October 16, 2008

Students supporting John McCain and Barack Obama sat side-by-side at Huntington College's Delchamps Student Center to watch the final presidential debate, and the event's organizer said that was what it was all about. "I think this teaches them that there are reasonable points of view that can disagree with your own understanding," said Jeremy Lewis, a political science professor. As head of the political science club on campus, Lewis encourages students to engage in debates and critical thinking, and the final debate between the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees was like a workshop where they could put their analytical skills to work, he said. "To me this is an integral part of classes. You have to develop a love for the subject inside and outside of class," Lewis said. Lewis said he was not surprised to see the turnout of politically involved students because the historic nature of the election has caused increased interest at Huntingdon and on other college campuses around the country. Huntingdon, a small Methodist liberal arts college, leans a little to the right, Lewis said. "We have lots of active political students who favor McCain and a smaller group favoring Democrats," Lewis said. But mostly Obama supporters showed up for the watch party.

Sophomore Cole Muzio, a McCain supporter, said the debate and the bigger crowd pulling for the opponent wouldn't make him change his mind.

"I'm proud to state my opinion," said Muzio, who added that as a political science major he's never afraid to speak his mind.

Muzio favors a conservative approach to economics and was most interested in that aspect of the debate. He also said that the topic of economics would resonate strongly with the young people in attendance.

"Economics is dominating the news so I think it does resonate more with people," he said. "It's not like we have a lot of money," Muzio said.

Rebecca Adams said she's not sure the debate would do much to affect undecided voters, and wouldn't change whom she supported.

"I've already watched the two previous debates and I've already decided who I'm voting for, so there is nothing either candidate can say to sway my vote," said Adams, who was careful not to say which candidate she supported.

Lewis said watching the debate involves more than just gathering information.

Before the debate began he advised students to watch and think critically -- he hopes it's a habit that will follow them the rest of their lives.

"We want to develop good citizens who don't just watch a debate, but criticize and analyze it and its importance," he said. "We don't want them just to discuss it with teachers but with students, anywhere from classes to the dorms."