Oberlin College students wanted debate, and groaned at bickering

OBERLIN — Women's rights issues weighed on Reagan Farmer's mind Tuesday night as she sat down on Wilder Bowl to watch the first presidential debate of 2020. The Oberlin College freshman, a self-described "Democrat all the way," said she was eager to hear the candidates' positions on the replacement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18. "I'm worried about Roe v. Wade, abortion," Farmer said. "I want to see if there's integrity in the Republican Party." To sway her mind in any degree, she said President Donald Trump would have to really deliver some shocking statements. Farmer was one of several dozen college students who spread out on the green in the heart of campus to watch Trump spar with former Vice President Joe Biden on the big screen. Oberlin College students historically lean heavily to the left on the political spectrum, and crowd noise favored Biden. "I want to see how Joe Biden comes across to centrist or moderate Republicans," said Felix Weber, who hails from California. He was skeptical about what Trump had to deliver, and voiced cautious hope about Biden's chances to win both Ohio and the presidency. Weber said he had been nervous about Biden, afraid he would come across as stuttering and unsure, until he saw him speak at the Democratic National Convention. Emma Rekate, from New York City, said she wanted to hear the candidates hash out big issues like gun control, school shootings, social unrest and racial injustice. Her biggest concern is the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, whose stances Rekate deemed "worrisome." She said she is worried about how Barrett may rule on abortion-related issues. She's also frustrated that men have historically dominated women's rights policy. "If you don't have a uterus, you don't get an opinion. You don't get to decide what happens with any woman's body," she said. But the issues took second stage to open arguing as Trump ignored debate rules and went on the attack, interrupting Biden and ignoring moderator Chris Wallace. At first amused, Oberlin students openly laughed at the president's lack of decorum, roaring when Biden finally shook his head and asked, "Will you shut up, man?" There was also applause when Biden labeled Trump as "the worst president America has ever had" and a "clown." Students booed when Biden defended police and again when conversation turned to Trump's orders to end racial sensitivity training among federal employees. As the hour mark passed, students said they were tired of Trump's constant interruptions and alpha-dog mentality. Izzy Koo, from New York City, said she wasn't prepared for "such a complete display of juvenile behavior from Donald Trump. Honestly, it's completely appalling." The president didn't back specific plans and policies, relying instead on attacks, she said. Koo, a Democrat, said Trump's sole redeeming quality is that he's running the country like it's a business — but there's nothing he could say that would convince her to vote for him. Julia Malakar, who grew up in Oberlin, said Biden behaved more presidentially than Trump. "He's making better points, and Trump is just interrupting and personally attacking him, not really answering any of the moderator's questions," she said. Emma Floyd said she grew up in Washington, D.C., steeped in politics since she was 5 years old. She praised Wallace for reining in both Trump and Biden at points. But she sided unilaterally with Biden. Floyd said he was doing a good job "ignoring Trump's personal attacks and lies as much as he can, and focusing on policies instead of getting in petty fights." Malakar said it was impossible to declare a debate winner, since there was little in the way of honest or insightful discussion. "There hasn't really been a debate," she said. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.