Nearly Democrat-less debate still incites students

Despite the absence of the campus’ Democratic organization, the first campus political debate took place between Roger Hamilton and Rev. Toris Young of Greater Bibleway Church in an effort to encourage students to vote and more importantly, to consider choosing a political party.
The event, which was sponsored by the Southern University College Republicans, was held Wednesday in Lawless Auditorium in Stewart Hall.
“In order to have more impact, more students from Southern University need to come out,” said Brandt Lewis, a Republican and a sophomore political science major from New Orleans, before the debate. “We need open minds -we’re trying to offer a chance for comparison between the two parties.”
The debate covered topics such as education, voting and the war on Iraq, but the hottest discussion of the evening stemmed from the destruction of New Orleans, the rebuilding, and where the blame should be placed from the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
“No one person is responsible for the plight in New Orleans-We should be focused on rebuilding and getting people back to New Orleans,” Young said.
Hamilton agreed, adding that “there has to be someone with leadership-who is going to think outside of the box” for the rebuilding of New Orleans.
Agreement, however, was not the case when Young and Hamilton were asked about the problems regarding social security.
Young argued people should demand the federal government ensure social security. Hamilton countered that people should know how to control their own debts.
Following the debate was a brief question and answer period and Young fielded a majority of the questions. The predominantly Republican crowd challenged Young’s statements during the debate, which gave way to smaller debates between Young and many of the Republicans present.
Wesley J. Netter, the vice president of College Republicans, asked Young about the rebuilding effort.
“Blanco has not come up with a sound plan for how to allocate the funds for rebuilding,” Netter said. Netter also said such mismanagement was due to a history of corrupt Democrat leaders.
“Louisiana has to stop beating up on itself – and demand that the federal government rebuild the levees,” Young argued.
At the closing of the question and answer period, Hamilton joked with Young, referring to the absence of support from his fellow party members.
“It was not a set-up,” Hamilton said. Hamilton added Republicans in Louisiana feel like a minority, so it was a big change from being constantly on the defense.
Young may have had some supporters after all.
“Based on the debate, I’d say Mr. Young handled himself well considering the circumstances,” said Desmond Stevens, an independent voter and a senior political science major at Louisiana State University.