While the locations for Michigan’s gubernatorial debates are not yet set, the candidates should jump at the chance to hold at least one of their forums in East Lansing - more specifically, at MSU.
The AARP, the official name of the American Association of Retired Persons, has contacted the campaigns of Democratic Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and GOP Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus about the possibility of an East Lansing debate. The organization submitted a formal request for a debate to be held Sept. 12 at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.
MSU’s undergraduate student government has also contacted the candidates’ campaigns to talk about the possibility of a campus debate. ASMSU Student Assembly Chairperson Matt Weingarden said an MSU debate would likely be set for October, if the plans could be worked out.
A debate held at MSU would be highly beneficial to both candidates and student voters. Campus would be an excellent venue for a gubernatorial sparring between Granholm and Posthumus.
A debate would help spark the interest of college students, who are often apathetic because they feel candidates do not care about their concerns.
It also would allow the candidates a chance at winning over Michigan’s youth and the opportunity to get in touch with the ideas of the state’s future leaders.
Candidates should want to show Michigan voters that higher education is important to them. What better way than to go among the state’s students and engage in a debate.
It is no secret that the state’s higher education institutions are facing economic trouble given Michigan’s expected budget shortfalls in the near future. It is important for voters to know the candidates’ plans to protect the state’s colleges and universities.
This year, Michigan universities reached a deal with Gov. John Engler that said the state would provide the same amount of funding as it did the previous year if each school promised not to raise tuition rates above 8.5 percent.
MSU raised its 2002-03 rate by 8.5 percent. Last year, school leaders upped tuition 8.9 percent, citing state funding as the reason for the university’s largest rate hike since MSU President M. Peter McPherson promised in 1994 tuition rates would not rise above the projected rate of inflation.
Michigan’s students are the state’s future. It would be wise of the gubernatorial hopefuls to show student voters they are aware of that.
Presidential hopefuls have known that. The 1992 presidential debate between then-President George Bush, then-Gov. Bill Clinton and businessman Ross Perot was held at MSU.
By choosing MSU as the site for a gubernatorial debate this fall, Granholm and Posthumus will help ensure an advantageous situation for Michigan’s youth and both of their campaigns.
