Prepare to party: bipartisan style

News of Republican presidential candidate John McCain wanting to postpone tomorrow's presidential debate hasn't changed plans for a campus debate watch party.

A watch party, held by the Department of Political Science and Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, is scheduled to go on as planned at The University of Memphis in the Michael D. Rose Theatre at 7:45 p.m. Friday.

McCain suspended his campaign and pushed for organizers of Friday's presidential debate at the University of Mississippi to delay the event, saying he wants to return to Washington to focus on the "historic" economic crisis the nation is facing.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama responded later that afternoon that he wants to continue with Friday's scheduled presidential debate.

"I think that it is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once," he told reporters at a press conference in Clearwater, Fla.

"The University of Mississippi is going forward with the preparation for the debate. We are ready to host the debate, and we expect it to occur as planned," the University released in a statement on their presidential debate Web site. "At present, the University has received no notification of any change in the timing for the venue of the debate. We have been notified by the Commission on Presidential Debates that we are proceeding as scheduled."

Canceling the presidential debate Friday would be "pretty unusual," said Robert Blanton, Interim Chair of the Department of Political Science.

If debate plans are postponed, Blanton said, "We'll do the same thing, different day. We'll just roll with it. What else can we do?"

Assistant Professor of political science Heather Larsen-Price coordinated the watch party with the good of students in mind.

"I want to encourage not just political science majors, but also bring in some students who haven't been as involved in the political process," Larsen-Price said.

Most politicians don't target the younger generation, considering the 18-to-24-year-old age group has the lowest voter turnout rate. Larsen-Price would like to see this change.

"Basically, they have to prove themselves as a group that they do care and want involved in the political process, and by doing that, future election campaigns will speak to them with their proposals instead of passing them," Larsen-Price said.

She said she wants to see students become more involved.

And apparently, some already are.

College Republicans at The University of Memphis is teaming up with College Republican organizations at Rhodes College and Christian Brothers University for a watch party Friday at Garibaldi's. Tigers for McCain will also be present.

"We just want to collaborate with other college campuses," College Republicans president Austin Ward said. "It promotes our agenda, and we get to touch base with what's happening on other campuses."

After the first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi, watch parties will be held for other debate events.

A watch party for the vice-presidential debate Oct. 2 is being held by West Tennessee Students for Barack Obama and College Democrats at the Dan McGuinness Pub on Spottswood starting at 8 p.m.

"[The pub] really wants to support The University of Memphis in getting students to vote smartly. They want to support our efforts," said Carlissia Graham, Co-Coordinator for Students for Barack Obama.

For Graham, the vice-presidential debate will be the most important.

"I want people to really see the vice-presidential debate and make the decision on who's more qualified to take on the position of president if the president steps down or can't stay in his position anymore," Graham said.

Students for Barack Obama is also hosting a watch party for the final presidential debate Oct. 15 also at Dan McGuinness Pub, followed by a debate at the Psychology Building at The University.

Six universities, including The University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, will participate in a simulcast during the Oct. 7 debate watch party held by the political science department, giving students around the state the opportunity to interact.

The goal of the simulcast is "to let the students draw their own judgments about the debate," Blanton said.

Each campus will give a five- to seven-minute presentation on a topic from the debate.

Memphis City Mayor Willie Herenton is scheduled to make an appearance at the event being held in the Michael D. Rose Theatre. Blanton said the department is still waiting to hear from other local politicians.

Even though Friday's watch party will not be as big as the Oct. 7 event, Larsen-Price still hopes students will take advantage of the opportunity at the Rose Theatre to learn more about the presidential candidates.

"Obama has a lot to prove and needs to show that he could be an effective Commander-In-Chief and make the public view him as a Commander-In-Chief," she said. "McCain: this is his strength ...he holds the advantage going in, and that's going to be a lot of work for Obama to come out on top, but it's possible."

Ward also expects students to see how the candidates address the nation's issues.

"Hopefully, we'll notice what the real issues are, what the candidates are really all about," he said.