Search History, Read Carefully, and Always Question Things

Photo by Lauren Aktug.
Photo by Lauren Aktug.

Harry Hall, a Navy Veteran, and Janet Magruder were at the Darlington Heights Fire Department in Cullen, VA campaigning for Donald Trump on Tuesday, Nov. 8th, 2016.

Hall and Magruder had been trying to get the public to vote republican by word of mouth before campaigning at the polling place in Cullen, VA.

“Less government, less dependence on freebies, more responsibility for the individuals, and a smaller part with less government. If you look at the most people who really do work in the world, they abide by that because they have to earn. They don’t get free. You can’t find that on the other side.” Hall said about why the public should vote republican.

An interesting fact about Hall is that he knew a few of the candidates that were running for president.

“I knew Carly Fiorina, I knew the Bush’s – my wife worked for George Bush in the White House – I know Kasich, Marco Rubio, and I’m sad to see that they weren’t strong enough to stand up for their ideals.” Hall said.

“Trump said some things that were stupid, down right degrading in some ways, but he’s a builder. When you’re an old dirt kicker and you understand, you can’t build a house unless you put down a foundation. You don’t put foundations on outhouses,” said Hall about one of the many reasons why he voted for Trump.

Just because Hall voted for Trump does not mean he does not think a woman can’t be president.

When approached with the question about if he thinks a woman could hold the presidency title, Hall responded, “Absolutely. But she has got to have had the experience in the process. She can’t have had experiences made by politicians. I think it would be good because I think the temperament of a woman might be good to do it as long as she has the back-up.”

Hall and Magruder both think that Hillary Clinton doesn’t have the back-up she needs because, “She left four people that I used to work with in Benghazi to die, so do you think I think she can do the job? No.” Hall said.

Magruder responded to Hall’s comment by saying, “Corruption. Corruption there and left them to die. It’s terrible and absolutely disgusting.”

Hall thinks this election is sad. The reason being is because the younger citizens have to deal with the repercussions of this election. Hall said, “It’s sad. You know what’s sad about it? I’m old, I’m going to die one of these days, I don’t really care. I’ve been there, done that, shot, run over, bumped, hit, whatever I’ve been in my life. You guys are the ones are going to inherit this. You guys need to really sit down and look at what it is. There are no free lunches in this world.”

Magruder commented on the millennials generation by saying, “You all’s generation really needs to talk it up. I know a lot of times colleges are very liberal-minded also. We see that it’s pushed by the professionals that a lot of times are the professors there, that’s where you all are real handicapped, so really do some double checking to what they’re saying.”

If Hillary Clinton becomes president, Hall thinks, “We’re in big trouble.”

“I was here at 5 o’clock this morning getting ready, and I will be here until the last dog goes home,” said Hall.

When asked about their final thoughts on this election, Hall responded with Magruder agreeing, “Search history, read carefully, and always question things.”

POTUS is here!

The crowd in Greensboro, North Carolina caught up in the moment with cellphones out as Obama walks out getting ready to speak.

The crowd in Greensboro, North Carolina pulls out their cellphones and tablets as Obama walks out on the stage of the Greensboro Colosseum.

All Gone to the Debate

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Pictured: The Republican Victory Center in Farmville at debate time. Image by: Lindsay Manning

Pictured: The Republican Victory Center in Farmville at debate time. Image by: Lindsay Manning

On Tuesday night, the Republican Victory center had a small crowd show up to view the Vice Presidential Debate, but it was not because of a lack of support. Instead, a lot of those who would have been there to watch the debate got to be involved with the night’s activities.

According to Kathy Brodie, a volunteer at the center, a call came in that evening before the debate that called for “double volunteers.” These volunteers’ jobs included ushering in the debate hall, holding signs for prominent figures in the media center, and even carting around Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump to important locations on campus, such as his post debate interview with CNN.

When asked about the debate, Brodie talked highly of Pence’s reserved demeanor. During the debate the two candidates had different approaches: Pence’s calm handling of questions, and Kaine with a plan to focus the debate on Trump’s missteps. Pence spent most of the debate sidestepping the assaults on Trump while Kaine tried to lay down pressure.

Brodie’s response to the questions was that she felt they were more “balanced” and “thorough” than those at the Presidential Debate. She also stated that the candidates “answered in the way I expected politicians to answer questions in a debate.”

