“When I woke up this morning, I felt like I had to pinch myself,” said political science professor John Geer. “Vanderbilt is ranked 13 after beating Auburn, a presidential debate is being hosted in my hometown, and now I’m joined by this wonderful panel of experts. It can only go downhill from here.”

On Tuesday morning, Geer attended the presidential election panel hosted by former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. and First Amendment Center founder John Seigenthaler. The panel included many of the leading experts in journalism and political science, including Mike Allen of Politico, Howard Fineman of Newsweek and NBC News, Anne Kornblut of The Washington Post, Joe Klein of Time, Mark Halperin of ABC News, John Harwood of NBC, and Chris Matthews of MSNBC.

The topic of the forum, hosted on the day of the much-anticipated Belmont presidential debate, addressed the current state of the election and what the candidates need to still do in the remainder of the campaign.

In analyzing Obama’s recent lead in the national polls, Allen said that “the Obama campaign has been having to shift from a identity campaign to one that’s focusing more on the issues.”

“Obama’s campaign represents a multiracial America,” said Klein. “The white working class is a thing of the past.” 

On being asked what the McCain campaign should be doing in the next four weeks, Allen said the “because the Republican brand has extra damage, he needs to return to the fundamentals of Republican economic philosophy and stay away from Bill Ayers.”

Ford closed by predicting that the “next four weeks will be a roller coaster ride,” one that will be titled “American Soldier” in the case of a McCain win and “Hope” in the case of Obama’s, according to Fineman.

The many students and professors attending the panel voiced their views of the campaign and the debate.

“McCain really needs to come with a focus on the issues and especially economics,” said senior Ashley Meadows. “People do want change, and he needs to make it more on a ‘change’ versus ‘change’ campaign.

“I do think it is pretty tough, but I don’t think it’s impossible for McCain,” said sophomore Nathan Yates. “He can definitely turn this around and pull it off, but it has to be soon. Four weeks is not very long.”