Political groups to host TV debate

By Chris Ledermuller
Daily Forty-Niner

The California Young Democrats and Young Republicans are hosting a town hall meeting tonight at Cal State Long Beach to coincide with the presidential debate between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

The presidents of the Young Democrats and Young Republicans said they chose CSULB to get college students to get involved in politics.

"The emphasis is on young people's thoughts on national issues," said Ed Espinoza, president of the California Young Democrats. "We just want to hear what people are thinking."

Michael Mack, president of the California Young Republicans, said: "It's a great forum for young people to get involved and express their opinions. We will be asking the audience questions about how they felt about the debates and getting feedback from them."

Those attending the discussion will watch the debates from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and participate in a question-and-answer session moderated by Mack and Espinoza after the debate ends, Espinoza said.

Mack invites questions on most topics that are on people's minds but reminds guests that neither he nor Espinoza are agents of the national campaign.

"Ed's not speaking on behalf of the Gore campaign and I'm not speaking on behalf of the Bush campaign," he said.

The town hall meeting is scheduled to be held in PSY-154, but Espinoza said the venue may move to a conference room in the University Student Union if the turnout is large. Students and community members are welcome to attend.

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