Candidate debate set for tonight

The IU Student Association presidential debate is designed to aid students in their decision to vote. Unfortunately, few students unaffiliated with the tickets ever watch it, making the annual event more of a mass rally for IUSA members and ticket candidates than a political event.\n"The more students that participate, the more excited this campus will be for student government campaigns," said junior Casey Cox, presidential candidate for the Crimson ticket. "Unfortunately, not many undecided voters attend."\nThe IUSA candidate debate is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. tonight at the Wittenburger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union. \nAttendance problems at the debate showed clearly during last year's campaigns, according to the Action presidential candidate, junior Laura Walda.\n"The only people that went were on the tickets," she said. "Last year was just a flood of Synergy, Steel and Kirkwood T-shirts."\nJunior Aaron Radez, presidential candidate for Unity, said the lack of turnout encumbers the electoral process. Like Walda, he was disenchanted in recalling the atmosphere at last year's debate.\n"I can only remember one 'real' student in attendance," Radez said. "It's part of a larger problem. Students don't vote. They feel disenfranchised with IUSA."\nStill, Radez said the debate is the best place for students who want to compare the candidates.\n"It provides a common opportunity," he said. "The one real student at last year's debate asked a good question; she had some situation and wanted to know what IUSA could do about it. It's maybe one of the only times students can have complete and open exposure to the candidates. Students will be able to ask us exactly what we will do for them."\nCox agrees with that sentiment.\n"Obviously, student government can have a major impact," he said. "Our goal is to let people know that. The debate allows students to compare different stances on the issues."\nHosting the event is a panel that asks questions of the three candidates. Last year's debate, led by Chancellor Sharon Brehm, centered on greek and alcohol issues.\nAll the tickets have main platforms they want to push yet are prepared to answer any questions directed at them.\n"With our three-part platform -- academic, social, and campus -- Crimson has a well-rounded ticket," Cox said. "We are prepared to address any issues raised at the debate."\nRadez said he would like to see questions about the IUSA budget, which should be revamped because only 24 percent of the revenue goes back to students, he said.\n"We're the only campaign that addresses the 76-24 issue," he said. "I would be very interested to hear what the other candidates say about that. There is no reason to have a student government that wastes so much money."\nAlthough the atmosphere at the debate will be heated, no ticket plans to directly attack another or its platform.\n"We're not going to attack the other tickets," Walda said. "That would be silly. We want to show why we're the best. When it's over, it should be obvious."\nRadez agreed.\n"All the candidates work hard for the issues they believe in, and no one can knock them for that," he said. "We will have responses to some of their key points, but we won't attack their platform. It's not like they're promising to buy a Corvette, so I'm not worried yet."\nThe candidates are all hoping to see a better showing from unaffiliated students.\n"There's over $140,000 of student money at stake," Walda said. "Clearly students should vote for the ticket that would best handle it. I hope everyone comes out."\nFor more information about the IUSA candidates and platforms, visit their Web sites: Action -- www.ActionforIUSA.com; Crimson -- www.votecrimson.com; Unity -- www.MyIU.com.