Final debate sways undecided students
Jason White, the coordinator of the College Republicans, gave his opinion going into the final debate.
“Going into this debate, I think Senator McCain has to change things up. He needs to get a few lasting hits in, and if he does, he can change this race,” White said.
According to some polls, John McCain was behind Barack Obama by nearly ten points going into the debate. Now, however, the race is closer with less than two to three points separating the two candidates.
Political science professor, Gregg Kaufman, adviser to the American Democracy Project, gave his thoughts on Obama.
“I expected Senator Obama to maintain an even debating composure and he did. He acknowledged areas where he agreed and disagreed with Senator McCain,” Kaufman said.
White also weighed in on his candidate after the debate ended.
“I don’t think the debate really changed the game, at least immediately. If mainstream America can relate to him, he (McCain) can turn this around. He came out firing,” White said. “He didn’t get any deadly blows in, but I think he injured Obama some.”
Ryan McCurley, a junior biology major said he was thankful McCain finally separated himself from the President Bush comparisons.
“He finally told Obama straight up that he wasn’t President Bush,” McCurley said.
In the debate, Senator Obama compared Senator McCain to another President Bush. McCain looked at Barack Obama and said, “I’m not President Bush. If you wanted to run against George Bush you should have run four years ago.”
In the previous debates, several GCSU students said they were still uncommitted to a candidate. With the final debate over, some voters are finally beginning to choose a side.
Corinne Burstein, a junior, who was undecided during the first Presidential debate, says her vote is for Senator Obama.
“After some extensive research, and studying their rhetoric during the final debate, I’m giving Obama my vote. His views most align with my own,” Burstein said.
Another once undecided voter, sophomore Lauren Manning, is now siding with McCain in her choice for President.
“McCain finally blew Obama out of the water. I was extremely glad that he finally brought out the William Ayers connection, too,” Manning said. “The American people have a right to know why he associates with radical individuals.”
McCain asked Obama during the debate to tell the American people the extent of the relationship Obama has with Ayers.
Tony Griffin, a senior criminal justice major disagrees with Manning’s assessment that the Ayers’ relationship with Obama is an important issue.
“Obama has rejected Ayers’ ideology and furthermore, Obama has explained the extent of their relationship,” Griffin said.
When asked why he was voting for Obama, Griffin said he likes his views and his character.
“I think he’s a realistic person who brings hope to America. With his hope he brings change. His health care plan will fix the economy,” Griffin said.”We’re spending billions of dollars in Iraq. War spending the federal deficit doesn’t even show up in. Obama will help end this war.”
The final debate is over and Election Day is less than two weeks away. With polls showing only a two to three point difference, the winner is still up in the air.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 24 2008. Filed under News.
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