Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) chances at winning the presidency in 2008 may seem slim, but if the election were up to Georgetown University’s College Republicans, he’d be the Oval Office’s next inhabitant.

The group hosted a debate in the Intercultural Center on Wednesday in which five of its members spoke as five of the Republican candidates – former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, McCain, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.). At the conclusion of the debate, a straw poll was held, and McCain won.

J.D. Allman (COL ’09), vice-chairman of GUCR, moderated the debate.

Although this debate focused mostly on the candidates’ positions on topics such as torture, prayer in schools, monetary policy and U.S. foreign policy in Iraq, Iran and Pakistan, the participants also managed to add a little levity to the debate.

For instance, several of the students mocked Paul’s libertarian policies for being antiquated. Jeff Long (COL ’11), who represented Thompson, said, “Well, no offense Congressman, but you should consider [former President] William cKinley as your running mate.”

Collan Rosier (COL ’11), who played McCain, made a similar comment when he reminded Scott Gray (COL ’11), who represented Paul, that “we do have electricity now.”

Gray himself mocked Paul when he said, “And if you would honestly vote for me in the primaries [or] in November, you do need some help.”

Paul was not the only subject of mockery, as Gray at one point said, “I would begin by reminding Senator Thompson that this is not another episode of `Law and Order.'”

When Ryan Barker (SFS ’08), Romney’s representative, was questioned for his inconsistency, he paraphrased a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson by saying, “Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”

The participants were all asked at the end of the debate whether or not they, in fact, supported the candidate whom they were representing. All of the participants – except for Gray – said that they were.