punditry.ca — uncovering DSU elections

I thought I had seen John Hillman there, video camera in hand. I was kind of hoping to hear some of the discussion on the debate as there was a better structure to it allowing for opening, closing, and rebuttal statements. Content was, in my opinion more relevant to analyzing the candidates platforms than the Studley debate. Also, in my opinion, quality questioning, excellent rebuttals, and inadequate answers by candidates showed definite flaws and holes in some of the candidates’ platforms.

Yes it was the day after St. Paddy’s day, but for only one pundit to make an appearance (especially where the Carleton Debate was cancelled) and no commenting regarding, I feel a great injustice has been done to the candidates in the VPI, Senate, Education, and VPSL positions as they will not be given another chance to debate in such a forum.

I was only able to catch a couple of minutes before running off to a lab, so I was only there for the beginning of the VP Internal part.
The crowd was largely non-engineers with maybe half a dozen engineers in the back – though there was also a recruitment display.

To preface, I’d say i’m an average engineering student with an admidettedly limited knowledge of the candidates so most of my impressions of them are based from the few minutes they talked for.

Anyways, From the part I did catch, I heard that (in no order):

Whitfield: Started with a ‘story’. Explained how the engineering cluster was in Howe and he made a lot of friends there his first two years. This year all his buddies disappeared so he ventured down to Sexton and fell in love. Apparently he now attends engibeering/ T-room every once in awhile. He wants to get sexton students more involved in the DSU as he views sexton as a very close-knit and involved society and wants to try and emulate it up campus. He definately talked up the engineers, giving an excessive amount of praise – perhaps a bit too much but it made sense for the venue. From my limited time, i’d say he spoke quite well though he did seem to be just sucking up to us a bit. Name dropped his website A LOT, and actually said who he was a couple of times – other candidates sort of mentioned theirs as after thoughts.

Kurin: At first she seemed a bit nervous, stumbled with phrases a bit. I was rather unimpressed. While discussing the standard DSU and sexton question she proposed having tiger patrol run more frequently, and it almost seemed like she went so far as saying that was the reason executives missed their sexton hours. Basically gave me the impression that the only way she’d ever be at sexton was if tiger patrol drove her down there and picked her up. AND then she went on to remind the audience that there is a 4th campus in yarmouth and she has been on the phone with them for the last little bit. Awesome. As a sexton student I don’t really see why I need a tiger patrol shuttle – everything we need is at sexton and there first needs to be an incentive for us to be on studley before I’ll head up there frequently – a more “convinient” ability to do so does nothing for me, and I even live closer to Studley campus. Also for being asked a question about Sexton – she probably should have talked about Sexton. I’m sure the Yarmouth campus is great, but we don’t really care – it isn’t going to help get you any votes on Sexton.

Hiltz: Him and Whitfield spoke the best. It sounded like he actually knew what he was talking about and while he basically just repeated exactly what was expected of him (more executive hours…) he came off the most professional, and looked the part too. Came dressed up in a suit, shirt tucked in, which while I imagine means just about zilch in the long run – did give a great first impression. He didn’t really say anything of substance but he made logical points and explained them well. Of note, he went on to explain Blake’s rebuttal on why buses are better then tiger patrol in his own rebuttal. Seemed quite likeable and competent but definately a bit less outgoing then Whitfield. Strong performance.

Blake: He showed up, apparently. He didn’t really leave an impression on me positively or negatively. He was just there. Can’t actually remember much about him – he just sort of made his points and was done. I can’t even remember if he said his name during the introductions. Though he did make an excellent one-line rebuttal to Kurin. “Tiger patrol vans hold six and buses hold…. a lot.”