Houston Hall was host to a virtual orgy of political wit, wisdom and rhetoric as the College Republicans clashed with the College Democrats as part of the Penn Forum Tuesday night.
With nothing off limits, discussion turned heated as panelists covered topics such as abortion, gun control and tax policy.
After both sides delivered brief opening statements, moderator and Wharton professor Charles Forer fielded and helped clarify questions -- in addition to trying in vain to limit the time each side spent responding.
Asked about what they thought their parties could do to attract more minorities and increase diversity, each group took a different approach.
The Republicans chose to emphasize their record of support for minorities.
"We're the party of Lincoln," College Republicans Chair Dan Gomez said. "We're the party that supported Miguel Estrada."
The Democratic panel responded by citing the colorblind appeal they believed their platform had.
"I think the Democratic party's policies are better for the common American," Dan De Rosa said in his answer, stressing that people naturally look to whichever party offers them the most benefit.
The evening was also an occasion for the kind of quick-witted humor that the politically conscious crowd appreciated.
When the debate over abortion became increasingly heated, the Republicans eased the tension with humor.
"I think there is a stark difference between this administration," the Republicans said, "which is actually trying to do something about women's issues -- and the previous administration, which was just doing women."
Following this comment -- and at several other points during the debate -- audience members clapped and cheered.
However, the Republican panel often seemed frustrated throughout the night by the limited amount of time they were given to respond to audience questions -- which were often long and multifaceted.
"These issues aren't two-minute sound bite issues," College sophomore and Republican Timothy Nuter said in his closing remarks.
But most participants still left feeling informed.
"I thought it was a very lively discussion," College senior Arshad Hasan said.
But Hasan, along with his fellow Democrat panel members, drew criticism from some of the Republicans.
"I think the Democratic panel did a nice job of writing their own questions and distributing them throughout the audience," Nuter said.
Gomez was more circumspect in discussing the way he felt the debate had gone.
"I think it's always worthwhile to bring the issues to people's attention," he said.
