The Report Card

But Lee Krabel, a member of the Belmont College Republicans and participant in the student debate, disagreed.

"I thought it was messy," he said. "I don't think it was moderated very well, and I don't think it was set up very well."

Several moments during the debate sparked enthusiastic reactions from the Belmont audience. Obama's assertion that college should be affordable for every student in America received applause.And McCain's comment "I didn't win Miss Congeniality in the U.S. Senate" received laughter, though his second delivery of the same comment was less well-received.

A short debate between the College Republicans and College Democrats followed the televised Presidential debate, during which members of the audience had a chance to ask questions. The debate focused largely on the economy, with a brief shift to the issue of genocide in Darfur.

Roxanna Hajjafar, Vice-President of the Belmont College Democrats, said she thinks a student debate gave Belmont students a unique way to discuss relevant issues.;

"You see kids your age sitting up there talking, really caring about what's going on in the world," Hajjafar said. "I think it inspires people to get involved."

Students in the audience had mixed reactions to the student debate.

"I thought it was very well put together," Belmont junior Athena Phillips said. "The students knew what they were talking about, and they had well-prepared, scholarly answers."

But Leipply said she thought both sides "spouted a little too much rhetoric." Other students said they were just happy to see their peers turning out for the viewing session and debate.

"I think it says a lot that Belmont students are willing to take off a Friday night just to hold a political event," junior Tiffany Hill said.

The Ole Miss debate watch gave Belmont students a glimpse of what they can expect when Belmont hosts the town hall presidential debate on October 7th.