A Ball State professor had a front-row seat - you might even call it the driver's seat - in the Senate debate Wednesday that saw U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar fighting for his life against lesser-known candidate Richard Mourdock.
Phil Bremen, a telecommunications professor and former international correspondent for NBC and former TV reporter, was the moderator for the Republican debate Wednesday night at the WYFI television station in Indianapolis.
"They both played it pretty safe, but why not?" Bremen said. "Whoever wins the primary will have a very different debate in the fall."
One difference he mentioned is the candidates' philosophies on higher education. Lugar alluded to the importance of science, teaching, engineering and math degrees and making the country more competitive on the world stage. Mourdock, on the other hand, said he wanted to save money by eliminating the Department of Education.
When Democrats join the fight after the May 8 primary, the discussion will change to how candidates will carry out their plans, Bremen said.
"Are you for education or not? Are you going to put money behind what you're talking about, or is it all about cutting?" he said. "That's my perspective as an observer of the scene, not this particular debate."
Bremen encourages students to vote so they can take a stand against issues that matter to them. It's something he often talks about in his current issues class.
"One of my students in the back of the room, after I was trying to explain this concept, said, 'Oh, I get it. It's play or be played,'" he said.
For example, Bremen said he thinks students should pay attention to the discussions regarding student loans and paying them back. A new law states that students can't default on debt from student loans.
"That's with you for life no matter what," Bremen said. "That's part of my premise that young people are a free fire zone because they're not paying attention."
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