Toward the end of the debate, Ramaswamy spurred a verbal altercation when he asked an audience member’s written question about whether the Democrats thought the 57,000 civilian casualties in Iraq were “acceptable.” The Republicans cried foul and insisted the question should have been directed at them. After a brief shouting match, both sides managed to restore order in time for closing statements.

“John Kerry has an established record of fiscal discipline; he has an established record of foreign policy experience,” said Thomas M. McSorley ’06, legislative director for the Democrats.

Downer used the Republicans’ final remarks to criticize their opponents. “What we’re dealing with are a group of people who disagree about what one man thinks,” he said. Because Democrats dislike Bush, they rally around Kerry, he said, not because of any fervor for the Democratic nominee.

Speaking to The Crimson afterwards, Ramaswamy said the debate was designed to avoid showing preference for one party over another, giving equal time to each side.

“It was a splendid opportunity for both sides to debate, although it became a little aggressive at the end,” Dunay told the Crimson. “The debate didn’t descend into a wrestling match, but we came close.”