Last night’s panel discussion about the 2008 election offered a rare chance for students and faculty to engage one another about issues presented in this campaign cycle.

Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honors society, sponsored the event. Three distinguished professors from the political science department, as well as two officers from both the College Republicans and the Young Democrats debated, rebutted, and at times, passionately retorted one another about issues such as identity politics, torture and the historical significance and precedents of the 2008 presidential election.

The two student-led political groups kicked off the night by stating their respective party’s priorities heading into this election season.

The College Republicans spoke about the three issues they believe are most important to Republican voters: the war on terror, immigration and the economy.

“All Republicans are united in making the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts permanent,” said Dan Murdock, an officer for the College Republicans.

The Young Democrats outlined the war in Iraq, the economy and healthcare as the three top priorities they believe Democratic voters value.

“I think all Democratsv, most Independents, and even some Republicans are looking for a change this election,” said Max Wagner, president of the Young Democrats. “After eight years with the Bush administration we are tired of politics as usual.”

Following these opening remarks, assistant professor Jack Turner, faculty adviser to Pi Sigma Alpha, spoke about the identity politics in this election, where he sees this election in terms of where it fits historically within American history.

Turner compared the 1928 election of Al Smith, the first major Catholic presidential candidate, and the 1960 election of John F. Kennedy, also Catholic, to the 2008 election. Candidate Mitt Romney would be the first Church of Latter Day Saint candidate for president, and like Al Smith and John F. Kennedy, Turner argued, Romney may face religious prejudice.

Turner emphasized the possibility of identity-based attacks on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain based on gender, race and age.

Assistant professor Matt Barreto also spoke about the topic of identity politics, particularly the Latino vote and the various remarks concerning Obama’s race made by both candidates and pundits.

“We haven’t come quite as far as we think,” Barreto said. “While we are breaking barriers, let’s not fool ourselves that all of this is behind us.”

[Reach reporter Garrett Troy at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]