Elon University’s College Republicans, College Democrats and Young Americans for Liberty jabbed in contested debate Monday: one where the three student organizations argued over substantive polices and defended their party’s representative candidates exactly one week from election night.
The debate was sponsored by the Elon Politics Forum and despite the productive and sometimes accusatory dialogue in the third installment of these debates since the spring, many people noted that this was the least-attended one by the community.
North Carolina Student Legislature President senior Carlos Andino said he attested the low turnout to the frustration and cumulative irritation of a course national election season.
“I think that is part of it,” Andino said. “It has been a long and grueling election. It’s been a two-year process and we’ve seen these candidates for a long time and we’re heard a lot of their platform, so some of these individuals may feel disenchanted with this process and don’t want to hear it anymore.”
At the beginning of the debate, Young Americans for Liberty tried to establish themselves as a respected party, and said if their candidate, Libertarian Gary Johnson, was represented in at least one of the debates, he may have surged in the poll.
“What we have now is a system of insanity,” said Young Americans for Liberty representative junior Matt Snow. I don’t think this is how the republic should be functioning.”
Issues of contention varied among parties and questions asked from moderator senior Ashley Bohle, Elon News Network broadcast news director, ranged from the Syrian conflict, race relations and trade deals. Possibly the most contentious talking point was immigration, one that has starkly divided professional politicians as well.
College Democrats aggressively attacked College Republicans over Republican nominee Donald Trump’s proposed border wall to stifle illegal immigration. The wall, College Democrats said, would cripple diplomatic relations with Mexico and would be improbable to make them pay for it.
“If you build a 30-foot wall, it wouldn’t stop someone from bringing a 31-foot ladder,” said College Democrat representative freshman Rohith Murali.
College Republicans quickly countered this by saying even though Trump’s plan may be extreme to some people; it will be an effective way to stop illegal criminal aliens form taking advantage generosity.
“What’s the best way to handle this situation?” said College Republican President senior Matt Corman. “Do we just build a free highway straight from Mexico to America?”
Andino said he was really please with the forum and the substantive topics discussed. He said that though the election will be over next semester, he and EPF would have more debates to keep people politically informed.
“I know EPF is hoping to keep Elon more politically informed,” said Andino. "We need to make sure people know that it's not always about a political election — it's more than that."