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GOP students attend Tempe prez debate

Five UA College Republicans traveled to Tempe last night to get a closer look at their party's presidential hopefuls.

The University of Arizona students listened to publisher Steve Forbes, U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, former U.S. diplomat Alan Keyes and U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as they debated Social Security, foreign policy and health care issues at Tempe's Grady Gammage Auditorium.

Seth Frantzman, the UA College Republicans president, said he wanted his club members to see who could be the next possible president of the United States.

"I definitely felt John McCain had the best take on foreign policy," said Frantzman, a history and political science sophomore. "He seemed more in command, more secure - almost more presidential."

He said he liked the fact that each candidate had different opinions about the questions asked.

"It's not a bunch of cookie cutters," Frantzman said.

Debra Sheets, a journalism and political science sophomore, said she was amused by Forbes' comment about Clinton being too promiscuous with foreign policy.

"I think he was right when he said we need to be careful when going into foreign countries and what wars we fight," Sheets said.

She said she is favoring McCain because he has more energy and presents himself better than the other candidates. She added that she agrees with his politics.

John E. Armstrong, the College Republicans adviser, said he thought Keyes was winning the debate. He said that Keyes had a "good flair for drama," almost giving a sermon-like speech.

Armstrong said he hasn't decided who he wants to be president and is waiting for the Republican Convention to finalize his opinion.

"Who knows - I might have a chance to see the next president and be able to tell my kids and grandkids," he said.

He said he liked Forbes' stances on Social Security and McCain's opinions about foreign policy.

He said he would like to ask the candidates if they would accept another position in the government if they didn't win the presidency to see if they are dedicated to serving the country.

"It means they have real long-term goals," Armstrong said.

He encourages UA students to vote in the 2000 presidential election.

"This is truly an election year for young people to get out and vote because we have a lot to lose," Armstrong said.