Politics & Government
Cal Poly Students Sound Off on Presidential Debate
It was standing room only as students filled one of the university's rooms to watch the CNN broadcast and attracted a mix of students and professors.
Similar to the world outside colleges and universities, presidential debates don’t generally sway most people who have already chosen the candidate they a candidate to vote for.
A show of hands at Wednesday night’s debate viewing in the Cal Poly Pomona University Library seemed to reinforce this general rule.
The event held in the library Special Events Room #4829 was standing room only for the CNN broadcast and attracted a mix of students and professors.
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Billed as a chance to discuss “trends, strategies, tactics, and factors that are
likely to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections,” according to information from the university, the event began at 6 p.m. and ended at roughly 8:30 p.m..
Political science professors, David Speak and Mario Guerrero moderated the discussion following the debate between Gov. Mitt Romney (R- Mass.) and Presidential incumbent Barack Obama.
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Attendees had a chance to discuss their impressions following the debate’s conclusion.
One woman seated at the back of the room said she had been leaning more toward Obama, but was reconsidering following the debate.
“Now I wouldn’t vote for either one of them,” she said. “I’m just not sure anymore.”
Another woman said she found the habit of both candidates continuous citing of “studies” to prove their point to be disturbing.
That student questioned the credibility of these oft referred to studies because they seem to conflict with each other.
Speak reminded students that both candidates have studies conducted that back up their viewpoints.
Romney seemed to be the winner in this round, Guerrero said.
“Romney had to come out fighting… he was hungry,” he said.
Romney’s apparent edge also follows a general political trend of the challenger doing well in a first debate, said Guerrero.
Three more debate viewing events are scheduled on Oct. 11, 6:00-8:30 p.m., Oct. 16, 6:00-8:30 and Oct. 22. All events will be held in the Library Special Events Room from 6 to 8:30 p.m., according to a university statement.
