OBERLIN — About 50 Oberlin College students gathered Tuesday night at South Dorm to watch the Democratic debate between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton at Cleveland State University.

The crowd was split between two small TVs and was quiet and attentive, although many students were trying to do their homework, too. At various points, the students vocalized their support or dissent to specific answers given by Obama or Clinton. Here is the breakdown:

 

Health care:

The topic of health care incited a long debate that went back and forth and back again, ultimately culminating with Obama saying that “experts have said that our plans are very similar.’’

The crowd in Oberlin grew weary of the small exchanges. Neither candidate gave the crowd the impression that they would more clearly advocate change than the other, and when the moderator sarcastically said that “a 16-minute discussion on health care is certainly a good start,’’ the crowd gave a big laugh.

Point: Moderator.

 

NAFTA:

Certainly an important issue in Ohio, both candidates agreed that NAFTA needed to be heavily amended.

Clinton referenced a recent article that noted that Obama’s contentions that she supports the controversial trade act “were erroneous,” which had several students nodding in agreement.

Obama, meanwhile, said that we need to use “the hammer of potential opt-out to ensure that we get worker and environmental protection,’’ — the exact point Clinton had just made.

Point: Clinton.

 

New jobs:

Moderator Tim Russert brought up Clinton’s recent promise of “5 million new jobs,’’ and compared it to her 2000 promise to Buffalo, N.Y., residents of 200,000 new jobs. In fact, Russert said, Buffalo lost 30,000 jobs.

The audience let out a collective “oooohhh,’’ and Clinton’s reasoning that she “thought Al Gore would be president,” was not nearly enough to win back the crowd.

Point: Obama, by default.

 

Iraq:

Obama called Iraq the “question of our generation’’ and brought up his vocal opposition since 2000 when, he said, Clinton was supporting it.

Clinton came back saying that since they were both in the Senate, they voted “exactly the same’’ on the issue of Iraq.

But Obama argued that “once we had driven the bus into the ditch, there were only so many ways to get out.” The implication, which the students picked up on, being that the support of Clinton and others had forced Obama into a corner with his Senate votes.

Point: Obama.

 

Votes:

Obama said that he and Clinton had disagreed on only two votes in the Senate. On one of these votes, Obama quoted Clinton as saying, “I voted for it, but hoped it wouldn’t pass.’’

“Well,’’ Obama said, “as a general rule that doesn’t work.’’ And for that, he received the biggest laugh of the night.

Point: Obama.

 

Credibility:

 Obama’s apparent waffling on his claim that he would not take private money in the general election had some of the students feeling a little uneasy. His assurance that he would sit down with Sen. John McCain, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, and discuss a fair policy didn’t seem to convince many students.

Clinton’s claim that she would make her and her husband’s tax returns public as quickly as possible, though, did seem to persuade the audience.

Point: Clinton.

 

Anti-semitism:

Controversial black leader Louis Farrakhan’s support of Obama led to a humorous exchange between the candidates. When Obama said he denounced Farrakhan’s support, Clinton wondered why he didn’t reject it.

“If she feels the word reject is stronger, then I will reject it. I will reject and denounce his support,’’ he said to considerable laughter.

Point: Obama.

 

Closing statements

Obama took a page from Clinton’s book when he praised her as a “worthy nominee’’ and “magnificent opponent.’’ His unoriginality caused a few cringes from the Oberlin students.

Clinton’s closing remarks about the “sea change’’ seemed to disregard the equally important statement of the first black president, and had a few students shaking their heads.

Point: Draw.

 

Final score?

Obama: 4

Clinton: 2

The students generally felt that Obama won the debate, but that neither candidate blew away the other one. Like a point made by Obama in Lorain on Sunday, it seems like both candidates could just as easily argue the other’s points.

Contact Michael Baker at 329-7128 or mbaker@chroniclet.com.

 

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