Students & The 2008 Elections

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen Jan 9, 2008

As the primary season hits full swing in the United States, something exciting and unusual is happening. The votes of college students are being taken seriously, especially by the Democratic candidates.

That's something we just don't see enough of in this country. There's a vicious cycle going on. College students voter turnout is low, and candidates don't pay much attention to them and their issues-- like rising tuition costs, student loans, and the quality of college education It's hard to say which comes first, but it's certainly a cycle that most certainly is detrimental to young people n the United States. It's quite the opposite with senior citizens. Seniors vote in large numbers, and issues such as Social Security and Medicare are always at the forefront of the election debates.

Largely, this unusual fight for student votes has been fueled by Senator Barack Obama, who won in Iowa in part because of his ability to win the votes of young people. Obama's emphasis on change is getting noticed by Generation Y college students, many of whom have grown up jaded by politics that include an unpopular war and the Monica Lewinsky scandal. And now that Obama's got the young vote, Hillary Clinton is fighting for these votes as well. In her New Hampshire primary victory speech, Clinton positioned herself in front of a rallying audience that consisted largely of young people. She spoke out against "predatory student loan companies" and applauded students for voting their "hearts and their minds" (a not-so-subtle jab at Obama).

Wow, do I ever hope this continues. Students, whatever your political interests, get involved in this election and make sure these candidates don't forget you.