The Collegian

Issue date: 11/5/04 Section: News

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Harry Mersmann (top), Bill Casey (left), and Bill Alessio (bottom) speak to students about politics in a question and answer session.

Students poured into upper Danner Hall to hear the "Rock the Election" debate between the Green, Democratic, and Republican parties.

The ASBG offered food, a live band, and the chance to get some final questions in about the three parties before they line up to vote for the U.S. president, Monday Nov. 1.

Tables were set up and the band was preparing, while the planners were running 30 minutes late, which only left time for seven questions, and two from the audience.

Bill Alessio represented the Republican views, Harry Mersmann, a Delta instructor, spoke for the Green Party, and Bill Casey was the Democratic chairman for the San Joaquin Area.

The debate opened with each candidate speaking his mind on what each party stood for, then moved onto the seven questions.

Hersmann noted that the Green Party believes in 10 different key points, Alessio went on to confuse the audience, with his fast-paced, rushed opening, and Casey said "that this is a very important election for middle class and women's rights. (That they) can't trust Republicans with money, and uses war as a last resort."

The first question was who is the best candidate for the conflict in Iraq. (The first four questions where answered first by Green Party, then Republican, and lastly, the Democratic.)

Hersmann stated, that it "must be brought to an end," and that the Green Party opposes the draft.

Alessio accused the Democrats of "always taking us to war," with WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War. "Sixty million people could have been saved if we went to war four years earlier," he said.

Casey noted that we are in a "war of choice," but "they are fighting without efficient equipment."

The next question asked the representatives' thoughts on the draft.

Hersmann, who stated before that they are against the draft, said, "No way! No how! Nowhere!"

Alessio said that the Democratic Party has put a bill in the house and Senate in favor of the draft, but under Bush, the draft is never discussed, and that the army is all volunteer.

Continued...

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