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The Dartmouth
June 8, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Watch party atmosphere proves subdued, controlled

10.12.11.news.WatchParty
10.12.11.news.WatchParty

The watch party's doors opened at 5:30 p.m., and the audience enjoyed performances and brief addresses from students representing campus political groups until the debate began streaming live from Spaulding Auditorium at 8 p.m. Two screens hung from the arena's ceiling, allowing students sitting on either side of the open area to view the candidates. Although the six front rows of one side of Leede were reserved for campaign VIPs, those seats remained empty throughout the entire debate.

While each campaign had been given a table, the campaigns of Gingrich, Huntsman and businessman Herman Cain did not attend the watch party. Volunteers from the other campaigns left their tables before the debate began.

Some students were particularly visible throughout the two-hour debate, as one held up a neon yellow sign reading "Don't Tax Me Bro," while another used an empty pizza box to make a sign supporting Cain, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza. Other students completed assignments or took notes on class readings during the debate. In addition to Dartmouth students in attendance, approximately 70 students from Lebanon High School and St. Michael's College in Burlington, Vt., came to the watch party, as well as several dozen community members.

Pre-debate speakers included Rockefeller Center Director Andrew Samwick, who said Washington's "limiting factors" are leaders' ability to transform good ideas into "good public policy." Samwick likened the current economic climate to that of the 1970s or the Great Depression.

"There's never a bad time for good ideas," Samwick said. "When good ideas come, jobs will follow."

Three volunteers at the debate Army Ranger Kevin Price '14 and David Brooks '15 and Ryan West '14 from the U.S. Marines were recognized for their military service during the watch party. Matt Knight '11, known as DJ Postman, joined two student a capella groups in watch party performances, while representatives from the College Republicans and College Democrats delivered brief pre-debate speeches.

Student reactions to each candidate varied when debate moderator Charlie Rose, host of PBS's interview show "Charlie Rose," announced the candidates at the beginning of the debate. While Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, and Cain received the loudest cheers, Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, Huntsman, former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., and Gingrich received a mixture of applause and boos. Bachmann received nearly universal booing within Leede Arena.

Students at the watch party remained calm throughout most of the debate. Sporadic applause and chuckles were mainly directed at Cain for his rebuttals to attacks from the other candidates and his strict defense of his "9-9-9" plan. Each time the plan a 9 percent business tax, 9 percent flat tax and 9 percent national sales tax was mentioned throughout the debate, entertained students cheered and clapped in response.

Gerben Scherpbier '14 said the candidates' frequent attacks on the 9-9-9 plan forced Cain to clarify his position. In contrast to Cain's repeated explanations of the plan's details, the rest of the candidates seemed to be "avoiding being specific," Scherpbier said.

Lisa Miranda MPH'12 said she found Cain's emphasis on change and the complete overhaul of the tax system appealing.

"It's refreshing to hear people saying they're not just going to tinker with what's in place, but change it completely," she said.

Josh Wang '15 said that while Cain's plan seems sensational, it could succeed if Cain really follows through.

"I think it's a creative way to get a new source of revenue," he said. "But it's more important to cut spending."

The most enthusiastic student responses came when candidates referenced Dartmouth or cracked jokes.

Watch party attendees' reactions to criticisms of President Barack Obama were mixed. Many members of the audience clapped when Perry said, "We need to do everything we can to replace Barack Obama in 2012." When Perry said Obama is a "jobs killer," however, Perry received the most negative reaction of the night in the form of loud boos.

Some attendees, like Scherpbier, expressed surprise that audience members were relatively relaxed.

"It was not as obnoxious as I expected," he said.

Although the mood of the watch party disappointed some people, Jesse Heussner '15 said he enjoyed watching the debate more than he thought he would.

"I think it's been really entertaining," he said. "It's less boring than I thought it would be because the candidates are going at each other."

Students interviewed by The Dartmouth at the watch party did not agree on a clear stand-out winner in the debate. Some enjoyed Cain's humor and overall performance, while others supported frontrunner Romney.

"I think Romney came off as the most clearheaded of all the candidates," Brad Nelson '13 said. "He received a lot of attention from the other candidates."

Following the debate, while students waited for candidates to arrive, College President Jim Yong Kim gave a brief speech in which he asked students to "be gentle" when interacting with candidates.

Of the six candidates confirmed to attend the watch party Romney, Perry, Bachmann, Huntsman, Cain and Santorum only Bachmann and Huntsman arrived. Gingrich, who had not been confirmed, also attended the event. All three candidates circled around the perimeter of the gated-off stage area to shake hands with students, pose for pictures and sign autographs.

Huntsman thanked students for attending the debate to learn about the candidates and issues, and told student voters in attendance that the future is in their hands.

Upon entering the arena, Bachmann received a mix of cheers and boos. When asked how she dealt with the negative reaction of Dartmouth students while on campus, she said she had not experienced any problems.

"This has been all positive the whole time," she said. "I love being at Dartmouth, it's been great."

When Gingrich took to the stage, he said this election is the most important since 1960, and that he intends to use his Social Security plan which allows people to choose personal Social Security accounts in which individuals can control their deposits and returns to mobilize a student movement.