Bruins hold political debate

The Bruin Republicans and Bruin Democrats held an intense
political debate on Thursday in Moore Hall, which displayed the
mostly friendly, but at times passionate, rivalry between the two
groups’ policies. Each group’s panel consisted of three
members during the 45 minute domestic-policy segment and three
others during the foreign-policy segment. All the questions were
asked by audience members.

“We’re hoping to cover some issues the presidential
debates didn’t cover, such as the effect of the election on
education and the lives of students,” said Bruin Democrats
President Kristina Doan before the debate.

But the debate failed to adequately cover this topic and focused
more on issues that have been prevalent throughout the presidential
campaign.

Some of the topics covered during the intense domestic-policy
segment were tax cuts, the economic recession, stem cell research,
abortion, affirmative action and social security.

Doug Ludlow, former president of Bruin Democrats, initiated the
debate by asking the audience, “Over the past four years,
have you been impressed by the domestic policies of the president?
Have they been inspiring?”

This opening set the theme of the night as a heated exchange in
which the participants as well as the audience vehemently supported
their own sides.

On several occasions the auditorium erupted with boos and cheers
from the audience. Every panel member was booed for speaking past
their allotted times.

The foreign-policy segment also began with fiery opening remarks
from debater Jonathan Cayton, a member of Bruin Republicans.
Cayton’s tone became passionate as he ended his statement by
saying, “Without President George W. Bush, you would not
exist.”

This segment covered topics like nuclear weapons, terrorism
threats, the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, al-Qaeda and the
dangers of job outsourcing.

Audience members from both groups were supportive.

“We could have done a lot better on domestic, but overall
we did a good job,” said Bruin Republican Thomas McKenna, who
was in attendance.

The recent debate is just one of many events on which the two
independent groups have collaborated.

Despite their rivaling political beliefs, the groups cooperate
with each other in order to accomplish common goals.

“We basically disagree on the stances of our platforms,
but we both share the common interest of educating the students on
politics. So that’s our bond,” Doan said.

Last year, both groups campaigned together to help independent
student groups gain access to funding from the Undergraduate
Students Association Council. The two groups also endorsed the same
candidate for USAC elections.

In addition to their joint events, the Bruin Republicans and
Bruin Democrats communicate with each other often.

“We talk everyday. There’s enough interlocking
structure that if something happens to someone there, we’ll
hear about it the next day,” Knee said.

The groups are next teaming up on Election Day, when they will
hold a barbecue at Bruin Plaza to encourage UCLA students to
vote.