Alhambra High School students may well have set a new standard for public discourse when they held a mock debate and election as part of their coursework in their Advanced Placement government class.
Six students took the stage, standing in for candidates who are currently campaigning to be elected U.S. President this coming November: of the Democrats there were Hassan Ahmed (John Edwards), Sophia Dai (Hillary Clinton), and Jonathan Truong (Barack Obama); the Republican side had James Luo (Fred Thompson), Philip Takhar (Rudy Giuliani) and Thomas Zhou (Mitt Romney).

Responding to questions posed by the event’s moderator Julia Wu, the candidates took on several of the hot button issues that have been a part of the discussion this election cycle: the Iraq war, education reform, same-sex marriage and the economy; however, the students managed to argue passionately about issues in which some had a personal stake without any hint of animus or sniping.

Instead of the schoolyard antics that has been the lot of those who are seeking the highest office in the land, it took students, most who have not quite reached voting age, to demonstrate how grown-ups should behave.

Granted the results of the mock election, which were skewed heavily in the Democrats favor, would not result in anyone being installed in office, and might allow for gentler angels to prevail, but it was refreshing to experience something as pure as what we imagine the founding fathers had envisioned.

Not all was sweetness and light, however, as a mock newscast, which preceded the debate, modeled itself after Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” – effectively mocking the mockers. “The Robert Report” hosted by Robert Garcia was marked by many comedic moments and high production values as it effectively mimicked the mocking tone of the original.

At first blush, the choice seemed to be at cross-purposes with all other aspects of the event, but it may well have served as a commentary on the changing nature of the media and the role it plays in politics – personality and punditry trumping plain old facts.

Regardless of its purposes, intended or not, the newscast was a real hit with the student audience.

Interspersed between the responses to questions were slick campaign ads, which were produced by each candidate and their campaign staffs, again reflecting a sad reality that money matters most off all.

Johnny Lau who has taught ten years at Alhambra High, and is currently the instructor of the AP Government course, offered another compelling reason for his adding to an already demanding schedule, “a way of inviting students, who will soon be old enough to vote, to engage in the process – whether as one seeking an elected office, campaigning on their behalf, or simply and profoundly exercising their right to vote.”

If the audience response was any gauge, which was attentive throughout the debate and thoughtful when polled after casting their ballot, Lau’s and his students’ efforts were well worth all the sleep deprivation they suffered.

By Dan Gaither