Later this month, former Gov. Howard Dean and former Sen. Rick Santorum will come together for what’s being billed as a part-debate, part-casual-chat. North by Northwestern spoke via email with College Republicans President Brittany Bull and College Democrats President Jonathan Forman, who are bringing the politicians to campus.
So what will we hear our guests talk about?
Bull: They will be discussing a variety of current policy issues relevant to the upcoming elections. The specifics have yet to be finalized; however, we will be meeting with our moderator later this week to solidify the topics.
Forman: With the midterms coming up, there is no better time for students to hear about the important issues of our day. Additionally, as seasoned politicians, both speakers will have an opportunity to discuss their parties’ chances in November.
Will this be a debate?
Bull: Yes, it will be a debate in the sense that there will be conflicting viewpoints offered, but it will be presented in a “living room style” atmosphere without the formality of podiums.
Where did the idea come from to do a joint event?
Forman: One of the big things I wanted to do as president of College Democrats was to reach out to the College Republicans to work together on different events. We spoke last spring about a variety of different speaker ideas and we eventually landed on Gov. Dean and Sen. Santorum.
Bull: We wanted to maximize all our resources to create a combined event that would hopefully create the most excitement and activity on campus prior to the elections.
When was the last time you guys worked together?
Forman: College Democrats brought Leon Panetta and Andrew Card, two former White House chiefs of staff from different political parties, in 2007, in an event supported by College Republicans. Beyond that, I have no clue.
Why Howard Dean? Why Rick Santorum?
Bull: Dean and Santorum will provide strong, well-articulated, opposing viewpoints on a variety of controversial issues.
Forman: Gov. Dean is about as strong as Democrat as you can be. He was governor of Vermont for almost twelve years, served a term as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee and heavily influenced the 2004 race and the recent health care debate. Additionally, he helped formulate the 50-state strategy that allowed Democrats to have such strong electoral success in both 2006 and 2008.
How did they react to the idea of doing a joint event?
Forman: They both love the idea. This is a great way to have a substantive conversation at a prestigious university with strong voices from both sides of the aisle. What isn’t there to like about that?
Bull: We hear from the speaking agent that they are actually close friends! Who knew?
Bipartisanship. What does it look like? Is it a good idea?
Bull: Bipartisanship basically means a bill, resolution, action, etc. that is supported by two parties. I believe bipartisanship is a good idea as long as one is not compromising his or her core values or betraying promises to his or her constituents.
Forman: Bipartisanship, in theory, is a great idea. There is nothing better in politics than an idea where everybody can reach a consensus and be happy. We’ve seen during President Obama’s term that it is much more difficult in practice than it is in theory.
Jonathan — tell me one good thing about Rick Santorum. Brittany — one good thing about Howard Dean.
Bull: The best thing about Howard Dean is that he is not currently holding an elected office.
Forman: Sen. Santorum is a great public servant and has been a strong conservative voice for most of the past twenty years. (That was two good things!)
Tickets are available for free at the Norris Box Office. The debate will be Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.