Campus Conservatives debate set for two candidates

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Two candidates will attend Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate hosted by Campus Conservatives.

As of Thursday, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard and State Sen. Tom George are the only two Republican candidates to confirm attendance, said Campus Conservatives President Bryant Greiner.

“We are still going on with it,” the Hart junior said. “If they don’t show up, we will have podiums with their names on it.”

The debate takes place at 7 p.m. in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.

Invitations also were sent in November to U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, Attorney Gen. Mike Cox and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder.

Greiner said Cox declined to attend, but Campus Conservatives asked him to reconsider. Stu Sandler, Cox’s campaign manager, said Cox had a scheduling conflict.

WNEM TV 5 anchor Sam Merrill and former Michigan Republican Party chairman Saul Anuzis will be the moderators.

Ian Rubin, news director for WNEM TV 5, said Merrill was chosen from the station because he is experienced in moderating political debates and is a Central Michigan University alum.

Price tag: $4,000

The debate is free, but cost Campus Conservatives $4,000. The group requested funding from the Student Government Association’s Student Budget Allocation Committee in December, but was denied because the application was turned in too late, Greiner said.

The Office of Student Life and Dean of Students office decided to cover the costs, said Tony Voisin, assistant director of Student Life.

Greiner said $3,000 is going toward the cost of Plachta and $1,000 is being used for advertising.

So far, the only costs being covered are the university events expenses, including the rental fee for Plachta, which came to more than $2,000.

The offices are still waiting to figure out what else will be needed, Voisin said. The money is coming from the Campus Programming Fund, which is set aside to support students and their activities, he said.

“We were able to help them out with that,” Voisin said. “They are still checking into what they were going to do with publicity.”

Greiner said the focus is on students.

“Hopefully, students will see this as a way to get involvement in politics,” he said. “Our main purpose is for the students. We are the future of the state.”

‘A lot at stake’

Greiner said he hopes to see questions about the Michigan Promise, the candidates’ campaigns and other relevant information.

George said the debate should be important to students because it helps them learn about the candidates.

“It’s important because it makes a difference in their lives,” he said. “If they are going to stay here, they have a lot at stake.”

George said he did not vote to fund the Michigan Promise, because there is not enough money.

Newer programs are more at risk when looking at what to cut, he said.

Bouchard could not be reached for comment.

Greiner said he hopes students will get an insight into what the candidates are all about.

“I just hope students and community members come out to this,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see  candidates up close and in person.”