ISU students will have an opportunity watch the next battle of the Democrats vying for president Thursday night, rooting for their favorite candidates who will square off in a debate focused on economic issues.

This is the first debate to feature all ten Democratic presidential candidates with the announcement by Gen. Wesley Clark that he is running for the Democratic nomination for president.

Students can view the debate from 3 to 5 p.m. in room 1226-1227 of the Communications Building. The debate broadcast is open to students, faculty, staff and guests.

Viewers of the broadcast will hopefully include members of both political parties, said Peggy Talbert Baum, program assistant of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.

“We really encourage students to involve themselves in any activity to discuss these issues of importance,” Baum said. “We hope we can do this in a bipartisan way.”

Baum said the broadcast will appeal to anyone interested in the presidential race, regardless of their political preferences.

“We want people to take responsibility for their democracy, and this broadcast will be a benefit to Republican students because it will give them a broader understanding of the candidates’ positions on different issues,” Baum said.

The Democratic candidates’ debate will be broadcast live from Pace University in New York City and will focus on recent developments in the economy. The debate will be moderated by Brian Williams of NBC News and will also include candidates fielding questions by panelists from CNBC, including Ron Insana, and The Wall Street Journal.

Members of the ISU Democrats, along with members of student groups supporting individual presidential candidates will be in attendance.

“This will be a great opportunity to network with all sorts of other students and exchange ideas about their political views,” said Hannah Schoenthal-Muse, president of the ISU Democrats.