MEDIA ADVISORY
October 7, 2004

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS TO HOLD DEBATEWATCH AT DRAKE FRIDAY

Students enrolled in first-year seminars at Drake University will hold a DebateWatch at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in room 101 of Meredith Hall, 28th Street and Carpenter Avenue.

Students who participate will watch the presidential candidates debate on television, then discuss what they heard without the distraction of commentary from political pundits. The discussion will focus on how the candidates addressed the issues that face young people.

The event at Drake is part of DebateWatch, a national voter education program of the Commission on Presidential Debates. DebateWatch brings citizens together to watch the televised debates, talk about what they learned and, if they choose to do so, share their reactions with the commission.

Drake's DebateWatch was organized by Dan Emery, visiting assistant professor of rhetoric, and Rachel Caufield, assistant professor of politics.

"For most first-year college students, the 2004 elections will be their first chance to participate in a national election," Emery said. "Unfortunately, for many persons in the ages from 18 to 24, that chance to participate slips away under a veil of weak excuses: politics doesn't interest me or affect me; all politicians sound the same; my vote really doesn't matter; and the like. Part of that sense is reinforced by media stereotypes of young people as apathetic, uninformed voters and the shrill and slanted commentary that accompanies political news broadcasts. However, this year, students are invited to tune out the noise without turning away from politics."

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