From Frist to Forbes, students express dissatisfaction with Bush-Gore debate

Students from across the political spectrum gathered at spots around campus to watch the presidential faceoff last night. But many who tuned in expressed disappointment with the debate, saying the contest did little to distinguish the candidates in their minds.

Nevertheless, Republicans and Democrats alike were quick to declare their candidate the victor.

"I think Gore had a clear grasp of what was going on and the best solutions to the issues and Bush either dodged the question or provided half-solutions to the issues," said Courtney Weiner '01, president of the College Democrats.

College Republican president Michael Piazza '01 disagreed, saying he was generally pleased with Bush's performance. "He seemed more polished, more relaxed than last week," Piazza said. "Clearly, he's been studying and reviewing foreign policy matters."

Other students also weighed in for their candidate.

"[Gore] seems really tight. He's been copping out on a lot of the answers," Andrew Watkins '04 said during the debate. "They were talking about all the military interventions over the past 20 years and Gore said he favored all the ones that were a success for us and disfavored those that weren't. Bush didn't, and that is taking responsibility."

And students were very interested in the tactics and campaign strategies each candidate employed, discussing details such as Gore's choice of a blue tie on a white shirt.

Nevertheless, not all observations were serious. When Bush declared that the murderers of hate crime victim James Byrd would be executed, laughter filled the lobby of Forbes.

"He should not have said that, oh my God, he should not have said that," Watkins cried out. "His image consultants are just screaming right now, just screaming."

Meanwhile in the Frist Campus Center, where about 60 students gathered, someone threw a shoe at the television in response to Bush's remark.

But though students said the issues discussed during the debate were important, they were skeptical about its usefulness in clarifying the candidates' philosophical and policy differences.

At a gathering of a handful of College Democrats, students bantered about Bush's foibles and reputation as an anti-intellectual.

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Talking about whom the candidates would nominate for the Supreme Court if elected president, Carlos Amy '01 said of Bush, "He'd probably get some of his Yale buddies."

Imitating Bush's Texas drawl, Amy continued, "He wuz in mah frat."

And though he enjoyed exchanging barbs about Bush, Amy questioned the debates' significance. "It's been pretty civilized up to now. I really haven't been able to get anything out of this, to tell you the truth," he said.

Across campus in the Forbes lobby, about 10 students congregated to watch candidates face off. There too, viewers said they were unimpressed.

Alex Kobishyn '04 said she "learned very little" and that the candidates were "afraid to say anything dramatic."

Watkins echoed that sentiment, saying, "It's been a lot calmer than the last time. They haven't said anything they haven't said already."