Students speak from the heart

The WIU professor directing the Mock Presidential Election reveled Thursday in watching students debate the war in Iraq and other issues.

"This is the part I'm most excited about," said Rick Hardy, chair of political science. "They're willing to speak from the heart."

Hardy spoke as student delegates debated the 20 issues or planks on the Democratic Party platform. The platform is a statement of the party's aspirations.

Student delegates took turns at microphones arguing for keeping or dropping certain planks. The often emotional debates were spontaneous.

One issue that divided the delegates was language calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

"I don't oppose withdrawing troops," said one student delegate representing Missouri. "What I oppose is immediately withdrawing troops."

In the end, the original language calling for immediate withdrawal remained.

In a lighter moment, students loudly booed a plank opposing the legalization of marijuana.

"The only reason we're debating upon this is because we're college students," said Jillian Weingart, who was among a minority of students who opposed the legalization of the drug.

By the end of the session, the delegates amended the platform to favor its legalization.