Suffolk Professors Hold Mock Presidential Debate

With the political season reaching a climax, many people attended the mock presidential debate Tuesday, Oct. 12, held at the Modern Theatre between two Suffolk University Economic professors.

Professor David Tuerck represented Mitt Romney’s Campaign while Professor Jonathan Haughton represented President Barack Obama. Both Professors also work with The Beacon Hill Institute.

Their expertise led the focus of the debate to be on taxes, the budget, and the current jobs situation. While those topics were heavily debated, ‘Obamacare’ and foreign policy also held a large part of the conversation.

Tuerck’s speech focused on economics and foreign policy. By outlining a stagnant job rate, the increase of food stamp usage, and President Obama’s stalemate with green jobs, he made the case that government money should not be used for projects to create jobs. He also focused on President Obama's handling of the recent attacks on Americans in Libya.

As Haughton offered his rebuttal, he presented President Obama’s agenda for the next four years. Although less structured than the opposing speech, Haughton shed light on the fact that President Obama put a stop to the economic recession. He also showed that although at a slow rate, jobs were continuously growing under President Obama’s watch. The audience was also reminded of the benefits of ‘Obamacare’ and the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Both presented a different style of discussion – Haughton stepped away from the audience and tried to engage them through hand gestures while Tuerck made more facial expressions but never left his podium.

Although they were required to take turns speaking, there were several exchanges during which they interrupted each other.

“Obama wants to make us into Greece!,” said Tuerck. “Obama’s probably never even read an economics book in his life!”

Dr. Robert Rosenthal, Chair of the Department of Communication and Journalism, moderated the debate. He usually let the debaters fend for themselves, but had to bring back order when the issue of Iran and Israel was brought up.