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Oblivious to the presidential speech being broadcast on every major network, students in High Rise North's upper lobby watched a basketball game and discussed classes last night. But others around campus stayed glued to their televisions as President Clinton gave his annual State of the Union address, the president's only Constitutionally-mandated message to Congress. In his speech, Clinton confronted the Republican Party on budget issues, proposed several new initiatives and discussed themes such as welfare, education, Medicare and taxes. "I challenge all of you in this chamber, never -- ever shut down the government again," Clinton said to Democratic applause and Republican silence. While some students sat in their rooms and watched the speech with their roommates, the College Republicans and College Democrats organized a group of 50 students to watch the address in Houston Hall. Wharton senior and College Republicans Chairperson Dan Debicella said he saw the message as the kickoff to Clinton's 1996 election campaign. "He had a Republican platform," Debicella said. "He is a liberal trying to portray a moderate [and] I hope people see through his charade." Debicella echoed themes sounded by Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) during his opposition response. The Senate majority leader said Clinton had vetoed many Republican proposals that dealt with the same issues the president spoke of last night. But College senior Eric Roberson, chairperson of the College Democrats, said Clinton challenged Republicans and "seized the offensive for the first time since 1994." "I would not give him an enthusiastic thumbs up," Roberson added. "[But] we support President Clinton." Many students watched the address and response last night hoping to hear both sides of the debate. "I support the Republicans, but I like to listen," Engineering sophomore Chen-Yeh Hsiao, who watched the speech in his room with friends. College junior Samantha Zeitlin said she liked many of the plans Clinton discussed. "I agree with a lot with what he wanted to do, but I don't like all his proposals," she said. Unlike the students who took time out to watch Clinton, some said they either did not know or did not care about the event. College sophomore Shalini Ramasunder said she did not watch the event because she had "too much homework." Engineering freshman Teresa Cheng said she did not even know there was a presidential address tonight. "I feel isolated from the outside," she said. "Philadelphia papers are cheesy, and I don't get The New York Times." The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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