Excuse me a moment of self-indulgence as I discuss NYU undergraduate political clubs of which I am no longer a part.
Last night was the semesterly College Democrats/College Republicans debate. This year, my dear room mate’s boyfriend Rizzo debated immigration along with fantastic democrat Adam, and my dear friend Haley debated education along with another fabulous dem whose name I don’t remember. We won, big time. And I say that not only because I’m partisan, but because, well, we actually did. I can admit when we lose — like last year, when they somehow beat us on Iraq and, I think, on the economy too. But yesterday we exacted our revenge. (p.s., Where was their president?)
The Republicans continued on their fine tradition of putting up just one female on the debate panel, and then not letting her speak. This year we timed it, and the girl spoke unscripted for a full minute — in a debate that lasted more than an hour. They were kind of enough to let her read the closing statement, and after she finished, her male debating partner told the audience, “I wrote that.” Awesome.
(As background, last year we debated reproductive rights — Haley and I against two Republican men, one being Feministe commenter Jon C, who did a very nice job debating for his side. And while men certainly have just as much a right as women to have opinions about abortion and reproductive rights, it was just… visually interesting.)
The education side lost because all they could say was, “School vouchers,” “run schools like businesses,” and “dismantle the department of education.” To the credit of the male debator, he did a good job. He was well-spoken and occassionally funny, even if his female partner sat there silently. But the Dems had a more thought-out plan, and had clearly done their research — they were able to present actual facts, where the Republicans weren’t. The debators for the Democrats were also more professional, and had a great back-and-forth going which made them more engaging and interesting.
But it was immigration where the Republicans really got killed. They put up two Buchananites, whose arguments basically came down to, “I might sound like a racist and a xenophobe when I say this, but…” before saying something racist and/or xenophobic. The Democrats put up great people who had a substantive plan that they were able to back up with facts and data. The Republicans basically argued, “An illegal immigrant killed a film-maker in Holland,” and therefore illegal immigrants are bad and dangerous people who aren’t able to adjust to the culture. They actually argued that we should exclude people who don’t fit our established cultural norms from immigrating here. And they had no plan for how to actually do this.
So, it was interesting. If any CR’s other than Jon and Marian (who it was good to see last night!) actually read this blog (I don’t think they do, but who knows), I expect plenty of bitchy comments about how I’m arrogant and judgmental and a baby slayer and etc etc. So be it. We won, guys. Don’t be too sad, you still have the presidency, and a fearless leader with the unique ability to screw up nearly every challenge he’s faced with.