The Young Democrats and College Republicans comprehensively spelled out the stances of their respective presidential candidates at a forum Wednesday night hosted by the Alpha Sigma chapter of Lambda Theta Phi, a Latino fraternity.
Fraternity Vice President Marcos Valdez said the Presidential Candidate Voter Forum came about as an effort to mobilize the Latino vote across the Valley. It was hosted in conjunction with Alpha Phi Alpha, an African American Fraternity.
The multicultural audience at Tempe campus’s Neeb Hall was responsive to the information the two political clubs provided.
“This event is targeted toward educating young Latino and African Americans to ask questions and get informed about the important issues in this election,” Valdez said. “What good is it to be if registered, but not informed?”
He said it’s great when the two main political groups on campus can come together and discuss the issues.
The forum began with opening statements from the Young Democrats and College Republicans introducing the audience their candidates: Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain.
The Republicans said McCain’s experience and lifelong service to his country is why he should be elected. The Democrats countered with Obama’s love for his country and the opportunities that it has provided him.
Education, economy, energy, immigration, foreign policy, health care and bipartisanship were the issues covered.
Regarding education, mathematics and philosophy senior Blake Van Fleteren said Obama believes teachers should be paid based on merit but not according to standardized tests.
“Standardized tests aren’t the only way to judge the merit of a teacher,” Van Fleteren said. “Obama believes we should pay teachers for their greatness.”
Political science and civic education senior Amy Auerbach said McCain would allow parents and students more access to education. She said he would also reward those teachers who teach well with bonuses.
“McCain thinks we should sent education money directly to the classroom,” Auerbach said. “And that students should be able to go to the school of their choice.”
Both groups said their candidates would support alternative forms of energy — McCain with a comprehensive approach, using wind, solar and other forms, and Obama leaning toward creating more jobs through green technology.
Political science senior Lance Robinson said McCain wants to create 100 new power plants.
“Make it clean, and make it green,” Robinson said.
Reach the reporter at philip.haldiman@asu.edu.
