Debate at SEMO refreshingly civil

On Wednesday, the nation witnessed the final 2016 presidential debate. It was filled with all the barbs, quips and insults we have come to expect when Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump face off. Perhaps the candidates should have attended the Southeast Speakers Series last Monday to witness how to debate passionately but with civility. That is what attendees saw when CNN pundits Van Jones, a Democrat, and Kayleigh McEnany, a Republican, squared off in a debate of their own.

Moderated by political science professor Rick Althaus at the Show Me Center at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, the debate included topics such as the presidential candidates, liberty and justice, the Supreme Court, education and more.

A large crowd of students and community members, were in-house expecting the two pundits to give their viewpoints and to communicate their divergent party platforms. However, what they may not have expected were fair exchanges and disagreements not so partisan as to be void of concession when concession was warranted. The crowd may have even been pleasantly surprised by the respect emanating from the lecterns.

The Southeast Missourian's Ben Kleine, who covered the evening, noted, "Throughout the event, Jones and McEnany disagreed on deeply held ideological positions. The CNN pundits showed respect for each other, however."

Kleine went on to note that "Jones praised McEnany as one of the few 20-somethings he enjoyed and said she regularly 'ate other Democrats for lunch'" and that "McEnany said Jones always tries to understand the other side of the debate."

Refreshing indeed.

The entire affair was a lesson in civility, if nothing else, but, of course, there was much more to take away. Althaus did an excellent job moderating, as evidenced by the responsiveness of the students and community members present; Jones and McEnany were very talented, sharing information and expertise; and the university provided the public a passionate debate that should fuel interest in upcoming Speakers Series events.

NASA astronaut Captain Scott Kelly will close out 2016 when he comes to Southeast on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m., and civil rights activist Dr. Mary Frances Berry will kick off the 2017 portion of the series at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m.