Cohen: Student involvement increases during 2008 election season
Exciting candidates and campus groups contribute to a strong political atmosphere
By Ben Cohen
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
It was 10:30 at night, in the middle of September. A large group of KU students were in front of a hotel in Kansas City. Most people had classes early the next morning for which to be up. The event that was scheduled to happen was being delayed. So why were we all there, waiting patiently? Because Barack Obama was coming, that is why. The young, eloquent senator from Illinois with aspirations for the Oval Office was on his way to meet us out by his hotel, after a long day of traveling and speaking to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who were having a convention in town that day. There was electricity in the air just from waiting for him, and when the senator arrived, it was like people had gathered to meet their favorite rock star, albeit without people throwing their underwear at him.
Something occurred to me that night, as I stood among the throng of Obama supporters. The people I met up with at that last-minute rally were not just interested in a political candidate, they were excited. A generation that seemed like it was doomed to choose between apathy and cynicism has chosen something else altogether: Passion.
On campus, more and more groups are springing up to promote one aspiring U.S. president or another. There are a few supporting Obama, one for Hillary Clinton has just started becoming active, and I envy anyone who can go a few hours on campus without spotting yet another flier or chalking for Ron Paul.
Ron Paul in particular seems to have captured the interest of many students. That obnoxious chalking of his face on Wescoe Beach didn’t come out of nowhere, after all. Now, I myself am not the biggest fan of Paul, but I do find it encouraging that so many people are so moved by their passion for the man that they are willing to put as much time and energy as they have into supporting him. It would be nice, though, if they would stop putting chalk on places where people usually sit. Generally, it doesn’t help a candidate’s chances if their advertisements end up smeared all over the bottom of someone’s jeans.
This recent surge in involvement is encouraging. After the 2004 election cycle, it seemed like the enthusiasm of students had been for nothing. Howard Dean, the Democrat who had based his campaign on the energy and support of young people, had been soundly defeated in the primaries by John Kerry. Many people attempted to transfer their enthusiasm to Kerry after Dean’s defeat, but it, in the end, rang hollow, as he was unsuccessful at inspiring them in the same way. When Kerry was defeated by George W. Bush, it appeared that what air was left in the sails of most active students had finally died down.
A funny thing has happened since then. More and more students have become supporters of the newest crop of candidates, and they have not been ignored. “The Daily Show” has become as standard a stop for politicians on the talk-show circuit as “Meet the Press.” CNN has utilized YouTube during debates. Soon enough, we may see MTV host a dance-off between the Republican candidates. By the way, if that last one actually happens, my money is on Mike Huckabee. He’s got some sweet moves.
Back here at KU, you can expect to see all the current groups, and probably some ones that will spring up in the next few weeks, pulling double-duty to help their preferred Future Savior of America do well in the primaries. Hopefully, all of the enthusiasm they have now will last longer than next November.
Cohen is a Topeka junior in journalism and English.
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