By Nick McClintock

NORMAL- In what many are calling the most divisive election in several generations, some students from Illinois State University are experiencing the Republican and Democratic National Conventions firsthand.

Six students went with ISU Professor of Politics and Government Tom McClure to Cleveland this past week for the RNC, and McClure says the group of students was just as diverse as the two candidates. “We had a wide variety of students, ranging from the President of the College Republicans, to a student that is a Democrat, working in Dick Durbin’s office.” McClure said. “We had one extreme to the other.”

McClure said his opinion of the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, was that Trump went out of his way to give a more toned down rhetoric. “He seemed somewhat muted based on what we have seen in the past.””He was like Trump without the calories, I’m calling him Trump Light”

Another Professor from ISU, Eric Rankin, will be taking students to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention. Rankin, along with McClue both say they are unsure of what Hilary Clinton needs to do, except for run a “normal” convention. Clinton is expected to announce her Vice Presidential Candidate later today.

LISTEN TO PROFESSOR TOM MCCLURE HERE

LISTEN TO PROFESSOR ERIC RANKIN HERE