During the 1988 presidential election, many students attended the debates between the College Democrats and the College Republicans on campus. As one of those debators, I saw that most students found the debates extremely informative. Those who were undecided walked away with the better idea of whom they were going to vote for. In that sense, the debates were a success.

It's unfortunate, however, that the College Republicans are not willing to debate the College Democrats this year. Perhaps President Bush's visit to Penn State had a negative impact on the exchange of issues and ideas that concern our nation and college campuses. Why do the College Republicans have to follow such a poor example of leadership?

It took too long for the President to garner enough courage to debate Bill Clinton. Although I can certainly understand his apprehension on debating his record on the economy, individual freedoms and the creation of jobs, I can't understand why Bush's followers have to take the same shallow approach. The President wants a controlled debate atmosphere that looks more like a press conference. It was he who was afraid to negotiate, not Bill Clinton.

When I was a student, the College Democrats never backed down from a robust exchange of issues. Neither did the College Republicans for that matter. I hope that the CR's change their stance on debating the CD's for the benefit of all students at the University.