Spring Break
Debate day play-by-play: politics, protests, parties
Stephanie Takach
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Drexel University, in conjunction with NBC News and MSNBC, hosted the 14th Democratic Presidential Debate Oct. 30. Tim Russert and Brian Williams moderated as Sens. Joe Biden, D-Del., Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., Barack Obama, D-Ill., former Sen. John Edwards, D-S.C., Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and Gov. Bill Richardson debated in Drexel's Main Building auditorium.
The University also hosted events throughout the day, kicked off with a Chris Matthews book signing and question and answer question in the Bossone Research Center at 11 a.m. During the event, he spoke about the role of the media in campaigns and what this election means for America.
"This is one of those change elections - people want to go to a different place," Matthews said.
Brian Williams also met with students in Bossone Auditorium at 2 p.m.
Hundreds of students holding signs featuring the candidates they supported gathered in the quad to watch Hardball at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Hardball guests included Julie Mason, Jonathan Capehart, Rendell, Howard Dean, Nutter, Dan Balz, Howard Fineman, Ryan Lizza, Brian Tierney and Michael Smerconish.
Throughout the day, the Office of Government and Community Relations, the Office of University Relations, and the Drexel Democrats worked together to coordinate about 200 student volunteers, who worked with the media to help set up the debate, act as tour guides, and assist with parking.
Protesters also gathered on debate day. At 6 p.m., Halloween-themed protesters called on candidates to support guaranteed healthcare and funding for global HIV/AIDS prevention programs. The march was sponsored by ACT UP Philadelphia, a non-partisan program dedicated to ending the AIDS crisis.
The live debate began at 9 p.m. Presidential candidate Mike Gravel, who was excluded from the debate due to insufficient polling and fundraising requirements, held his own "alternative debate" at the World Café Live during the MSNBC debate. Gravel paused the debate to make his remarks, as if he was actively in the debate.
Candidates discussed the war in Iraq, nuclear warfare in Iran, healthcare, the world economy and education.
"I was lucky to get a ticket to the debate," Alex Rinaldi, a freshman engineering major, said. Only 98 students were awarded tickets to the debate out of 3,000 requests.
"The debate put Drexel on the map," Rinaldi said.
The University also hosted events throughout the day, kicked off with a Chris Matthews book signing and question and answer question in the Bossone Research Center at 11 a.m. During the event, he spoke about the role of the media in campaigns and what this election means for America.
"This is one of those change elections - people want to go to a different place," Matthews said.
Brian Williams also met with students in Bossone Auditorium at 2 p.m.
Hundreds of students holding signs featuring the candidates they supported gathered in the quad to watch Hardball at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Hardball guests included Julie Mason, Jonathan Capehart, Rendell, Howard Dean, Nutter, Dan Balz, Howard Fineman, Ryan Lizza, Brian Tierney and Michael Smerconish.
Throughout the day, the Office of Government and Community Relations, the Office of University Relations, and the Drexel Democrats worked together to coordinate about 200 student volunteers, who worked with the media to help set up the debate, act as tour guides, and assist with parking.
Protesters also gathered on debate day. At 6 p.m., Halloween-themed protesters called on candidates to support guaranteed healthcare and funding for global HIV/AIDS prevention programs. The march was sponsored by ACT UP Philadelphia, a non-partisan program dedicated to ending the AIDS crisis.
The live debate began at 9 p.m. Presidential candidate Mike Gravel, who was excluded from the debate due to insufficient polling and fundraising requirements, held his own "alternative debate" at the World Café Live during the MSNBC debate. Gravel paused the debate to make his remarks, as if he was actively in the debate.
Candidates discussed the war in Iraq, nuclear warfare in Iran, healthcare, the world economy and education.
"I was lucky to get a ticket to the debate," Alex Rinaldi, a freshman engineering major, said. Only 98 students were awarded tickets to the debate out of 3,000 requests.
"The debate put Drexel on the map," Rinaldi said.
Be the first to comment on this story