From Deseret News archives:
Debate readies students for informed votes
On the morning of the day I wrote this, before I had a chance to think of lunch, I was forced to endure the smells of candidates being slow-roasted on the sharp-tongued spits of e-mails. Some said Barack Obama is a closet Muslim and a communist who cheered on the Kenyan prime minister. Others said John McCain would destroy the Middle East and raise gas prices with his angry rhetoric.
Another typical day in late fall 2008.
Which is why my schedule tomorrow has me so delighted. I will be moderating a presidential debate not some nationally broadcast meeting of the major party candidates, but a debate between junior high school surrogates for the major candidates at Legacy Preparatory Academy, a charter school in North Salt Lake.
Not only has he organized a debate in front of the entire school among four students he chose to represent the candidates and their running mates, he has committed himself to casting his own vote on Tuesday for whichever candidate students at the academy select in their own vote following the debate.
I know what you're thinking. Here is his answer:
"I've been very careful when talking to my students to let them know I'm not throwing my vote away," he said. Instead, he wants them to know that their carefully researched opinions matter; that they will make a difference. It is, in a way, his own vote of confidence in the future generation, as well as a powerful challenge for them to take seriously the trust the nation will bestow on them in a few short years, when they turn 18.
He's making sure they don't take this trust lightly. I'm told the students have spent many long hours studying the candidates' positions on a wide and deep list of issues. The surrogates will represent McCain, Sarah Palin, Obama and Joe Biden and will be expected to answer as if they were them. I will spend the weekend preparing questions on the economy, foreign policy/national security, health care, energy, education and social reform, which includes gun control, gay marriage, the environment and stem-cell research.
Recent comments
The Deseret News has had a longstanding policy of not publishing...
DeseretNews.com moderator | Nov. 2, 2008 at 12:31 a.m.
- Mormon Times briefly 5:00 p.m.
- Syracuse woman gets 1 year in jail 4:55 p.m.
- NFL locals report 4:54 p.m.
- Oregon Duck sits after rap video 4:49 p.m.
- Patriots vs. Saints 4:43 p.m.
- Man freed from Utah County cave 4:42 p.m.
- Women pro sports continue struggle 4:41 p.m.
- Navy seeks bids for USS Kennedy 4:19 p.m.
- RSL trades Seitz to Philadelp 4:18 p.m.
- Iran urged to compromise on nukes 4:17 p.m.
- Donny and Kym dance to victory
- Howard made the rivalry a rivalry
- Crews working to free man in cave
- Cougars cruise past Southern
- Loyal to Cougarettes, Crimson Line
- Twitterati to BCS: 'We hate you.'
- Y. focused on 10-win season
- BYU has slim shot at BCS
- Witness describes '99 killing
- Thunder rolls by Jazz
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
256 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
226 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
205 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
129 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
98 - 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
96
As one of Jeff's colleagues on the council, I'll miss him and wish him and...
Crusader: They are all part of the University of Utah family. If you want...
At least Palin is more believable in her odd religious beliefs and not like...
HATCH: " Amid that, Hatch joined the group of GOP senators in their...
Not to nitpick but you have to be kidding about Clements being a better...
Blah blah blah. That's all I hear from liberals becuase I blindly trust...
@doing my part 4:08 p.m.: "But by carefully conserving water with the...
In addition to my previous post - I like the quote "one of its most...
Believing there is nothing wrong with our climate that needs to be corrected...
Don't be too critical of this idea. Two hours is two hours. I recently got a...