The answers were good from both sides, drawing applause from their supporters at Longwood University’s viewing party. The only real issue was that both candidates had a tendency to ignore the questions and focus on their party’s agenda. This caused negative reactions on Twitter.

Both Brodie, and Department Chair, Cindy Koether were proud to have the debate in Farmville. Brodie worked in the media center with Matt Schlapp from the American Conservative Union, and Koether’s husband, Dr. Robb Koether of Hampden Sidney College, was an usher during the evening.

Koether was glad to see the support for the Republican party, stating that she has seen many new faces arrive to support the party over the past few months. So the small audience in the Republican Victory Center was not because of lack of support, it was instead because of the large amount of support the party has been receiving in recent months was present at the debate.

Standing with Trump in a Sea of Opposition

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By: Grant Cole & Chris Clements

Salveson shows his support for Trump. Image by: Lindsay Manning

Pictured: Salveson shows his support for Trump. Image by: Lindsay Manning

The CNN and MSNBC stages were crowded with Hillary supporters all day Tuesday during the coverage of the Vice Presidential Debate held at Longwood University. As the day went on the Trump supporters began to sprinkle in, and the first to take action at the MSNBC stage was supporter Jon Salveson.

When asked about the upcoming VP Debate, Salveson stated that he believed that Pence’s debate experience and “higher respectability” would put him ahead of Kaine on the debate stage. Salveson also has confidence that neither VP candidate will attack the presidential candidates, and both will prefer to stick to the issues in a more civil debate than the Presidential Debate at Hofstra earlier this year.

The Hofstra debate had Salveson wishing that Trump had put more effort into debate prep. “It’s a different ballgame from the Republican debates,” said Salveson, “The Republican debates [were] a lot easier because there wasn’t a lot of competition there. This is stronger. Hillary is very organized…” Salvison wants to see Trump put a bigger focus on the issues being discussed at the debates, to avoid being baited, and to learn to handle criticisms better.

Salveson plans to attend the Campus Debate Watch Party held at the Stubbs Mall to view the Vice Presidential Debate after being convinced to attend by President Reveley of Longwood University.

It’s Debate Day!

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Photo by: Tia Dillahunt              Text by: Richie Kamtchoum

Wentworth Brown

The underlying story in regards to Longwood University’s hosting of the vice presidential debate has been the affect it would have on the town. Depending on who is asked, various citizens of the town have strong feeling either way.

Wentworth Brown, a resident of Farmville and an excited registered voter thinks it’s only worked in the town’s favor.

“I feel good, pretty good,” Brown said. “So no I don’t think it’s affected the town any at all, I think this is a good thing for the town.”

Carrying a strong accent, Br”own would go on to reveal his foreign background, which plays a big part in his political outlook. I wasn’t born here, I was born in the Caribbean, moved here and I’m a citizen I’m a registered voter, so I’m looking to what it going on in the states here,” Brown said. “We don’t want anything like what some of the candidates say go on because I think it’d be bad for the country.”

The candidate Brown is referring to is Donald Trump, as he is admittedly a Democrat with a firm stance on which candidate he’ll vote for. Despite such, he is curious to see how Mike Pence and Tim Kaine handle themselves.

“I’m looking to hear a lot of policy in the debate tonight. That hasn’t been talked about between both presidential candidates so I’m looking to hear about policy,” Brown said.

It’s Debate Day!

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Photo by: Tia Dillahunt             Text by: Anthony Rinaldi

Jason Moore

Although the main attraction for Longwood University’s debate extravaganza is the vice presidential debate itself, some people appreciate the experience just as much if not more.

Sitting next to the water fountain outside of Ruffner Hall, Jacob Moore veered into the crowd as Tim Kaine supporters anxiously cheered for MSNBC. Moore, a former Longwood University student, seemed to be soaking it all in.

“I think its pretty exciting for the town of Farmville and Longwood University,” Moore said. That excitement has brought him to campus with an interest on taking in a once in a lifetime experience.

Not as adversely affected by the debate’s construction and seemingly complete takeover of town, Moore sees it as a necessary evil for a greater benefit. “I think its brought a lot of recognition to the town so I think its definitely been worth it for people knowing about the town,” Moore said.

