In this edition of Campus Pulse, students were asked to analyze the first series of debates between the Democratic and Republican White House hopefuls.

UT students were asked the following question around campus, and online from Oct. 3-5:

Having seen a debate between John McCain and Barack Obama and a debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, which party would do you believe won the first series of debates?

"Palin is amazing. She went into Oxford, with everyone expecting her to fail, but proved why her and McCain are going to win in '08."

--Meg S.

If either candidate could fulfill half of the promises they're making right now, America would be in great shape no matter who wins. Politics Editor Austin Baird

"Obama and Biden both showed how much better democrats are than republicans. Palin talks about 'reform in Washington' but the debates pointed out even more how Obama will change America."

--Tyler H.

"I'm a huge Obama supporter, but I definitely think McCain did a better job than Obama on the spot. I think Obama will do better in the next one though."

--Kelly E.

"Palin was just trying to prove she could handle her own, Biden wanted to prove why Palin was unqualified. I think both accomplished their goals, and the next two presidential debates will be far more telling than a VP debate."

--Hayley B.

"The debates don't make a big difference either way. Only stupid people don't know who they're going to support by now."

--Kortney N.

"They didn't answer the questions. I kept watching, thinking that one of them would man up and throw a serious opinion out there that we didn't already know, but neither of them did."

--Sam W.

My Take: Answer the Tough Questions

Both candidates managed to jump around tough questions in the first debate, instead focusing on partisan politics and trying to make their opponent look weak.

Both left much to be desired, and need to address a number of issues in a detailed fashion for Americans to make an educated decision when they vote next month.

With a faltering economy, steadily increasing energy concerns, questions of national security and countless other key issues facing America, now is not the time for partisanship.

It's easy to talk about 'reform' and 'change' but when you face reality, the odds of a massive and immediate revolution with the election of Obama or McCain seem slim.

If either candidate could fulfill half of the promises they're making right now, America would be in great shape no matter who wins.

Stretching the truth, and flat out lying at times, is nothing new to political campaigns. But at the end of the day, voters need to remember the past and look at politicians track records more seriously than the rhetoric being thrown around in a campaign season.