By CASSIDY DESTEFANO
Staff Writer
Coined by some as the “Great Debate,” the CHS Mock Election Debate took place yesterday in front of the entire student body and faculty.
Interviews of the candidates were broadcasted on Channel 64’s The Viewfinder hours before the debate. Green Party candidate Jill Stein was represented by sophomore Megan Kelleher, who stood in for sophomore Emily Woods who was unable to attend.
“It would have been more interesting and fun to watch if the candidates could interrupt one another and be fierce like in the real debates,” sophomore Ashley Chu of Manalapan said.
The debate featured the four main candidates: senior Matt Goldman portraying incumbent President Barack Obama, senior Taylor Walters taking on the role of Governor Mitt Romney, senior Adam Dorfman playing the part of Libertarian Gary Johnson and sophomore Megan Kelleher standing in for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
Questions were posed to the candidates by moderators senior Francesca Cocchi and junior Tyler Paley. Topics included foreign affairs in the Middle East, gay marriage, abortion, and minimum wage.
Freshman Jane Maloney of Middletown was originally an Obama/Goldman advocate, but Stein’s overall “clarity and plans for renewable resources” swayed her opinion.
Meanwhile, Chu stands by her original candidate choice, Obama/Goldman.
Students agreed that Johnson/Dorfman and Stein/Kelleher were able to effectively gauge the audience with their third-party views.
“I couldn’t stop laughing at Johnson/Dorfman’s jokes and they got my attention,” freshman Connor Duffy of Freehold said.
Sophomore Max DeGeorge of Ocean seconded Duffy’s opinion.
“I feel like humor made people feel closer to the candidates and they’re also more engaging,” he said.
Chu interpreted the climax of the debate to be when the crowd applauded for Obama/Goldman and his recurring statement that a woman should be able to do what she wants with her body, without government interference.
However, Maloney, found the high point to be the discussion of gay marriage because “it’s been an anticipated topic for the debate.”
The final voting will take place Thurs. Nov. 1 for all students who have registered.