College Republicans, Democrats to face off

Although election season is nowhere in sight, the IU College Republicans and College Democrats think it's time to bring political discussion back to Bloomington. The two groups will square off in one of two spring semester debates at 7:30 tonight in the Indiana Memorial Union's Georgian Room. \nThe debate will focus on a variety of subjects, including federal and state education funding, homeland security, Social Security reform, the national budget, healthcare and affirmative action.\nAlthough it might be the political off-season, the two organizations feel there are topics still deserving of attention and student concern.\n"Public policy, economic and foreign relations are evolving topics of which students and the general public should be aware," said College Republican Chairman Andrew Lauck. "Without debates and forums for discussion, crucial topics would never come to surface."\nThese debates aim to bring attention to political topics and help clarify issues that can be confusing.\n"The elections may be over, but the issues are not," said Jared Fallick, president of the College Democrats. "Issues important to students and all Americans are always an ongoing process, and it is our hope that by holding these debates, we can help students understand them (the political process) and come to their own conclusions."\nStrategy becomes an important factor in debates like these. To make sure each group hits on the issues most important to them, they have prepared for the past few weeks and developed ways to better explain their points.\n"The CR strategy will be simple: We'll tell the Democrats how it is," Lauck said. "We already have confidence in our beliefs, and we're proud to stand for issues such as small government, and we'll be ready to show the Democrats that we know exactly what we are talking about."\nOn the other hand, the College Democrats will focus more on the community aspect of the debate.\n"This is a vision of community where we advocate a stronger America, broad prosperity for all, a better future, more effective government and taking care of one another," Fallick said.\nProfessor Marjorie Hershey of the IU Department of Political Science will moderate the event, which is expected to last about 90 minutes.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Ryne Shadday at rshadday@indiana.edu.