BY PATRICK YOUNGStaff Writer

Students with different political ide-ologies gathered Wednesday to debate the top issues of the 2008 presidential campaign at the Wise Center audito-rium. Those who considered themselves

Democrat, Republican and Independent discussed whether Barack Obama or John McCain had better stances on vari-ous policies. Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, Student Association, Black Student Alliance, Stennis-Montgomery Association and the Pre-Law Society sponsored the debate.

Holmes Cultural Diversity Center graduate assistant Leonia Fowler said she thought the students prepared well for the debate.

“I think the students have done a great job this evening debating the issues and showed up extremely prepared,” Fowler. “If even one person leaves tonight with a better understanding of the issues, then I believe we succeeded our goal.”

Among the issues discussed at the event were the war in Iraq, health care, education and the economy. SA secretary and event moderator Whitney Holliday held each side’s point of view to two

minutes with a one-minute rebuttal to follow.

The first issue of the evening, educa-tion, started to show the clear divisions between the two major presidential can-didates.

Sophomore Democrat Katie Allen spoke against McCain’s support of school vouchers and the No Child Left Behind Act.

“We should not give public money to private schools,” Allen said. “We need to improve existing education laws because No Child Left Behind has failed.”

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BY CARL SMITH

News Editor

The Mississippi State University Police Department is currently investi-gating a Saturday morning report of an attempted abduction and a gunshot on the south end of campus.

At approximately 4 a.m., MSU Police received a report that a firearm had been dis-charged in a parking lot behind Hathorn Hall.

In a statement published on the MSU Web site, MSU Chief of Police Georgia Lindley said the situation involved three individuals.

“Our preliminary interviews with witnesses indicate that a female stu-dent, 18, was on the passenger side of a vehicle when approached by a male she described as African-American, wear-ing black clothing with a bandana covering his face,” she said.

As the female student was approached by the masked male, another male stu-dent was waiting for her, Lindley said.

“The black male showed the female a gun and asked her to leave with him. She quickly ran toward her male friend, also 18,” she said. “Both reported hear-ing a shot fired as they left the area.”

Following the weekend incident Maridith Geuder, director of univer-sity relations, said the university will increase campus security patrols of residence halls. She said the patrols will last from sunlight to sunset.

“Students can always call for escort services 24 hours a day,” Geuder said. “If you’re on campus at night, it’s always best to be with a friend.”

At the time of publication, phone calls to housing and residence life administrators were unreturned.

Ann Bailey, director of housing and residence life, was out of town and could not be reached.

Dean of students Mike White and associate dean of students Thomas Bourgeois also did not return prepubli-cation phone calls.

In the release, Lindley said campus and local officials are conducting an aggressive investigation into the inci-dent.

“We encourage anyone with more information to call us at 325-2121,” she said.

Campus representatives from all parties discuss election issues

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TUESDAYNOVEMBER 4, 2008

Students debate candidates’ platforms

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BY COLIN CATCHINGS | Staff Writer

As Americans head to the voting booths today, their votes will help determine the country’s political direction for the next four years.

Mississippi State University College Republican chairman Nathaniel Dobbs said electors should vote for the Republican ticket, Sen. John McCain and runningmate Gov.

Sarah Palin, because McCain has experience dealing with tough matters.“I think he’s been a fighter for change the entire time he’s been in Congress” he said. “If [voters] want

somebody who fights for them, who understands what they’re going through, who respects the working class and somebody who supports middle class agenda, then [they will] support John McCain.”

MSU College Democrat President Chris Walton said voters should vote for the Democratic ticket, Sen. Barack Obama and runningmate Sen. Joe Biden, because America needs a change.

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Gunfire reported behind Hathorn Hall Saturday

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