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Miami University students debated on behalf of Democratic nominees in anticipation of Ohio's March 4 primary.
Students for Barack Obama and Students for Hillary Clinton filled Laws 100 Thursday night for a debate between the heads of their respective organizations. The end vote resulted in a close win for Obama with 101 votes in his favor and 94 for Clinton.
The debate touched on subjects of electability, health care policies and the candidates' plans for Iraq.
"Change is coming," said senior Mike Maffie of Students for Hillary. "Jan. 20 (2009, the last day President Bush is in office) is not that far away."
Maffie argued that the primary is between a good candidate, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), and a great candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.).
He called Obama divisive, and claimed that he will be swiftboated like John Kerry was in 2004, when a conservative political group left a lasting impression on the voting public with harsh ads criticizing Kerry's military record.
When sophomore Paul Struebing, representing Students for Obama, asked how Obama would be swiftboated but not Clinton, Maffie cited Clinton's experience.
"She has defined herself as a fighter," Maffie said. "Obama has not been tested by negative criticism."
Struebing then got his chance to argue for Obama, calling him the candidate of hope. He said that there isn't a great deal of policy difference between the two candidates, but that Obama can move beyond left and right politics in order to move forward.
Struebing also said that Obama is a unique candidate in that he is not taking money from federal lobbyists or political action committees.
However, Maffie criticized Obama's claim to unify America.
"His vision of unity is vague, and he will have to compromise," Maffie said. "How will he unify America on Iraq? How will he unify America on health care? How will he unify America on social issues like gay rights?"
Maffie cited Clinton's endorsement by 27 flag-rank military officials as one reason she stands out. Maffie also said that job creation is of utmost importance to college students, and that Clinton has a policy to create "green collar" jobs, which are related to environmentally friendly work.
"All I am asking for, all Hillary is asking for, is to give her a second look," Maffie said as he closed his first argument.
After the two students were finished with the first part of the debate, the floor was opened to audience members.
Junior Patrick Frank, endorsing Obama, said that this is the first time in recent history that young people have made up such a powerful voting bloc.
"A great candidate doesn't have to be a fighter," Frank said. "Why can't we hope? A movement of change is a good thing."
Sophomore Brendan Burke, a Clinton supporter, claimed that Obama is a great speaker but one with meaningless rhetoric. Burke drew parallels between Obama and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. A Massachusetts native, Burke said he was inspired by Patrick's oration during his gubernatorial race. However, Burke claims that Patrick is currently doing poorly as governor.
An Obama supporter mentioned Clinton's drawbacks, including that she had to put her own money into her campaign, whereas Obama has raised most of his money. She also raised some doubts as to whether Clinton would be able to enforce her health care policy.
The concepts of unity and electability were a common thread through most of the audience's debate, with some fearing that Clinton is unelectable and that Obama will over-compromise.
Junior Aaron Turner, president of College Democrats, was pleased with the debate and hopeful for the Democratic party's fate in the November elections.
"It was a great debate, I love the back and forth," Turner said. "Only a Democrat is going to provide universal health care and get us out of Iraq."
In his final remark of the debate, Struebing claimed that the policies of President Bill Clinton left the country's economy worse after his term in office as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He also blamed the former president for losing Democratic control of Congress to the Republicans in 1994. He said he fears that Hillary will follow the same path.
Maffie again asked the audience to give Clinton a second chance, claiming that she is a fighter and will fight against "the wealthy and well-connected."
The debate was organized by Sarah Spring, a communications instructor and debate coach. She said that a debate was planned all semester, but last weekend they decided to have it be between the two groups.
"The best part was that the audience was very involved," Spring said.
At the end of the debate, the audience voted for who they would be supporting on March 4. The final vote was 101 for Obama and 94 for Clinton.
