Although the College Democrats wish to be as civil as possible with the campus newspapers and other organizations, the op-ed piece in The Badger Herald, “Cynical Dems screw campus,” severely mischaracterizes the College Democrats’ intentions and goals as an organization. When the College Democrats declined to participate in a formal Herald-sponsored debate or town hall-style meeting this fall with the College Republicans, it was the result of a reasoned decision based on how we wanted to educate students about the issues and engage in a real dialogue about the upcoming elections.
The 2008-09 executive board of College Democrats felt last year’s debate was a flashy spectacle that focused too much on talking points and conflict as opposed to an actual discussion of the issues. That is why, this year, the College Democrats do not want to waste precious time preparing for a debate few students will bother to attend. Instead, we will engage the student body in a real discussion of the issues. We proposed having our executive board and others from our membership leading an informal discussion with students. Our idea is an actual dialogue with students rather than an orchestrated battle between the politicos on campus.
We want the November elections to be more than choosing between two sides, over-simplifying the issues to win an argument and making politics a theatrical or sporting event. Politics can, and should be, more than a marvelous spectacle. Politics should be about the issues — the ones facing real people like you and me every single day.
Yes, our goal for this November is to elect Democrats up and down the ticket — perhaps not all that shocking considering the name of our organization. But we also have to ask ourselves what our long-term, big-picture goal is. I believe we have a duty to help encourage political discourse on this campus with the hope that we will carry our passion for politics into the next phase of life. After all, is it not discourse between all citizens — every single one — that helps to keep a democracy healthy?
Formal debate in and of itself is a wonderful and important thing, but perhaps this fall is the time to try something innovative and imaginative rather than the same old political game Sam Clegg and Jack Craver ironically accused the College Democrats of playing in their op-ed piece. This fall, the student body will have the chance to sit back and watch Sens. McCain and Obama debate each other — three times. We’ll even have the chance to watch Sen. Biden and Gov. Palin defend their party’s respective platforms! But when will the student body have the chance to engage one another directly in an environment conducive to discussion? Because of the absence of such dialogue, the College Democrats will be hosting some informal “Real Issues For Real People” nights this fall, and I encourage everyone who is interested in a deeper understanding of the issues to attend and participate.
I appreciate the Herald’s sincere attempt to hold a debate or town hall-style, and I recognize the time and energy both they and the College Republicans invested in the idea. I also believe there is a correct time for the chairs of the College Republicans and College Democrats to stand up and represent our organizations in a formal debate. But this fall, we will be investing our time and energy in directly engaging the students in a new, innovative way.
Claire Rydell is chair of the University of Wisconsin College Democrats.