Congress Comes to Campus

   
    The great American game came to GCSU Monday night. No I’m not talking about baseball or football, I’m talking about politics. Twelfth District Federal Representative John Barrow (D) and his opponent in the upcoming November election, Max Burns (R) debated on the stage of the Magnolia Ball Room in the first Federal Candidate Forum at GCSU in over 30 years.
    “This is a precedent setting event that I hope we can repeat,” said Gregg Kaufman, Director of the Coverdell Institute. “I’m relieved (that it’s over) after all of the planning, but I am extraordinarily pleased.”
    Not only was this event an important one for the college, it was also important for the community. When the new Congressional District map was drawn, Baldwin County was added to the twelfth district.
    “It’s very important, for this area especially, since this county, this community and this university have been drawn into a new Congressional District and have new choices to make,” said Congressman Barrow. “It’s been a good opportunity for the folks here to get to know their candidates.”
    And the people of Milledgeville definitely got to know their candidates, and their opinions. The two debaters discussed everything from education, tax reform and road building to homeland security, foreign trade and the War on Terror.  
    And both candidates said that they enjoyed the experience.
    “I did great,” said Burns. “Anytime you have the chance to get up and express yourself, anytime you have the chance to get up and say this is what I stand for, this is what I believe in and this is what I’ve done – I think it’s a good day.”
    Barrows also said that the experience was a positive one.
    “I think it went well. I think the debate helped showcase our different stands on the issues. It’s a great opportunity for folks to get to know the candidates they have to choose from in the election,” he said.
    Randall Savage, special assignment editor for 13 WMAZ Eyewitness News, moderated the debate and the panelists included Bobby Mathews, managing editor of the Union Recorder, Emily Currington, a sophomore and officer of the Young Democrats, Jason White, a sophomore and president of the College Republicans and William Thompson, a senior and founder of the Moderate Student Political Movement.
    Thompson said that it was wonderful that the candidates were debating on the campus.
    “It means that the candidates are coming and they are catering their answers toward the students, which is great because they are keeping us in mind,” he said.
    Kaufman said he was happy to have the politicians on campus, but the students were the real stars of the show.
    “I really appreciate the way the audience respected the level of civil discourse,” he said. “I am very proud of our student body tonight.”
    Barrow and Burns will be campaigning for two more months and the election for the twelfth district seat will be held on November 7. 

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 1 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry