VIDEO: Watch a recap of the watch parties and hear student reactions
Students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered at multiple debate watch parties on Mason’s Fairfax campus to witness the first-ever meeting of 2024 presidential candidates Kamala Harris (D) and Donald Trump (R). With less than two months to go until Election Day, this much-anticipated debate was the first chance for voters to evaluate the candidates side-by-side on the same stage as they responded to questions on the economy, immigration, reproductive rights, health care, foreign policy, and more.
ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis moderated the debate live from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA on Tuesday, September 10th. Per the debate rules published by ABC News, the debate lasted 90 minutes (with two commercial breaks) and each candidate was granted “two-minute answers to questions, two-minute rebuttals, and one extra minute for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses.”
While Mason Votes’ debate watch party was happening in the Johnson Center, students from Divine Nine student organizations gathered in The Hub at an event hosted by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Student reporters attended both events on behalf of Mason Votes to document the events, capture reactions, and learn more about why students are planning to vote in 2024.
Video Link: youtube.com/watch?v=pNi6zefjWRs
Watch Party #1: Johnson Center Atrium (hosted by Mason Votes)
Watch Party #2: The Hub VIP Meeting Room 2 (hosted by Kappa Alpha Psi)
It remains to be seen if Harris and Trump will face off again before Election Day (so far Harris says yes and Trump says no), but vice presidential candidates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance (R) have both confirmed their participation in a single VP debate hosted by CBS News that is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1st.
Stay tuned for more 2024 election coverage by Mason Votes!
_____________________________________________________________
Photos by: Mitchell Richtmyre
Video by: Mitchell Richtmyre & Mathilda Tataw
Interviews by: Mathilda Tataw
Voiceover: Ximena Espinoza
Video Editor: Patrice Pannell