While the 2004 presidential candidates were busy debating inMiami, some Ball State University students had debates of their ownon campus. Pi Sigma Alpha, Ball State's political science honorsociety, hosted an open forum for students to view and discuss thedebate Thursday night.
Allison Markosi, president of Pi Sigma Alpha, said she wanted toencourage students to experience the debate together.
"It's more fun than watching by yourself at home," Markosi said."It's intended to be an open forum where students can meet otherstudents who are interested in politics."
Jason Luczak, vice president of Pi Sigma Alpha, said he wantedto create a non-partisan political science organization foropen-minded students.
"I wanted to start the society for independent thinkers," Luczaksaid. "I wanted the group to have fun talking about issuesaffecting our country."
Junior Katie Kau attended the presidential debate with Pi SigmaAlpha and said she was impressed by both candidates.
"I was glad Kerry didn't only talk about Vietnam," Kau said. "Itdidn't come up nearly as much as I thought it would."
Junior Becca Calkins said she was disappointed with thedebate.
"Both of them focussed too much on whether we should orshouldn't have gone to Iraq," Calkins said. "They should havefocussed more on the plans for the future and what's next for ourcountry and Iraq."
German foreign exchange student Svenja Stickert said it wasdifferent to hear candidates talk candidly to the public withoutgoing through journalists.
"I saw strong differences," Stickert said. "Kerry emphasizedVietnam and Bush emphasized Saddam."
Joseph Losco, chair of the political science department, said hethought both sides held their own, but neither side changed a lotof minds.
"I think Kerry needed to show he could hold his own with thepresident, and he did," Losco said. "President Bush was good atsticking to his responses and his outline."
The real effect will be cumulative. The topic tonight played tothe president's strength, and the next two topics will be morefriendly to Kerry, Losco said.
"There's a slight difference in their personalities," Loscosaid. "The president is clearly more folksy, and that was obvioustonight. Kerry appeared more personable tonight and was moresuccinct in his points. He has a tendency to be seen asstandoffish."
Markosi said she was impressed with Kerry's debate skills.
"I'd been worried about him," Markosi said, "but I was impressedwith how comfortable he looked and how comfortable he made me feelwhile watching him. I didn't expect Bush to get as worked up andflustered as he did - he seemed a bit forceful, but only time willtell."
Markosi said Pi Sigma Alpha will host another open forum andviewing for the next two presidential debates, and the event isopen to all students of any major.
The honor society is open to any political science major orminor who has taken at least four political science courses andobtained a 3.0 GPA.
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