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Playing host
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Each election year, the Commission on Presidential Debates chooses college campuses to host its events. This year, the Commission chose the University of Miami, Case Western Reserve, Washington University in St. Louis and Arizona State. All four of these campuses are located in battleground states across the nation in an attempt to allow both candidates to bolster their support in these razor-tight races. While it is too late to make any changes, seeing as the Commission has already made its choices for this year and we are already halfway done with all of the debates, we would like to see the University of Wisconsin considered a prime choice for the next Presidential race.
Madison is certainly an ideal locale for such a debate. Situated in one of the most politically active cities in the nation, UW would provide an opportunity for the candidates to reach out to the people of Wisconsin and speak to voters directly. Politics is one of the primary interests of many students who attend this university to an almost incredible degree when compared to other students nationwide. Furthermore, Wisconsin’s perpetual swing state status makes holding the debates here even more appealing.
However, this will not happen purely on its own. We need university and city officials, as well as students, to work to try to create an environment that will be enticing to the next Commission (or its successor) that will put Madison in the forefront of their minds. The Commission needs to feel as though holding the debate at UW will not be overly explosive or turn violent. We as citizens should work to show them how welcoming Madison can be and those in charge should work to foster such an environment in addition to providing other incentives for hosting important events such as a presidential debate here.
As we all already know, Madison is an incredible city and should be the host of far more national events than it currently is. For one of the most politically unique cities in the nation to be lacking in how many national figures visit to either speak or debate is a problem. It would be a shame for our city to continue to miss out on hosting and participating in some of the most important events in our democracy. The students of UW deserve better, and we should demand it not only of ourselves, but also of those in charge, to seek out more opportunities such as these.
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Good luck with this one. I think that Madison meets a lot of good criteria, however, it won't happen. Anyone remember the Ward Connelly fiasco? Rather than hear an opposing viewpoint, the students seem to feel that shouting down that viewpoint is acceptable. Obviously, this is not only inappropriate for a presidential debate, but defeats the philisophical purpose of the debate, which is the exchange of ideas in an attempt to further examine candidates. Until Madison demonstrates that it can have a sensible dialogue across differing ideologies (and the students learn the art of respectfully disagreeing with these differing ideologies), the idea of hosting a presidential debate is far-fetched.
"Rather than hear an opposing viewpoint, the students seem to feel that shouting down that viewpoint is acceptable. Obviously, this is not only inappropriate for a presidential debate, but defeats the philisophical purpose of the debate, which is the exchange of ideas in an attempt to further examine candidates."
Ironic, isn't it? I agree wholeheartedly with the first poster, but the things he decries are the same things that have dominated both presidential campaigns.
So congratulations, UW-Madison! You've proven yourselves immature enough to be President of the United States!
Yeah, um, if you even WATCHED the first two debates you could tell that the halls were filled with the candidates' families, representatives of the media and other closely-screened persons. Ward Connelly happened ages ago, and this campus has peacefully hosted dozens of controversial speakers since. Madison would be a perfect locale for a debate.