BISF debates presidential election

By Tina Nazerian     10/24/12 7:00pm

 

On Oct. 23, the Baker Institute Student Forum held a debate between the Rice Conservative Forum and the Rice Democrats. 

Audience members were given a pre-debate opinion card, a post-debate opinion card and a lined question card to submit questions later in the debate. Each member of the audience was asked to circle the name of the candidate they supported before the debate, so that the percentage of a change in opinions after the debate could be calculated. 

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The eight Rice students, four from each side, rallied for their candidate's positions in front of a packed audience of current students, professors and alumni. The debate began with the moderator Gabe Cuadra introducing the two sides and each side giving their opening statements, summarizing the arguments that were to be discussed. 

The Rice Young Democrats advocated President Barack Obama's success in job growth, his balanced and reasonable plan for the budget, his extended healthcare coverage to millions more Americans and his determination to not cut Planned Parenthood. 

The Rice Conservative Forum advocated Governor Mitt Romney's plan to give the workforce necessary skills for success, his plan to promote international relationships so the U.S. can have better trade prospects, his plan to cut the U.S. deficit by capping government spending, his tax reforms, his plans for energy independence and his plan to aid small businesses. 

After each side gave their introductions, Cuadra, a Will Rice College senior, began the Question and Answer session. 

The Q&A session covered the role of the American government, the economy, energy policy, the deficit, "Obamacare," Foreign Policy, bipartisanship and the moment which shows why their candidate should be president. 

Next, it was the audience's turn to ask questions, via the lined question cards submitted to the moderator. The questions were addressed to either the Rice Conservative Forum or the Rice Democrats and covered the issues of education, sanctions on Iran and illegal immigration. 

Representing the Rice Conservative Forum, Wiess College senior Anthony Lauriello said he supported Romney's work as govenor in Massachusetts. 

"Governor Romney has a proven track record in Massachusetts," Lauriello said. "He's shown that he's willing to work with the sides. He's shown that he can develop new solutions for this country."

Representing the Rice Democrats, Sid Richardson College sophomore Hira Baig pushed for an Obama presidency, supporting Obama's recovery plan and job plan. 

"Today, employment is growing," Baig said. "Banks are beginning to lend again, and in a lot of places, housing prices are even picking up," she said. 

The post-debate poll results showed a 5.74 percent increase in support for Obama, and a 5.75 percent decrease in support for Romney, according to the calculations made after the debate. 

Wiess sophomore James Dargan of the Rice Conservative Forum said that he does not think that people supporting Obama were convinced to switch sides because most voters have already decided who they are supporting. 

Sid Richardson College senior Neeraj Salhotra of the Rice Democrats said that he thinks his side convinced people to switch their positions to support Obama. 

Overall, Dargan said that the debate was politically neutral. 

"It was a great opportunity for Rice students to see views of both candidates' positions in a way that enables them to make a meaningful decision on which candidate to support," Dargan said. 

Salhotra also said he thought the debate was a good way for Rice students to learn about the issues that are important to the election. 

"I think it was a great opportunity for the Rice community to learn about the issues," Salhotra said. "Both sides really presented their candidate's positions effectively and accurately. And I think Rice students are now well equipped to make smart decisions on Nov. 6." 

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