We Put NDSU Students to the Candidate Challenge: EXTENDED WEB EDITION
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Nearly 23 million people tuned into last night’s Republican debate. But how well do local college students know the candidates?
The Republican field is crowded with candidates as we saw during last night’s debate. So we came here to NDSU to find out what students are saying about the GOP hopefuls.
“I’m just kind of out of the loop on everything,” says NDSU sophomore Shawn Eidem.
This NDSU sophomore isn’t the only one who’s been out of the loop in terms of the presidential race. And with 16 Republican candidates alone, there’s bound to be some confusion.
So we read a list of names to several NDSU students in a game we call candidate or not.
Reporter says, “First one is Chris Christie.”
“She’s not a candidate,” says NDSU freshman Jimmy Thomas.
“He actually is a candidate,” says the reporter.
Reporter asks, “Ben Carson?”
“Not a candidate,” says NDSU freshman Courtney Kurtz.
Reporter asks, “Carly Fiorina?”
“No, I don’t think so,” says NDSU freshman Sam Abrahamson.
Reporter asks, “Jim Gilmore?”
“I think that’s a candidate,” Eidem says.
Reporter asks, “Mitt Romney?”
“No, not a candidate,” Kurtz says.
Reporter asks, “John Hoeven?”
“He’s a candidate,” says Thomas.
Reporter asks, “Ben Carson?”
“No,” Abrahamson says.
Reporter asks, “Carly Fiorina?”
“I don’t think that’s a candidate,” says Eidem.
Despite several guesses and blank stares, there was one name every student recognized.
Reporter asks, “Donald Trump?”
“Yes,” Abrahamson says.
“He’s a candidate,” says Thomas.
“Candidate,” says NDSU sophomore Aaron Bradford.
Trump has been getting most of the attention but that might change after last night’s debate.
“Really I think everybody did very well,” Trump says.
CNN calls former computer CEO Carly Fiorina the breakout star of the night, crediting her comments on Trump and Planned Parenthood.
“If you can’t fight on a debate stage then you’re not going to be able to stand up and fight for the American people. The American people are looking for a fighter,” says Fiorina.
As for students, many don’t know which of the many candidates they will be voting for.
“I’ve got to research a little bit more,” Abrahamson says.
The first Democratic debate is on October 13th.
