Monday night’s GOP presidential candidate debate held in Arizona is being coined by some as “more of the same” with very little new information surfacing.

“I guess I was pretty disappointed. It was essentially just the campaign promises of the candidates,” said Steffen Schmidt, professor of political science. “They were very polite to each other, but it didn’t give most people any new information. This was more like a campaign speech for each one.”

Attacks were limited, but they were mostly directed at Texas Gov. George W. Bush, which Chairman of the ISU College Republicans Jason Darrah predicted.

“In the way of new material, I didn’t see anything” said Darrah, junior in political science. “I saw more of attacks on George W. Bush. More candidates were going after George Bush … as a way to knock him out of the front-runner position.”

Comments from Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch focused on Bush’s lack of experience. Hatch suggested that Bush would be more prepared after serving as vice president first.

“You should have eight years with me; boy, you’d make a heck of a president,” Hatch told Bush during the debate.

The format was slightly different than last Thursday’s 90-minute debate held in New Hampshire, which was controlled completely by moderators. This time candidates were given the opportunity to ask each other questions.

“I would like to see anything that encourages more spontaneity,” said political science professor Patrick James. “If it’s really programmed, their responses are rehearsed and coached.”

Schmidt liked the idea of the varied format, but he said the candidates did not take advantage of it.

“They missed the opportunity of using the format of asking each other questions,” he said. “If they are too polite to each other, you don’t see them operating under a lot of pressure. It should test their ability to defend themselves.”

Andy Tofilon, member of the ISU Democrats, said the format of Monday’s debate was more beneficial to viewers.

“Debates are very important to getting information,” Tofilon said. “I liked that format because it wasn’t just what the media thought people wanted to know.”

Loras Schulte, state campaign director for Gary Bauer, said he thought last Thursday’s debate in New Hampshire was more like six simultaneous press conferences with very little interaction.

“It’s not what I would have called a debate,” he said. “Last night could have been called a debate.”

Spouting similar complaints, Hatch suggested that all of the candidates participate in a GOP bus tour in Iowa and New Hampshire next January. He said this would be a welcomed alternative to debates which are “too structured, too scripted and too boring.” Hatch said the combined campaigning would give voters a better opportunity to get to know the candidates.

The candidates will share the stage Monday for a debate held in Des Moines.

“I’m hoping that next week’s debate will be a little sharper [and] they will test each other’s positions,” Schmidt said. “Right now, I think a lot of people are confused about what the difference is between each of the candidates.”