Oct. 2 VP debate: Biden, Palin square off on economy, Iraq and taxes The eyes of the world were on Washington University Oct. 2 as it hosted the most anticipated vice presidential debate in U.S. history. Millions in the United States and around the world watched as Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware squared off on stage at the Field House in the University's Athletic Complex. 2008 WUSTL debate: A 'homecoming' Inside the debate hall, student involvement, and more from the 2008 vice presidential debate at WUSTL are chronicled in this special post-debate issue of the campus newspaper, the Record. WUSTL poised for historic debate "Media will swarm campus" is the headline this week in the student newspaper at Washington University in St. Louis where Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin are scheduled to kick off their much-anticipated vice presidential debate at 8 p.m. (CDT) Oct. 2, in the University's Athletic Complex. C-SPAN's Campaign 2008 Bus visiting WUSTL for vice presidential debate
C-SPAN's "Campaign 2008 Bus," a 45-foot long traveling television production studio that is used for political coverage and educational purposes, will be making stops in St. Louis Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 as Washington University in St. Louis hosts the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate between Republican Gov. Sarah Palin and Democrat Sen. Joe Biden. Red vs. Blue post-debate event The Red vs. Blue post-debate event will be held at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in Graham Chapel. Sponsored by Congress of the South 40 and Student Union, the event will focus on debate reaction by two political opinion-makers - Jonah Goldberg, syndicated columnist and author, and Peter Beinart, journalist and editor-at-large for The New Republic. WUSTL sells elephant, donkey cookies on campus through election
In a lighthearted experiment to see if cookie sales can predict the winner of the upcoming presidential election, WUSTL Dining Services is selling donkey- and elephant-shaped sugar cookies for $1.25 each. Young, Black and Ready to Vote Young, Black and Ready to Vote, a panel discussion co-sponsored by WUSTL's Association of Black Students, will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission in University City.
When the approximately 3,000 media swarm to the Field House for the 2008 vice presidential debate, they may notice two robotic boxers, one blue, the other red, duking it out near the Danforth University Center. |
Download
Media Alerts: Welcome center, credentialing, key deadlines, services, advisories
Media FAQ: frequently asked questions
Media kit - rate card, contacts, story ideas and more.
WUSTL campus footage - broadcast quality campus B-roll available for download
 |
| Kastor |
"These are unprecedented candidates in an unusual election year, but what's striking is how these candidates are positioning themselves and describing themselves in ways very similar to previous presidential candidates, and in ways that are very typical of their parties," says Peter Kastor, Ph.D., history and American culture studies professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
Palin's appeal rooted in Alaskan culture
|
| Darnell |
Part of the mystery of Sarah Palin is part of her appeal to Republican "outsider" voters who admire her qualities of independence and against-the grain political orthodoxy, says Alfred Darnell, Ph.D., visiting lecturer in political science.
|
| Agarwal |
"I understand why the economy and foreign affairs are the lead topics, but I would like to hear more about what each candidate would fund or cut in education."
"I was at Washington University for the 2004 debate but missed the opportunity to volunteer," says Pooja K. Agarwal, a graduate student majoring in experimental and cognitive psychology. "The excitement on campus had an impact on my interest in the campaign. Last time I watched, but this time I really wanted to be involved."
Hometown: Carbondale, IL/Chesterfield, MO
Sen. Joe Biden from Delaware and Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, the vice presidential nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively, debated each other Oct. 2 in the Washington University in St. Louis Athletic Complex.
Students and members of the media watched the vice presidential debate at various locations around the Danforth Campus.
After Dark Performs on CBS Early Show
The CBS Early Show kicked off debate day with a live broadcast from Holmes Lounge at Washington University in St. Louis. WUSTL's acapella group After Dark helped get things rolling with two original songs. Watch a video of the performance.
