The “America First Debate” was held in the basement of the Student Union on Oct. 18, sparking discussion and introspection from both sides of the political aisle on campus. The two debaters, Artemis Langford, representing Campus Democrats, and Gabe Saint, representing the Republican side, discussed a wide variety of issues and their stances on them, while also maintaining a positive attitude and being kind to one another throughout the session.
The debate began with a series of questions asked by moderators on general political issues facing the United States. The first question revolved around the recent discussion surrounding whether or not people should be allowed to concealed carry on Campus. Gabe Saint took a strong pro-gun stance, making it clear that he thought there was nothing wrong with students carrying on campus and that nothing was going to stop people who didn’t want to follow the rule from breaking the law. Langford took a more moderate stance. While she made it clear that Wyoming Democrats have a slightly different, more pro-gun stance than the rest of the nation’s Democratic parties, she also stated that the current rules on campus, prohibiting students from concealed carrying, were acceptable.
Following the firearms question, the two were asked about their stance on Marijuana legalization in Wyoming. Langford touted Colorado’s financial success and the failure of the War on Drugs as reasons to legalize it in Wyoming, while Saint stated that the long-term effects of the drug haven’t been fully studied yet and the smell wasn’t something he or many other people wanted in Wyoming. Following this, they were asked about their stances regarding the separation of church and state, most especially in schools. Saint stated that in the original context, the separation of church and state was supposed to protect various religious institutions from the state, not the other way around as the law is sometimes interpreted in modern times. Langford stated that there shouldn’t be any religion taught in public schools due to the aforementioned segment of the First Amendment.
The moderators then moved on to immigration. Saint argued that the United States should adopt a more restrictionist policy on immigration, only letting in the best individuals who wish to immigrate. Langford argued that the United States was built on immigration, and it was how the US stayed competitive in the modern world. Following this, the final question was regarding whether or not there should be a nationalized healthcare system. Both sides agreed that there should be some level of government-provided health care, but Saint argued for a state-level system, due to difficulties with implementing a nationwide system on that scale, while Langford argued for a federal system, touting systems like China’s and India’s.
The debate then had a portion where the audience could anonymously submit questions to both debaters. The most notable of these questions asked each of the two what their opinion was on people who felt misrepresented by both parties. Both candidates said that individuals should vote for who they believe in, regardless of party, and that they welcomed third-party candidates of various stances.
The “America First Debate” highlighted the range of opinions and thoughtful considerations that students on both sides of the political spectrum bring to pressing national issues. While Langford and Saint often differed in their perspectives—ranging from gun control to healthcare—they maintained a respectful dialogue throughout. This debate served as a reminder that, despite political differences, meaningful discussions can foster understanding and allow for the exploration of solutions that resonate with diverse groups of people.
