Red, white and blue streamers lined the ceilings of the Beit Midrash and “Hail to the Chief” blasted through speakers as Town Hall was transformed for a mock presidential debate last Thursday, featuring students playing the roles of everyone from candidates to Secret Service agents.
Seniors Daniel Schwartz and Jacob Ellenhorn, dressed in blue suits and striped ties, played the roles of President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney, respectively. Freshman Agenda reps Noah Rothman and Micah Gill stood at attention behind them, dressed in crisp black suits and dark sunglasses.
Acting as Vice President Joe Biden was senior Michael Lenett, while senior Elliot Sassover – dressed in pants and a hoodie – played the role of Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican nominee. Agenda Committee faculty advisor Mr. Chris Buckley acted as moderator for questions asked half by The Boiling Point and half from the audience.
The candidates made their entrances to cheers and handshakes and the program began with three-minute opening statements from each side. After that, candidates were asked a series of questions during three 12-minute intervals. The topics covered were foreign policy, the economy, the environment, science and technology.
Memorable questions from the audience included freshman Zev Frankel’s question about the candidates’ stance on Israel and senior Jordan Banafsheha’s question to President Obama about the lack of military security for the UN building in Benghazi.
Things got heated when talk turned to the Middle East, perhaps the most hotly debated issue at Shalhevet. A poll last month showed most students favor Romney, and many gave his perceived support for Israel as a reason. (See related story.)
Both candidates declared their support for Israel, citing its importance as the only democracy in the Middle East. When the subject turned to Libya, Daniel Schwartz as President Obama said his administration had been incorrectly told that fortifying security wasn’t necessary. Jacob Ellenhorn as Mitt Romney responded by fiercely declaring the Obama administration’s actions “inexcusable.”
The candidates had been informed of some of the questions in advance, and also spun out lengthy and detailed answers on subjects ranging from tax and budget policy to scientific research.
But perhaps the liveliest moment of the debate was completely unplanned. Daniel Schwartz was delivering closing remarks representing President Obama, and offered as proof of his security achievements the fact that he’d killed Osama Bin Laden.
Suddenly, sophomore Rina Katzovitz shouted from the back of the room, “With the help of Bush!”
This incited a brief lapse of decorum in the room as students broke into a chorus of first whispers, then laughter and loud talking. Order was quickly restored when the Secret Service, Noah and Micah, swiftly escorted Rina out of the room by the elbows, followed by an enthusiastic round of applause.
