Questions and Answers

This afternoon, I went to the speech by former New York Governor George Pataki, an event sponsored by the Cornell Republicans. The Republicans, apparently, were expecting such a big turnout that tickets were required to ensure a place in Bailey Hall (capacity 1,324). As it turned out, there were maybe 300 people there. But that's not the point.

Pataki got on stage around 5:45 and left at 6:30. He gave a half-hour speech, followed by a 15-minute question and answer session. When he ended his speech, he said something to the effect of, "I want to hear from you guys, so I'll stop there." To me, this clearly expressed a desire to have a constructive Q & A. He even commented that although the CU Republicans president (Ray Mensah) had advised him to avoid politics, he might "get into it a little" during the Q & A.

What followed, however, was disappointing. Every person who asked a question was respectful and reasonable, and Pataki gave intelligent responses. But the Republicans, whether out of fear of substantive debate, or possible tension, or whatever, hustled everything along. No one could ask a follow-up question; mikes were turned off as soon as each person stopped talking. At one point, someone asked Pataki a follow-up, and Pataki looked like he was about to speak, but Mensah pushed past Pataki to the microphone to announce that the questioner was "done."

After what seemed like a paltry number of questions, Mensah ended the Q & A. Forty-five minutes after Pataki began speaking, we were walking out of Bailey Hall.

From my recollection, the bigger-name speakers we've had recently, particulary Mike Huckabee and Shimon Peres, spoke for much longer and stayed longer for the Q & A. I want to emphasize that I don't think Pataki was the one pushing things along, but rather Mensah and the CU GOP. Maybe this is an unfortunate product of Bush-era politicking. Remember how only avowed Bush supporters were allowed to attend the president's speeches during the 2004 campaign?

Personally, I liked Pataki. Admittedly, he focused mostly on the environment and the economy, areas in which I happen to mostly agree with him. But I would have loved to hear him speak for longer, or at least respond to some more audience comments.

One of the most meaningful political experiences I've had at Cornell was watching Mike Huckabee have an intelligent back-and-forth with a student who was in favor of same-sex marriage. Both Huckabee and the student were clearly speaking from their hearts, and clearly believed strongly in what they were saying.

I don't know why the Republicans were so concerned about avoiding a similar moment today.