Debating the debates
If not for the blue University sign out front, the Miller Center on Ivy Road might look like just another colonial-style mansion.
But the Miller Center, deemed "the Center for the study of the American presidency" by Director Philip Zelikow, is more than a house on a hill - it is highly involved in the upcoming presidential election. In this vein, the Center will be hosting discussions following each of the three televised presidential debates as part of a public forum series beginning this Wednesday.
Zelikow, also a History professor, explained that the discussion scheduled for Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. will be an opportunity for people to get together for an analysis of the Oct. 3 University of Massachusetts debate between Texas Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore.
"We will be able to continue discussing what they mean - what light has been shed and what light has been obscured," Zelikow said.
Although the discussions will follow the same format each week, the panelists and moderators will vary, he said. This week, Government Prof. Ken Thompson will moderate while Government Prof. Emeritus Bill Miller as well as Government Prof. James Ceasar and Zelikow will serve as panelists.
While the panelists will be heading most of the discussion, Zelikow said there would be plenty of opportunity for student interaction.
The Jefferson Society, the Washington Society, and the International Relations Organization (IRO) are co-hosting the event.
President of the Washington Literary Society and Debating Union Andrew Curley believes "this is an opportunity to show the University community that there are students who are interested in and debate issues of this nature."
The debates will be between Al Gore and George Bush - and will air tonight on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and CNN. Despite the fact that 106 candidates filed with the Federal Election Commission as presidential candidates this year, only those candidates who have an average of 15 percent of public support in the polls may engage in the debates, as mandated by the Commission on Presidential Debates which sponsors the event. By this regulation, Green Party candidate Ralph Nader as well as Reform Party Candidate Pat Buchanan are not eligible.
Compiled by Christa Dierksheide
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