Moore is probably what the town had in mind as an experience for students and citizens alike. In fact, he may even forego the actual political action associated with a debate. “I’m just interested in learning about it, I don’t really have an opinion too much,” Moore said. “Do I plan on voting? Probably not. This is more so an experience for me.”

VP Debate Day 1

http://tiadillahunt.tumblr.com/post/151320405682/longwood-university-senior-jonathan-bland

Photo by: Tia Dillahunt            Text by: Richie Kamtchoum

Jonathan Bland

On the center of Longwood University’s campus is Stubbs lawn, a central hub for all things student related regarding the vice presidential debate. A large stage, food vendors and students consume the once vacated area.

On Sunday, pop group MKTO performed and the Jubilee gave out 50 tickets for students to watch the debate in Willett Hall. Senior Physics major Jonathan Bland was one of those lucky students and couldn’t be more excited for it.

“I won a ticket, so I get to actually be in the debate hall. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it’s pretty cool,” Bland said. Aside from getting to view the debate live, Bland was fairly positive on Longwood’s role in hosting the event.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Bland said. “Getting around campus has been a little hard trying to navigate, but most of my classes aren’t near the construction.”

Bland also thinks the experience will provide the necessary exposure the school aimed for. In contrast, several students have voiced their discontent with the Longwood’s construction management and overall debate experience.

Although Bland is firmly grounded in his voting stance, he’s voting for Hillary, he’s still anxious to see the two running mates go head to head.

VP Debate Day 1

teana-overton

Photo by: Tia Dillahunt             Text by: Richie Kamtchoum

Teana Overton

A criminal justice and psychology major with an eye on criminal justice reform, Teana Overton hasn’t been necessarily pleased with this year’s election campaigns and Longwood’s handling of the vice presidential debate

“It’s a good opportunity for us to have, it’s really cool that its been chosen here,” Overton said. However, she continued deeming the effort gone into the debate as a waste of time. “I don’t mean to sound harsh but it’s the vice presidential debate, I mean it really doesn’t mean as much as we believe. Ask yourself where was the last presidential debate?”

Despite such, it hasn’t stopped Overton from taking advantage of the once in a lifetime opportunity. Currently a volunteer with the secret service, the chance to add those credentials to her resume were too good to pass up.

As far as the debate itself, Overton is intrigued but unsatisfied with the debate format’s shortcomings. Typically a democratic voter, neither candidates have appeased her outlook on criminal justice. “For the Trump-Pence ticket to claim that they’re law and order and yet have no criminal justice reform in their background except for Stop & Frisk, they’re irrelevant,” Overton said. She agrees with Clinton’s reform policy but said wealthy people such as Clinton are the reason for new criminal reform.

“I’m actually voting libertarian this year,” Overton said. “We’re either liberal or conservative, we don’t want to have an in-between but maybe in the future that’ll change. But I’m voting for Gary.”

A Combo For Success

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By: Grant Cole & Christopher Clements

The VP Jubilee was the home of many pre-debate activities at Longwood University, many of which were family friendly. Edgar Jones, business owner and Farmville native, was present with his family at the event. Jones was excited for the debate and what it meant for the university, and his hometown of Farmville.

Pictured: The Jones family enjoys a game of XL Connect at the VP Jubilee Image by: Lindsay Manning

Pictured: The Jones family enjoys a game of XL Connect 4 at the VP Jubilee. Image by: Lindsay Manning

Farmville has received various visual upgrades as the debate has drawn near, and Jones is proud to see his hometown shine. “… it’s neat to see the development of [the] town,” said Jones, “ From a business-community standpoint, it’s just helped spruce things up, and I think there has been a lot of excitement in town.”

Many murals in town have received a fresh coat of paint, and Longwood University has added a new entryway on High Street to help spiff up the town for the debate. Along with this, many people on campus could be heard talking of what a huge event this was for Farmville.

A joint effort from both Longwood, and the town has been made to make the debate a huge success. With all the media attention the town has been receiving, plus all the new faces in town for the debate, businesses are sure to see an increase in revenue from this event. Jones is proud to see his hometown working hard with the university for the success of each other, “…I’ve always wanted to see more partnership between Longwood and Farmville, and it’s happening everyday.”

On the subject of the presidential race, Jones sees this race as one to be remembered for years to come. He also sees the upcoming Vice Presidential debate as a huge booster for Longwood’s reputation and storied history.