SPAC hosts VP Debate viewing
Andrew Scagnelli
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Campus News
As part of its mission as an advocacy organization, the Stevens Political Awareness Committee (SPAC) held a viewing party for the Vice Presidential debate on Thursday, October 2, 2008. The debate, between Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK), the Republican nominee, and Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), took place at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and touched briefly on the major topics of the 2008 Presidential campaign. The opinion widely held among political analysts and pundits was that both campaigns did very well. The event, which took place in the Jacobus Lounge, was attended by about sixty students and several members of the faculty and the administration.
The crowd was relatively active during the debate, frequently discussing the candidates' responses amongst themselves, or laughing at a jab or gaffe when appropriate. In addition, Dr. Jonathon Wharton, professor of political science at the College of Arts and Letters, led the assembly in a brief discussion of the debate immediately following its conclusion. "The audience reaction in Jacobus certainly displayed the candidates' styles and interests," Professor Wharton said.
Professor Wharton also noted, "The debate proved several dynamics. First, that Governor Palin is great in front of the camera and has the ability to perform well especially through nonverbal communication. Her off the cuff responses, whether people like them or not, came off as raw and unabridged, whereas Senator Biden sounded confident and certainly wonkish. He knows his policies and stances - once again whether you agree with them or not it comes off as professional. They are two different candidates on many levels."
The crowd was relatively active during the debate, frequently discussing the candidates' responses amongst themselves, or laughing at a jab or gaffe when appropriate. In addition, Dr. Jonathon Wharton, professor of political science at the College of Arts and Letters, led the assembly in a brief discussion of the debate immediately following its conclusion. "The audience reaction in Jacobus certainly displayed the candidates' styles and interests," Professor Wharton said.
Professor Wharton also noted, "The debate proved several dynamics. First, that Governor Palin is great in front of the camera and has the ability to perform well especially through nonverbal communication. Her off the cuff responses, whether people like them or not, came off as raw and unabridged, whereas Senator Biden sounded confident and certainly wonkish. He knows his policies and stances - once again whether you agree with them or not it comes off as professional. They are two different candidates on many levels."