Penn State College Democrats President Baybars Charkas and Penn State College Republicans President Ryan Klein debated on the upcoming 2024 presidential election and real-world political issues on Tuesday night in Freeman Auditorium inside the HUB. The event, hosted by the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), attracted dozens of students and community members and was moderated by a pre-selected panel of students.

The debate centered around three main, overarching topics: the economy, climate, and international affairs. Each club president took turns going back and forth, discussing what each topic meant to them and their respective political party.

Throughout the debate, both Charkas and Klein referenced specific acts and policies that their favored candidates have either already enacted or plan to enforce during their term, while also criticizing the opposing party’s efforts.

Charkas is a senior studying political science and French and serves as the chief executive officer of the College Democrats and as a liaison to other democratic organizations in the community. On top of being president, he is also on the Centre Country Democratic Committee Executive Board.

Klein, also a senior, studies political science and history through the Schreyer Honors College. As the president of College Republicans, he leads the organization’s political operations, fundraising efforts, public relations, and community service endeavors. Following his graduation, Klein intends to pursue opportunities on Capitol Hill and eventually attend law school.

The debate started at 6 p.m. with both parties given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their respective political parties for five minutes each. After winning the coin toss, Charkas started by addressing two dates that he claims are important to not only himself but the rest of society, too, before introducing his political stance and why he strongly believes in the Harris-Walz campaign.

Five minutes later, Klein took over by introducing himself, explaining how he grew up in a working-class family and that he was the first member of his family to pursue a college education. He then continued his opening statement by sharing his support and belief in former President Donald Trump’s agenda.

The debate began with the economy, an issue that has dominated the nation. Charkas, representing the Democratic party, argued for policies that prioritize economic fairness and social safety nets. He pointed out the importance of increasing the minimum wage and strengthening labor rights as vital measures to reduce economic inequality, emphasizing that working families deserve an economy that works for everyone, not just the top 1%.

In contrast, Klein framed his argument around the benefits of a free market approach. He argued that reducing taxes, particularly for businesses, would spur more job opportunities and foster innovation. Klein criticized Democratic proposals, suggesting they would lead to overregulation and outsourcing, impacting economic growth. He also pointed to Republican priorities of curbing inflation and reducing the national debt. Klein noted that Trump wants to cut taxes for the average American, not just for the upper class.

“Let’s look at what’s happening here in the United States,” Klein said. “There’s an outsourcing of jobs — it’s criminal. That’s contributing to a lot of the current inflationary issues — why rent is up 22%, why gasoline is up. It’s because people are leaving this country and taking their business elsewhere.”

The second question, which asked the pair to share their thoughts on student loan relief and college education, sparked two opposing viewpoints. Charkas shared that students should have the opportunity to education even if they can’t afford it, while Klein expressed that pursuing college and higher education is a choice, not a law.

“It is a moral outrage that there are people in this country who have to give into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt just to get a decent education,” Charkas said. “I say for shame — I think that’s shameful in our society.”

After the pair answered the two questions regarding the economy and inflation, the debate then shifted to climate change. Charkas delivered an argument in favor of immediate and comprehensive action to address the climate crisis, calling for a transition to renewable and clean energy sources like wind and solar and increased federal funding for green technologies.

He emphasized the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions to prevent catastrophic environmental consequences, highlighting that Kamala Harris is committed to rejoining international agreements and has already started leading the global fight against climate change while in office as vice president.

“The United States has produced more oil under Joe Biden’s administration than it has ever in its history,” Charkas said. “There’s a short-term solution and long-term solution… The answer to that I think is that we prioritize and put increasing levels of money in clean energy… Climate change is the greatest challenge of our century.”

Klein, on the other hand, argued that sweeping environmental regulations, like those proposed by Democrats, could harm key industries, particularly manufacturing and energy, while also impacting inflation and the overall economy. Klein advocated for an energy policy that includes a mix of fossil fuels and renewables, suggesting that the U.S. should focus on domestic energy production to maintain energy independence rather than outsourcing jobs and sources of energy.

“Fracking is the lifeblood of the Pennsylvania economy. It’s something that we need to unleash,” Klein said. “Over 72,000 Pennsylvanians are employed in the natural gas industry at large. This is energy that is clean and something we can work through.”

The final topic discussed international affairs and the country’s relationship with the broader world. Charkas advocated for diplomacy and collaboration, stressing that America’s strength comes from its alliances and participation in international institutions through imports and exports. He argued the U.S. should engage more deeply in multilateral efforts, proposing that Democratic leadership would rebuild strained relationships with NATO and other global partners.

“In the United States, for the past century, the policy has always been to lead by strength and to lead by force,” Charkas said. “I think that in the 21st century, we need to understand that we are one country in a community of nations and that we lead best when we lead with other countries.”

Klein, however, took the time to emphasize the need for a strong military presence and national security measures. He supported the Republican candidate’s focus on defending the U.S. against emerging threats from China and Russia, highlighting the importance of military funding, border security, and securing trade deals that benefit American workers.

Klein also noted the difference between Biden and Trump’s leadership, regarding international affairs and the recent attacks between foreign countries.

“Under Joe Biden’s watch, Russia attacked Ukraine and under his watch, Hamas attacked Israel,” Klein said. “Under President Trump, there were no new wars on foreign soils — that’s an undeniable fact.”

As the debate drew to a close, both presidents offered insights into their respective party’s presidential candidates and why they believed their choice would best serve the country. Charkas praised the Democratic nominee’s progressive platform, which he said would advance civil rights, tackle systemic inequality, and prioritize both healthcare and education reforms. He pointed to the candidate’s experience in governance and commitment to issues that resonate with young voters.

For his closing statement, Klein endorsed the Republican nominee’s track record on economic growth, national security, and traditional values. He highlighted Trump’s focus on lowering taxes and securing the border, expressing confidence that the Republican agenda aligns with the values of many Pennsylvanians.

The debate concluded at around 7:30 p.m.