Classroom Publication

American's faces were covered in the blue glow of their television. The voices of moderator Charles Schaffer, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama on the evening of the third and final presidential debate. The mid-October broadcast tucked away their decisions for the upcoming election in the weeks to come.

Between the wires of tax plans, health policies and the core investments of the economy, both candidates were on an aggressive race to have the last word, advertising themselves to the American public one last time.

"People are voting for different things- for women, for blacks, for the military," said Marcia Fornaci of Valatie. A registered Republican, Fornaci feels this election she was better informed as opposed to others but thinks that three debates with these candidates was too much.

"Offer future hope in fixing mistakes past president's have made," said Alphonso Cino of Guilderland. "It's the same issues over and over. It's not very helpful- one states plans on what they're going to do, while the other says how the plan cannot work."

"It's a cycle of lies and excuses," Cino said.

"McCain has to try to make Obama make a mistake to pull himself credit," said John Bogdan of Westminster, MD. "Obama opened a clean debate about what he believes in."

The debate went heated with the mention and almost competitive involvement of 'Joe the Plumber.' McCain rooted for the 'little guy' making Obama seem like he neglects attention to lower classes. Their tactics of attack did not impress viewers and most importantly, voters.

"It shows such influence on their character. McCain smirks whenever Obama has to answer," said Fornaci.

Schaffer asked about future goals and both candidates "totally danced around them," according to Fornaci.

The election proved that the public is concerned about politics, especially college students. They have been researching and placing themselves into the political arena, most for the first time.

"I thought McCain lost the election when he stated that health care was a privilege, not a right. [And] he handled himself poorly. He came off as desperate and begging for people to vote for him, where Obama was cool and confident," said Katie Field of Belivdere, NJ. An English literature major, Field has found the way each candidate carries their character, their presence and their influence during the logistics of this election.

The elements of such a potent election have drawn attention from voters of many backgrounds. Using the presidential debates as a stepping stool, voters have gotten higher into the education of politics, the feel of what America's reputation of democracy, freedom and choice was made into a lifestyle rather than theory.

Article Tools