Denton politicians face off in debate

by Dylan Rogers of North Texas Daily

The debate included discussion about the parties’ platforms, the environment, the Bush administration, Michelle Bachmann, green energy, and the struggling economy.

Photo by Andrew Williams

Jeffery Lynch from the Denton County Democratic Party and Travis Trawick, the Vice president of the College Democrats of UNT, answer questions from audience members.

Local politicians converged Thursday night in McConnell Hall for an offbeat, informative debate on national issues.

The event, titled “Politicked,” was put on by the Texas Academy of Math and Science and featured members of the Denton County Democratic and Republican parties, as well as representatives from UNT student organizations.

The event was moderated by Denton city councilman and TAMS administrator Kevin Roden, the only non-incumbent elected in the May election. Roden’s questions elicited informative, rather than confrontational, responses from both parties.

“We just want more people to come, to get more people in,” said McConnell Hall resident assistant Evan Rodriguez, one of six TAMS organizers.

Rodriguez said the event was designed to inform students on some of the topics that are going to be important in next year’s presidential election.

“It’s an information session, essentially,” said Jeffery Lynch, who represented the Denton County Democratic Party at the event. “While it’s billed as a debate, it gives [students] an opportunity to see both sides present their views in a less rancorous way because we’re not running for office. We’re not trying to get your vote. But, these kids are going to be voting soon – in this next election or the one after.”

UNT alumna Sherry Shipman, who represented the Denton County Republican Party, emphasized the importance of student involvement in the political process, regardless of ideology.

“I think that any time young people get engaged, whether they do it in a way that I think they ought to or not, I think the fact that they’re interested means that they’re learning and I think that’s what they should be doing,” Shipman said.

The debate, which lasted about an hour and a half, included discussion about the parties’ platforms, the environment, the Bush administration, Michelle Bachmann, green energy, and the struggling economy.

Members of both parties gave the audience nonpartisan advice regarding politics.

Lynch stressed the value of representative democracy, while Shipman urged the importance of exposure to political activity and immersion in the political process.

“I look at an audience like this and I feel very encouraged that there are a lot of people really seeking to know,” she said.