During the presidential and vice presidential debates, SF State students gathered in the Cesar Chavez Student Center to watch. They laughed, discussed and clapped in support of their favorite candidates.

On Tuesday, Oct. 5, a over 100 SF state students gathered in the five different areas in the student center, where televisions were set to the vice presidential debate. Students stood and sat with eyes fixed on the television, as young voters who are interested in being informed about the upcoming election.

A sociology and psychology junior, Cassie Quirindondo, said that the student center offered a good locations to view the debate. She said didn’t plan to watch the debates, but she stumbled upon them and became interested.

“I wanted to see the views of the vice president candidates,” said Quirindondo. “I think they are a good reflection of the presidential candidates because they are [candidates] specifically chosen as running mates, and it gives me an idea of who might run for president in the next election.”

Quirindondo said she believes that it’s important to vote beacuse the election is such a close race. After the confusion in Florida after the 2000 election, she said it’s important to go out and vote this year.

Seated in the lower conference level of the student center, speech and communications junior Evert Zelaya, thinks that Sen. John Kerry's ticket is winning the debates.

“I’ve watched both debates, and the Democrats have more solid evidence behind their opinions,” said Zelaya. “The Republicans are trying to win the debates by using the ‘war on terrorism’ to cause emotion in voters.”

Although Zelaya plans to vote for Kerry, he said he is watching the debates to make sure all his reasons are correct. He said he believes that, under Bush’s administration, the middle-class is disappearing and hopes that the outcome of the election changes that trend.

During the Friday presidential debate, three televisions were set up and 34 students showed up to watch.

Some students said they thought Kerry won Friday’s debate.

“He spoke a lot about the tax cuts, and I think that’s what people are interested in hearing [about],” said cinema freshman Julian Geaga. “I think a lot of young people will vote for Kerry, and I think the turnout of young voters will be high because there’s been a bigger effort to inform and get youth involved.”

Gaega said she enjoyed watching the debate and felt it was important because people were able to see the candidates' reaction to each issue and question. She also said that she felt she could trust what the candidates say when they are live in front of an audience because it’s harder to dodge questions.

Senior Alexis Madayag, a BECA major, had different reasons for thinking Kerry won the debate. She said his answers were logical and in-depth, while Bush’s were short and vague.

“I’m definitely voting this election to make change because I have family in Iraq that I haven’t seen in over a year," said Madayag. "I think everyone wants change, and hopefully they recognize that Bush’s administration is dividing instead of unifying the country.”

There were some who thought Bush didn't to terribly, though.

Senior Fred Schrunk, a history major, felt that Kerry didn’t perform well during Friday’s debate because he spent most of his time attacking Bush’s administration instead of focusing on his views about the issues.

“These debates are important because they inform people and help them get a clearer opinion about each candidate, and it’s important to know everything about your candidates running for president,” said Schrunk. “Every time I watch the debates or read the newspaper, I learn more.”