When Jonah Goldberg and Peter Beinart clashed in debate Monday night in Pruis Hall, a room of more than 100 people felt the aftermath.
The event, "Reds vs. Blues: The State of Choosing Our Next President," was sponsored by Education In Leadership and pitted two ideologically opposite journalists against each other in a debate about youth issues.
Associate Director of Student Life Mitch Isaacs said the event, more than five months in the making, was planned when he took over the office in June.
"A big issue with this is getting the right people together," Isaacs said. "We need people who can articulate, who can speak elegant, but are accessible. These two fit the bill."
The eight questions asked from the audience during the 40-minute question-and-answer session consisted of health care and taxes, two non-traditionally youth-oriented issues.
"Tonight we saw what was important to them," Isaacs said. "The issues that were discussed showed that students not only have followed the national debate, but understand it."
To start the debate, Goldberg, editor-at-large for the conservative Web site The National Review Online, said a baseline for his Republican argument.
"Your rights come from God, not government," he said as he smiled.
Beinart, editor-at-large for the liberal Web site The New Republic, was quick to counter.
"Liberalism is the ability to recognize yourself in other peoples shoes and understand that we are in this together," Beinart said.
And, on that note, a debate between two friends began.
The two journalists debated on health care, taxes, the war in Iraq and the political viewpoint behind both parties.
Despite the discussions on the issues, the two debaters were quick to point out problems with their candidates and political parties.
"Things are bad for the Republicans this year for so many reasons," Goldberg said. "The GOP screwed up a few times in the last eight years and I believe they should learn their lesson this election cycle."
Succeeding a point about Obama's experience, Beinart said the leadership question is still yet to be determined.
"Barack Obama is a really charismatic leader, but we'll see what he can get done," Beinart said.
At the end of event, there were mixed opinions about who was the victor.
"I thought the debate was great," freshman Jake Riley said. "Even though the issues weren't the best, I thought the Republican guy won."
As the debate continued, both journalists started laughing and having fun.
"Debates like this are too rare these days," Goldberg said. "We need to have them more often."
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