Students voice opinions about Democratic candidates
By Megan Krause, Campus Life writer
Megan Helgeson, Assistant Campus Life Editor
March 3, 2008 | 2:58 p.m.
Young voters are often seen as an apathetic demographic, but trends are changing. Ohio University students have been speaking out about the 2008 presidential race.
A great number of college students vote Democrat. Issues such as the war in Iraq, health care, college affordability and the economy are important to this age group, according to the Young Democrats of America Web site. Speakeasy spoke with politically active students to get their opinions about Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
College voters support Obama and change
Whether as an advocate for change or as a young figure in the presidential race, Senator Barack Obama is a candidate with whom college voters can identify.
Students find Obama’s personality and character to be appealing. “The senator is inspirational,” said sophomore Tommy Greene, the Media Coordinator for OU Students for Barack Obama.
An article in the New York Times also notes Obama’s charm. According to the article, “Mr. Obama has brought a level of excitement and involvement to the campaign trail that few people involved in this contest have seen before.”
Persona is not the only influence on voters. Policies are also an important factor. “When you look at his policies, he’s not just for old Americans or young Americans, but for every American,” Greene said.
Obama’s opposition to the war and his universal health care plan are areas Greene mentions students are interested in as well. “He was against the war from the beginning, before it was politically convenient,” Greene said.
In a race where certain demographics would be thought to play an important role, Greene does not think it will make a difference. When asked if he thought African Americans would lean toward Obama as women would lean toward Clinton, Greene said, “I really don’t. This time around, people are very engaged in who will be able to get things done.”
However, according to the NY Times article, “Age, race and gender have become the dividing lines; nothing comes close to mattering as much.” The article labels the Obama party as made up of younger voters and blacks, two groups that have had a history of being less likely to vote.
Greene is staying positive, though. “He can bring Americans together and get things done,” Greene said. “It is not whether you are black or white, but who is best qualified.”
Students have shown their support for Obama by joining political groups on Facebook, volunteering with the campaign and attending rallies. Greene encourages everyone to continue his or her involvement in the election by voting. “It is important to get your voice heard, no matter who you vote for,” Greene said.
Visit BarackObama.com to learn more about Obama’s issues and find ways to show your support. Achieving the “Change We Can Believe In” is dependent on the voters.
Clinton’s youth supporters looking for more than women’s empowerment
Fellow Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is targeting women for the 2008 election. If trends continue, 32 million single women could vote in the election, according to a US News and World Report column by Bonnie Erbe, a writer who covers political issues.
According to the Young Democrats of America Web site, young women are inclined to vote Democrat. The question remains whether young women identify with Clinton because of her sex or because of her stand on the issues.
Freshman Andrea Stillwell supports Clinton for a variety of reasons. “I really like her policies of healthcare," she said. "I grew up with the Clintons.” Stillwell acknowledges that Clinton is a strong woman, but that is not why she is loyal. “Her policies are more important than the fact that she’s a woman,” she said.
Clinton’s political presence seems to have grown to outshine problems that the public has with her running for president. “Yeah, she’s a woman, but she’s still a politician,” sophomore Andrea Henderson said.
Others see Clinton’s candidacy as potential for a new point of view. “I think this year is the year of change. I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that she’s a woman," senior Sam Kolich said. Although the issues take top importance, having a woman president is a change that some people are not ready for, he explained.
Those who oppose Clinton may have an issue with her sex. “They try to use that as a tool against her," junior Emily Hanlon said.
Although issues come first, some Democratic voters are choosing between Obama and Clinton based on other factors. “A lot of their policies are the same," prospective OU student Anthony Wakin said. "I just like Barack better as a person."
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