Simpson students gather for bipartisan debate watch party

by Ethan Fickau

INDIANOLA, Iowa (KCCI) — As millions of Americans tuned in to watch the second presidential debate Sunday night between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, students at Simpson College gathered for a bipartisan debate watch party.

While the atmosphere was mostly calm and respectful, at moments there were cheers and boos throughout the debate.

About 50 people filled the Kent Campus Center, where a voter registration table was set up for students who are voting for the first time, some of whom say this election is choosing the lesser of two evils.

“I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon,” Simpson student Cole Tramp said. “I just really disagree with Hillary, and I do not approve of what she’s done and that someone who has done that many wrong things shouldn’t even be able to run.”

“You’re seeing a very lack of control between both candidates,” Simpson student Jordan Pope said. “They’re very wild out there, and they’re kind of talking over each other. You’re really not getting to hear any policy, which is upsetting. But it also shows what we have going on here in 2016.”

Other students emphasized the importance of making everyone feel welcome at the watch party, regardless of their beliefs.

One woman said it’s important to bring people together to exchange opinions and beliefs in a mutually respectful environment, which helps find common ground and focus on similarities, not differences.