The best quotes from student GOP vs Democrat debate

The NYU Politics Society hosted a bipartisan debate with the NYU College Democrats and NYU College Republicans atC-95 Auditorium in GCASL. Let’s just say it was far from bipartisan.

Round 1: How immigration affects today’s economy

Players: The Democrats’ Austin Serio and Gabriel Jerome vs the Republicans’ Matthew Glaser and Ivan Teo

Moderator: Will Lockwood

“Immigration of unskilled workers is a strain on our economy” ~ Matthew Glaser [R]

“Yes, our party is for immigration, but the American citizens must come first” ~ Matthew Glaser [R]

“One of the big things that differentiate us from our opponents is we provide facts” ~ Gabriel Jerome [D] to a thunderous applause and plenty of laughs

“Why doesn’t the Vatican have the most robust economy in the world?” ~ Gabriel Jerome [D] after the GOP argues that large and growing populations can’t afford to offer jobs to everyone in the nation. The Vatican has 800 people and still has an unemployment rate.

“First of all that’s plainly racist” ~ Gabriel Jerome [D] after Matthew Glaser [R] refers to Latin American immigrants as “lower quality”. Matthew Glaser then claims the “racist” claim is a “petty argument” and denies being racist. An audience member then shouts that Gabriel’s claims are facts.

“We no longer have a frontier to explore. We no longer have railroads to be built.” ~ Matthew Glaser [R]

“YOU DIDN’T LET THEM RESPOND! You gave them more time!” ~ A sneak attack from the NYU Republican’s president Kelsey Trumbach (from the audience) to the moderator Will Lockwood.

“America was built by immigrants.” ~ Gabriel Jerome [D] in his closing remarks

“Some I assume are good people” ~ Ivan Teo [R] quoting Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump (to the dismay of most audience members). Ivan follows up his point by saying, “We need to find those good people,” and, “Let’s make this nation great again.”

Winners: Clearly the Democrats

Round 2: Government funded school vouchers and how effective they are

Players: The Democrats Jenny Neuman and Mike Loedel  VS The Republicans André Marinho and Benton Madsen

Moderator: Wenbo Wang

“They’re not under performing because they are lazy. They are under performing because they don’t have the resources.” ~ Mike Loedel [D]

“Public schools in the United States receive $10,000 per student.” ~ Benton Madsen [R]

“Private schools can add extra-curricular activities in a week, governments can not.” ~ Benton Madsen [R]

“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant, it’s just they know so much that isn’t so.” ~ André quoting Ronald Reagan.

“Maybe our educational system would be doing better if we didn’t demonize our teachers.” ~ Mike Loedel [D]

“We don’t, we don’t” ~ André underneath Mike’s point while Mike continues to speak. Benton Madsen then goes “ANDRÉ!” to silence his debate partner.

“Public money is going to religious institutions. How is that constitutional?” ~ Mike Loedel [D]

“They don’t force their patients to pray!” ~ Jenny Neuman [D] after Benton says Mount Sinai Hospital is supported by the government. Benton follows up by saying, “These schools are not forcing their students to pray!”

“If they don’t pray, they get hit by a nun!” ~ Jenny Neuman [D] to which audience members who have attended Catholic schooling countered that statement, forcing Jenny to take back her faux pas.

“Do you give a healthy man surgery?” ~ Benton Madsen [R]

“People are roped together by their zip code. People are told to go to schools based on where they live!” ~ Benton Madsen [R]

“They tried to turn this into a fight between the left and the right!” ~ Benton Madsen’s [R] closing remarks on the issue. (But isn’t that the point of a GOP VS Democrat debate?)

Winner: It’s a toss up. The GOP had more of the edge however because of Benton’s masterful and crafty arguing and delivery.

Quote of the night: At the very end NYU Politics Society and the NYU Republicans announce: “next Wednesday at 4pm (10/14/15), Jeb Bush Jr. will be in Kimmel.”