Students at SLU-Madrid reacted with hope and satisfaction to Tuesday’s U.S. vice presidential debate, calling it a “respectful exchange of opinions.”
The debate focused on key topics including the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy, giving young voters a chance to hear from the potential vice presidents. Many students expressed a mix of praise, criticism, and ambivalence as the candidates addressed these issues. The debate instilled a sense of confidence in some students regarding the political climate.
For some, the debate reinforced their political preferences, while others said it raised new questions or concerns. A clear description of the planned policies and stances on controversial topics was the reason for this. Melissa Hong, a public health major, was particularly focused on access to healthcare as a young woman.
“Tim Walz reconfirmed my trust in the Democratic Party’s plan for economic recovery and made it clear that they would support affordable healthcare,” Hong said. “As someone hoping to make a career out of making healthcare more available, this issue was, personally, very important.”
Megan Murphy, another public health major, said the debate shifted her perspective.
“I initially supported Walz’s plan for economic recovery, but J.D. Vance’s ideas to lower taxes and regulations seem great as someone entering the job market,” Murphy said. “I gained some clarity on the policies I support.”
Students also appreciated the tone of the debate and the professionalism displayed by the candidates. Many compared it to the presidential debate, noting that it was more civil.
Mina Rey, a political science major involved in Mock Trial, said she uses significant debates as models for her own practice.
“I enjoyed how this debate was more mild and respectful, with less fake news being spread,” Rey said. “I would definitely use this debate as a model of professionalism over the presidential debate.”
Hannah Goodwin, also a political science student, was also surprised by the calm mannered debate.
“To me, JD Vance seems like a really angry chihuahua, just barking away,” says Goodwin. “I thought he would have tried to mimic Trump in some way.”
Some students, however, found the debate less entertaining than usual. Roukaia Ali, an international business student, said she regularly watches political debates for their intensity.
“This debate was different in the sense that it was more a respectful exchange of opinions compared to the usual roast sessions,” Ali said. “It was refreshing to see a more serious debate, and I believe political debates should be less about entertainment.”
Despite being impressed with how “demure” the debate stage was, Sophia DeSantis, a junior at SLU-Madrid, doesn’t think students need to be overly concerned with watching the debate.
“I think there were clips worth watching, but in general, it was boring,” says DeSantis. She did not watch the debate live, but watched it the following day.
Charles Mut-Tracy, a Spanish-American student studying Political Science, watched the whole thing two hours after it took place. He thought the debate was beneficial for both vice-presidential nominees because they both performed well.
“I mean, if you just look at the approval rating change after the debate, you’ll see how much it changed, for both candidates, for the better,” said Mut-Tracy.
Other students found hope in the policies discussed. It provides them a sense of interest and confidence regarding the future decisions made for the country. Emily Hearn, a neuroscience major, appreciated Walz’s focus on diplomacy and alliances.
“I felt a sense of promise when Walz talked about the importance of maintaining strong relationships with allies for both national security and global stability,” Hearn said.
Clarity was a key theme for many students regarding both the policies and their feelings on various issues. Murphy said she felt reassured by Vance’s more isolationist approach to foreign diplomacy.
“I felt confident in Vance’s take that America needs to step away from foreign conflicts,” Murphy said. “I agree that we need to put America first before worrying about other countries and their affairs.”
