Young Voters Watching VP Debate Eager to Hear Views on Abortion, Immigration — But Mostly Eager to Vote
A Conversation Worth Having
Abortion and immigration were among the most important issues for Northwestern University students who gathered on campus Tuesday night to watch the vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
A Student Perspective
About 30 students, many of whom will be voting in a presidential election for the first time in November, packed the lounge at Communication Residential College to hear the candidates speak on the issues and discuss the debate. Timmy Woodward, 19, a freshman theater major, was among them. “I think those are the most pressing issues, at least the issues in the country right now that are creating the most divide,” he said ahead of the debate. “I think the difficult conversations are the ones that we need to have.”
The Debate
The debate was moderated by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, host of “Face the Nation.” The network had said the moderators would focus on guiding the discussion rather than fact checking. As the debate opened with a question on Iran’s recent attack on Israel, the students sat in the lounge quietly listening. However, a loud chuckle among the students came when Vance said “let’s just say it’s true” for the sake of argument that carbon emissions cause climate change when a climate change question came up.
Fresh Perspectives
Before the debate, Hattie Saal, 18, who will also be casting a vote in a presidential election for the first time next month, said she hoped to hear Walz spar with Vance on abortion. “I doubt that JD Vance will be able to uphold an important conversation on the importance of abortion and bodily autonomy,” she said. “I’m curious how Tim Walz will present the issue.” August Martone, 18, of Maryland, said he had been hoping to hear Vance clarify his stance on gay marriage. “Things like being able to keep my family together have always been very important to me, and that’s one thing I would like to keep secure in the future,” he said.
Excitement for the Future
For these students, the debate was more than just a conversation about issues; it was about making their voices heard. “I’ve been looking forward for this opportunity to make my voice heard in an actual way,” said Martone. Woodward echoed this sentiment, saying, “I think it’s a very important one, I’m fortunate that I get to vote in such a pivotal election, and that my vote really matters.”
Conclusion
As the students gathered to watch the debate, they were not just interested in hearing the candidates’ views on various issues; they were excited to cast their first votes in a presidential election. For these young voters, the debate was an opportunity to engage with the issues that matter most to them and to make their voices heard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What issues did the students gather to hear the candidates discuss?
A: Abortion, immigration, and climate change were among the most important issues for the students gathered to watch the debate.
Q: Why were these issues important to the students?
A: These issues were important to the students because they are the most pressing concerns in the country today and are creating the most divide.
Q: What was the format of the debate?
A: The debate was moderated by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, host of “Face the Nation,” and focused on guiding the discussion rather than fact checking.
