Democratic debate unforgettable, college students say

Otterbein University students got a close-up look at the democratic process Tuesday, hearing the platforms of 12 presidential hopefuls instead of the usual gym-shoe squeaks in the school’s Rike Center.

There was talk of impeachment and gun reform, health care and big tech at the fourth Democratic presidential debate. But there also was elbow-rubbing with local and national politicians, fifth-row seats and selfies with the candidates.

Sophomore Michael Rennette identifies as a Republican and has leaned toward the candidate of his party: President Donald Trump.

But the 19-year-old Rennette said he was impressed by some of the candidates on stage at Tuesday night’s debate.

“After tonight, I really liked how Andrew Yang presented himself,” said Rennette, of Avon in northeast Ohio. Yang is an entrepreneur, lawyer and founder of the nonprofit Venture for America whose principle platform is giving every American a universal basic income of $1,000 a month.

Was it enough for Rennette to jump party lines and vote for a Democrat?

“I’m still doing research, so I wouldn’t technically take that out of the question,” Rennette said. “I did find a lot of his viewpoints interesting, and I really liked him, so I would definitely do more research.”

Few students seemed to have their minds made up, before or after the debate. But certain candidates are coming into clearer focus for some.

“Beforehand, I was unsure of who I’d even vote for, but now I’m very much interested in Elizabeth Warren’s platform,” said Madison Moore, a 22-yearold senior from Westerville.

John Posey, a senior from Euclid, said he still has no idea.

“However, I will say I do plan to do a lot more research into Mayor Pete.”

South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s performance also won Otterbein sophomore Michael Rennette, a Republican, was impressed by Andrew Yang at Tuesday’s Democratic debate and even got a selfie with him. praise from political pundits.

Posey and Rennette were eager to hear former Texas Rep. Beto O’rourke’s followup to his remarks on gun control at the Democratic debate in September. O’rourke said then that he would implement a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons, saying, “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47.”

“I’m still not understanding what he’s planning to do,” Posey said of O’rourke after Tuesday’s debate. “He just stated the same thing, and he said enough words hoping that maybe we’d get off his case about it. But he didn’t answer the question, so I’m still a little dissatisfied.”

Some students were disappointed that one issue was noticeably absent from the questions posed.

“I wanted to hear more about climate change,” said Antoinette Tucker, an 18-year-old freshman from Pickerington. “(Some candidates) touched on it a little bit, but they didn’t really talk about it that much. That was kind of disappointing.”

“I kind of saw it coming, but I just wanted to hear more on climate change, climate justice, and justice for minorities and indigenous communities specifically, and how that relates to the Green New Deal,” said Jamie Kuder, a 21-year-old senior from Hilliard.

Students were hesitant to proclaim any candidate a winner. Rennette liked New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker’s sense of community, and he thought former Vice President Joe Biden and Buttigieg were the strongest communicators. Tucker felt Warren wasn’t straightforward enough.

Posey doesn’t necessarily support Bernie Sanders, but he felt the Vermont senator performed well following his recent heart attack.

“I will give Bernie his due,” Posey said. “He was his regular Bernie self.”

One thing students could agree on: It was an unforgettable experience.

Rennette walked away with more knowledge of the candidates, as well as selfies with Biden and Yang.

“Just being there, it’s global, everyone’s watching,” he said. “Being there was absolutely amazing, even as a Republican.”