The speakers who will debate tonight in John R. Emens Auditorium both carry extensive backgrounds and recognizable names in American politics.
As part of Ball State's Excellence In Leadership Speaker Series, Liz Cheney and Robert Gibbs will debate issues pertinent to the 2012 election at 7:30 p.m.
The two individuals are from different political parties.
Liz Cheney served under President George W. Bush as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. She was also very involved in her father's, Dick Cheney, vice presidential re-election campaign in 2004 as well as Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in 2008. Cheney also headed the Iran Syria Policy Operations Group that was founded in 2006.
Robert Gibbs is a senior campaign adviser to President Obama and was the White House Press Secretary for the first two years of Obama's term in office.
Gibbs also was the communications director for President Obama's 2008 campaign and the press secretary for John Kerry's unsuccessful presidential run in 2004.
Both Gibbs and Cheney appear frequently on CNN and Fox News.
The debate tonight is free for all Ball State students and open to the public.
"The debate will be more focused on the issues of the election and will cover the positions of both Mitt Romney and President Obama on those issues," said Mitch Isaacs, associate director of Student Life and head of EIL. "The opening statements will be about the proper role of government and how it relates to the election of 2012."
The moderator for the debate will be Gerry Dick, creator and host of Inside Indiana Business.
Assistant Professor of Political Science Brandon Waite said he is looking forward to a very interesting presentation and hopes the event will be an honest debate between non-elected officials.
"We are going to be able to see people out of office who have a little more freedom to speak without worrying about the political consequences," Waite said.
In his fifth year as a professor at Ball State, Waite commended the university for taking such great strides to bring relevant political personalities to campus.
Isaacs said he highly recommends students attend the debate tonight.
"It is an opportunity to hear directly from two people who have worked in the White House at the highest levels of government," he said.
Isaacs said he also realizes the upcoming election will be the first time most students will have the chance to vote.
"Why not come hear from two people from both sides of the aisle and see what they have to say and use that to help you figure out how you will vote a month later?" he said.
Waite also encouraged students to go and check out the debate.
"Even though students may not be interested in politics now, what they will hear right now will be what they are interested in reflecting upon in 10 years," Waite said.
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