University of Richmond students and faculty gathered in Whitehurst living room at 9 p.m. on Thursday for a vice presidential debate viewing party and post-debate reaction forum, where some students said they thought Gov. Sarah Palin had been talking down to them.
Palin and Sen. Joe Biden had a civil debate, but the comments from students in the discussion showed students had a negative response to Palin. Political science professor Jennifer Erkulwater led the discussion after the debate.
"I felt like I was being talked to like a 12-year-old by Sarah Palin," said Bailey Leuschen, a WCGA senator. "I was shocked."
Many students said that Palin did not answer questions directly.
"I've been watching interviews with Palin and she does not answer straight questions," freshman Jennifer Workman said. "I'd be worried about her longevity in a conversation with world leaders if she can't even stand up to a 90-minute debate."
Other students said that attacking Palin for avoiding a question was irrational.
"I think that the idea that she skirts around questions a little funny to me," freshman Stephen Jones said. "She may not do it as skillfully as other politicians but every politician figures out how to move away from a question and talk about what they want to talk about."
Jones said his opinion of Palin changed after the debate.
"After viewing the Katie Couric interview, I had decided that the vice presidential candidates were not going to sway my decision," he said. "I thought that Palin redeemed herself. They were both attack dogs and that is often what the VP is there for."
Other students said they did not think Palin had enough experience to be a potential president, an issue they said they brought up because of McCain's advanced age and history of health problems. Senior Tony Derosa said that he wanted Palin to make a stronger case for her experience as governor of Alaska and mayor of Wasilla.
"I'm concerned about the experience," he said, "but I wanted to hear more about what she did as governor. She tends to talk a lot in generalities about reform, but I think she could do more to talk about the good things she has done as mayor and governor. There are a lot of things you can do to prepare for the presidency."
Rasheed Nazeeri, president of UR Students for Obama, said that Palin did, "a great job showing people how unqualified for the job she is." Junior Zach Ferguson said that people were unfairly criticizing Palin's experience.
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"I've noticed a lot of people attacking Sarah Palin on her experience to be president," he said. "She is running for vice president, not president. There is nothing in the constitution that says you have to have so many years as senator or as governor. Teddy Roosevelt had two years of executive experience when ran for president."
Students said that the candidates did not talk enough about the economic crisis. Jones said he thought Palin offered a new insight into McCain's policies but stopped short of explaining herself.
"Governor Palin used the term 'oversight,'" he said. "As I understand it, John McCain is very much a free-market person. When she uses the term 'oversight' I would have liked to hear more about what she meant. It seemed weird to me."
Senior Spenser May said that federal mismanagement of taxpayer money was not addressed.
"It's unbelieveble what the government is doing with our money," he said. "Our future is being morgadged. It's not an issue for them. Joe Biden is in his 70s, so is McCain. It wont affect them because they'll be dead."
Contact staff writer David Larter at david.larter@richmond.edu
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