It may have been cold outside, but the College Democrats and College Republicans engaged in a heated debate in Bodek Lounge Wednesday night.
Addressing issues that ranged from the war on terrorism to educational reform, the young politicians entertained an audience of about 70 that nearly filled the room. Each party fielded a four-person panel that sat on opposite sides of moderator Charles Forer, a lecturer in the Legal Studies Department.
Forer began the night by calling for a "real robust debate" in which the audience asked the teams about a diversity of topics. He then drew laughs from the crowd as he pointed out the differences in attire between the two teams, as the Republicans wore collared shirts and ties.
The crowd was engaged from the start not only by Forer's humor, but also by the format of the debate -- audience members would ask questions directed at a specific party that would then respond and direct a related question to the other party.
College Republicans President David Copley, a Wharton sophomore, opened the night by emphasizing that the Democrats' policy on education has been unsuccessful.
In his opening statement, College Democrats President Arshad Hasan, a College senior, quoted the Pledge of Allegiance and stressed "liberty and justice for all." He defined the Democrats as the party of civil liberties that demands, "Keep your laws off my body and out of my bedroom."
The topic of a war with Iraq figured prominently in the debate. Throughout the night, the Democrats called the Republicans "too eager to go to war," and stated that war must only be used as a last resort.
In response, the Republicans spoke of the immediate need for a regime change in Iraq and supported the government's policy of pre-emptive strikes, which Hasan called "a radical departure from U.S. foreign policy."
"The Iraqis are playing hide-and-seek with biological chemical weapons and that is absolutely unacceptable," Copley declared.
Each group was questioned about its party's national leadership, position on vouchers for education, gun control, gays in the military and issues surrounding the prison system. When both parties addressed affirmative action, the audience responded enthusiastically to the well-articulated positions for each side.
The one thing both parties could agree on was that the audience and moderator were great and that the debate was a success.
"I thought the panelists were really prepared and knowledgeable," College freshman Alyssa Legler said. "It was entertaining."
Another debate between the groups is being planned for next semester.
