Oct 11, 2008
Students got an inside look at differing political views during the presidential debate sponsored by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The debate, on Oct. 9, took place at the Mary Ann Wolfe Theatre at Biscayne Bay Campus and was broadcast live on WQBA 1140 AM and Univision.com, as well as Univision radio stations nationwide.
Speakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties were present and discussed current issues in preparation for the upcoming presidential election.
The Democratic party was represented by Maurice Ferre, former mayor of Miami, and Luis Lauredo, ambassador to the Organization of American States.
On the Republican side were Marco Rubio, former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and Helen Aguirre Ferre, host of a political commentary TV program on WLRN and opinion page editor of "Diario Las Americas," a Spanish-language Maimi newspaper.
The discussion was moderated by Roberto Rodriguez Tejera, host of the WQBA radio show, Prohibido Callarse, and former director of Radio Marti.
"This was a great opportunity for students to hear about the different positions that the two campaigns are going to be presenting," said Fernando Figueredo, chair and associate professor of advertising and public relations. "Having it take place at the school of journalism here—the only debate of this type anywhere in the country—I thought it was very positive for us at FIU."
The topics covered during the two-hour event included foreign policy, healthcare, and education at the local and national level.
A signal bell rang after the two minutes allotted to the panelists to answer questions. Nonetheless, all of the speakers kept talking after the bell on several occasions.
"If they got a third bell, then, me too!" said Marco Rubio, as the bell rang a second time during one of his answers.
The discussions gave way to several inquiries from the audience members, who went up to the microphone to ask their questions during the broadcast.
"I thought the questions were fantastic because each one was very different; from the economy to what is going on with immigration to the image of the country overseas," said Figueredo, who was also one of the organizers of the event. "I think it also shows that our students have a real feeling for what is going on in the world and not just in the Miami community."
Even though the debate was broadcasted in Spanish, the language barrier did not stop students who are not fluent in Spanish and wanted to become better informed from attending the event.
"I want to get the Hispanic perspective, which I haven't had before, because I think the Hispanic population is growing rapidly and is a major political force," said Paul Ashe, a junior advertising major who is of Danish descent, understands some Spanish but does not consider himself a proficient speaker.
Maria Alexandra Sanchez, a senior public relations major and president of the FIU chapter of the Public Relations Students Society of America, was one of the first students to ask a question.
Sanchez said it is important for FIU to organize these types of events and would have liked to see a larger turnout.
"Students don't really realize the wealth of opportunities in everything that FIU does," she said, "I think the culture needs to be created within the student body. They need more motivation to participate."
"This really is one of those elections that will change the future of our nation," said on of the debaters, Helen Aguirre. "I think it's very important for young people to participate and to be part of it because you are not only our future, you are our present."
Ex-Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre said the nation's youth has responded in a positive way.
"Here in Florida, I see an extraordinary level of enthusiasm among the young people, much more than among their parents and grandparents," he said. "The youth of the United States will decide this election."