a close to this issue I was a became even more so of a believer that Obama was the man to bring a Change We Can Believe In.

The First Presidential Debate

By Ashli Lincoln

 

Debate or not to debate? Was the question on most people’s minds Friday night. Just days before the first presidential debate, Senator John McCain announced that he was canceling his campaign to join President Bush in hopes of fixing the financial crisis that the country is facing. For a while, it seemed like the debate might not even take place, because McCain said he would not show up unless Congress came to an agreement on the government’s proposed $700 billion bailout plan. Many individuals felt uneasy about McCain’s decision before the debate. Ashlee Pickeet, a senior psychology major states that, “I think that John McCain made this decision simply because he is not prepared to debate against Senator Obama. I also feel like this is just another publicity stunt for him to gain attention.” While some feel like this was a publicity stunt, others felt like this was a clear sign at the similar tactics Bush and McCain have in common. “I think that McCain made this decision expecting for Obama to just give in, he expected Obama to follow his lead and go along with the cancellation of the debate and when Obama didn’t McCain was the one who had to give in” senior Shana Pope. Although many individuals were disturbed by McCain’s decision the debate went on. Many individuals anticipated that Barack Obama would be the one to come out on top, and according to polls he did just that. According to CNN.com, a national poll of people who watched the first presidential debate suggests that Barack Obama came out on top, but there was overwhelming agreement that both Obama and John McCain would be able to handle the job as president if elected. Many individuals expected many of the issues regarding the economy to get answered. “My main reason for watching the debate tonight is to see exactly where each candidate is standing on their different views, I want to know exactly how they plan on reversing the terrible situation that we are in now into a positive one”, senior Catherine Richardson. During the debate Senator John McCain criticized Senator Barack Obama as a candidate who “doesn’t understand” the key issues the country faces, and Obama linked McCain to President Bush on several issues. Throughout the debate McCain continued to draw on his experiences overseas as he tried to portray himself as the more qualified candidate. “During the debate I was paying a lot of attention to McCain’s body language and I felt like whenever he would address a statement toward Obama he would never make eye contact, as for Obama he would look directly at McCain and address the question. For me that shows a sign of weakness on McCain’s half.” Senior, Ashlee Pickett. During the first 30 minutes of the debate, the candidates focused on the economy, even though the debate was supposed to be centered on foreign policy. “Even though they veered off topic I enjoyed hearing the debate about the economy because that is the main issue at hand right now” Shana Pope.

Obama vs. McCain: Round One

By: Melva N. Lloyd

The nation’s most historic presidential election to date has given American citizens more than enough to discuss at the dinner table. Both Senator Barack Obama and Governor Sarah Pailn have dealt with numerous questions about their experience to lead, while many are left wondering if Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, should even consider running the country at his age. With more drama surrounding this election than an episode of The Hills, it came as no surprise when Senator McCain made the decision only two days before his first presidential debate with Senator Obama to postpone the event so he could focus on the nation’s economic crisis. McCain’s decision left most people questioning his motives and wondering if a lack of preparedness was the real reason he chose to delay his debate with Senator Obama. Just like many of those concerned citizens, twenty-one year old Corin Wells was not buying Senator McCain’s excuse.

“I just think he wanted to make it seem as though he was doing the right thing by focusing on the economy and turning all of the attention towards him.” Although Senator McCain wanted to push his political rival to do the same, Obama refused and even said that he would show up to the venue with or without the Republican senator.

When September 26^th did come around, both presidential nominees were in attendance on the campus of the University of Mississippi, ready for any question that moderator Jim Lehrer would throw at them during the scheduled 90 minutes.

The debate, which was supposed to focused on foreign policy, veered off topic during the first 30 minutes and it was made clear that because of the country’s trying times, many of the questions would deal with the turmoil on Wall Street, and the proposed 700 billion dollar bailout plan; all topics that hit close to home for much of the country. Senator McCain made it a point to display his emotions stating that he was “heartened to see Democrats and Republicans working together on the plan.”

Senator Obama holds special sentiment about the fiscal crisis as well, saying that once this is resolved he hopes that American homeowners will receive assistance to avoid foreclosure and if the market returns, taxpayers will get their money back. The Democratic nominee also pointed out that this economic catastrophe will more than likely affect the nations’ young people, ultimately making it harder for college graduates to find jobs because of the slowing economy.

Most voters are looking towards either candidate to make their specific financial situations a lot less stressful.

Glenn Lloyd, a sales associate for Brooks Brothers in Greenwich, Connecticut, just wants to be able to relate to the next president of the United States. He watched the debate to get his own views on the nominees’ policies.

“I just wanted to watch it so that I could see for myself what the media would try to spin in terms of where [Barack] Obama stands. I’m not too much of a political person, but I know how much this election is going to affect me and my children.”

