Debating the Presidential Candidates

March 11, 2008

On Feb. 25, 2008, the Capital University Law School Military Law Society (MLS), in collaboration with the Student Bar Association, Christian Legal Society, the Law School Republicans, the Law School Democrats, and the Black Law Student Association, got to the heart of the issues that are important to different groups in the upcoming primary elections.

MLS also worked with www.ElectionU.com, a social network for the politically minded which combines news, debate functions, and campaign tools for candidates, to provide an online forum for students to post their opinions and debate issues after the event – “The Presidential Primaries: What Matters to You!”.

Each sponsoring student organization invited a professor to speak to students about issues important to their respective groups. Professor Jim Beattie moderated the event and gave a brief description of the presidential candidates on behalf of MLS. He was followed by Professor Mark Brown, who spoke on behalf of BLSA and addressed issues on the socio-economic inequality of minorities. Professor Mike Distelhorst spoke on behalf of the Christian Legal Society and he explained that Christians look specifically into the character of a candidate including his or her integrity, trustworthiness, and belief in Christian values for social issues like the right to life. Lastly, Professor Susan Looper-Friedman spoke on behalf of the Democrats and also spoke about women’s issues and the need to withdrawal American troops from Iraq.

A lively, open debated followed, engaging students and faculty about the pros, cons, and different viewpoints of the candidates. That evening, www.ElectionU.com posted a major issue presented by each of the student organizations and opened them up for opinions and debate. More than 50 students attended the lunch and debate and 75 students and staff visited www.ElectionU.com that evening to post their opinions and continue the debate.