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On Nov. 14 the Quinnipiac Democrats and the College Republicans held its first debate. The debate was moderated by Political Science Association. The purpose of this debate was to be educational and help students better understand what is going on in politics today.

Both clubs met prior to the debate to go over the logistics. 

“We agreed we would have six people on each side,” President of Quinnipiac Democrats Gina DeVito said. “For my side [democrats], we did three E-Board members as the permanent people and three general board members that rotated in and out. The republican side only had a set six.”

Both sides sent out google sheets to their general members to sign up, but there was more diversity on the democratic side. 

“We had men and women, we had a student who is from a Native-American background, students of color on my side able to talk about all these issues from a different perspective,” Divito said.

The topics ranged from climate change, health care, gun control and more. Both groups decided on ten topics but started with impeachment because it is so relevant. The moderators, Josh Gorero and Samantha Murdock, made sure that the debate ran smoothly and that the debate was kept respectful. They had a plan in place just in case someone got too excited.

“If someone decides to not act professionally or not follow the rules that we have laid out previously, then the event is not going to be what we planned. We might ask them to step out depending on what happens because we want people to feel comfortable sharing their opinions,” Murdock said. 

Even though both clubs have different viewpoints, they still can come together and talk about things that affect the average person.

“No matter how much it can seem that Americans aren’t on speaking terms anymore we actually are,” Stephen Kapustka, chairman of the College Republicans, said. “Even if we aren’t always going to see eye to eye, and we certainly don’t, it’s still beneficial to have the conversation, which I think is very helpful in getting people to understand.” 

With the presidential election coming up in 2020 and the impeachment trials students should be informed on what is happening in Washington, D.C. To be able to have respectful conversations about the topics you should be informed and listen to sides that are different. 

“There is a place on campus where you can have a bi-partisan discussion or express your opinion on either of these clubs,” Murdock said. “I think that it is a really important thing for students to have a safe space to talk and I think this will be it.”