Obama, who referred to his opponent as ‘John’ during much of the debate, did his best to prove critics wrong by seeming more forceful and less laid back when answering the tough questions. Even after Lehrer pushed the candidates to direct their answers towards one another, Obama remained stern and repeatedly brought up the fact that McCain has agreed with the Bush Administration’s tactics over 90 percent of the time. Wells, who is a first time voter, felt that both Obama and McCain did not direct their answers towards one another simply because they wanted to please their viewing audience.

“Before I even sat down to watch this debate I was hoping for some back-and-forth action between both candidates. Obama seemed more personable, which ultimately makes him more relatable and that’s what I want in a president.”

After the “testy” debate was over, the main point was made clear: the nation is ready for change and Senator Obama is hoping that his message will resonate amongst his supporters, “John McCain has promoted the same policies of George Bush, and people know they’re not working. They understand we can’t continue four more years of doing the same thing.”

 

Friday’s Debate Slow Moving

By Septima Glenn

Students on Hampton University’s campus were ready for the showdown between Barack Obama and John McCain. However, many of the students were disappointed with what they saw. According to the Nielsen Report, about 57 million people tuned in. Some students on campus wonder if anybody was entertained.

“I stayed in on a Friday night just to see the debate,” senior Krystle Medlin said. “I fell asleep before it was over with.”

Moderated by Jim Leher, the debate lasted about an hour and a half. McCain and Obama went through their views on the war in Iraq, the struggling economy and other foreign policy issues.

“Maybe I was expecting too much,” Racquel Vassel said. “This election has turned into some type pop culture event instead of election. Every aspect has been exciting, except for this debate.”

Some thought the debate was lackluster, others thought it was commical.

“I was just lookin’ at John McCain tryin’ to raise his arms,” senior Yaphet Cross said. “That’s what kept things interesting for me.”

Presidential Debate

Last night wast the Presidential debate between John Mccain and Barack Obama. I asked three Hampton University students what they expected from the debate and their opinions about it afterward. My three interviewees were Randi McClain, Tristen Graves and Brittany White.

Q: So what do u expect from the debate tonight?

Randi: “I expect to see Barack represent! I know he’s gonna show out and make us proud, I can’t wait!”

Tristen: “Well, I hope Barack focuses on his policies and doesn’t let McCain get the best of him. I just want him to do a good job.”

Brittany: “Honestly, I’m not that interested in the debate but since everyone else is watching it I guess I’ll watch it too. I don’t need to watch the debate, I already know who I’m voting for in November.”

After the debate was over, I asked the same girls their thoughts about the debate….

Randi: “Well I was suprised that the audience didn’t cheer after everything they said. I like that they changed the rules and only allowed them to cheer at the beginning and the end. I also think Barack did a good job, he’s such an awesome speaker. I love to hear him speak!”

Tristen: “I thought it was interesting. I always like to see McCain speak because I never really focus on him. They both had valid points but I think Barack made his points clearer and did a good job.”

Brittany: “Well I wasn’t really paying attention to most of it but from what I saw Barack handled himself very well. I think Barack kept his composure but if that would’ve been me….Wooooo! I probably would’ve went off on John McCain!”

-Danielle Canada

Presidential Candidate

Tiffani Haynes

Presidential Debate

Word Count: 394

 

            On Friday, Sept. 26 all eyes turned to watch the most anticipated debate of the year taking place. Presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama faced off in a debate on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford, Miss. The debate was centered on foreign policy and the economic crisis.

            Yet the debate almost didn’t occur as McCain was pushing for a halt on all campaigning, including the debate. McCain stated that all attention needed to be turned to the $700 billion bailout deal in the works for Wall Street companies. The House of Representatives will vote on the deal Monday, Sept. 29.

            Two full days after the presidential debate Obama has raised in the polls and many students can understand why he’s claimed the lead.

            “I thought Barack did better than McCain,” Benjamin Carter said. “He also was much more respectful of McCain’s views than McCain was of his. At times, McCain was extremely rude.”

            The senior broadcast journalism major from Pasadena, Calif. was not alone.

            “I was looking forward to the debate because I felt it was a chance for Barack to sway the independents,” said Marcus Davis, a sophomore English major from College Park, Ga. “And I thought he did just that.”

            While most agreed that they believed Obama had done well, they all had high expectations for the Illinois Senator.

            “I was expecting Obama to chew out McCain, to better him in the sense of policy, everything,” Carter said.

            Britney Littles, a senior business administration major at the University of Michigan, agreed.

            “I thought Barack would be dominant and McCain would look weak,” Littles said.

            Yet all agreed that the debate outcome faired even.

            “I thought Barack did better but as far as addressing the issues, they were equal,” Littles said.

            Though most haven’t declared a winner of the debate, many believe this debate alone won’t clinch the election for either.

            “The race has always been close. I thought the debate was important but I didn’t think it was going to make or break anybody,” Davis said.

            The race has been too close to truly call anyone a winner, but both presidential hopefuls plan to debate their ways to Nov. 4 to earn the title.

            The next scheduled debate for Obama and McCain is Oct. 7 in a town hall style meeting at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.