Upcoming elections promote ne w political

It was a biting cold New Hampshire evening

And 40LBC students set outto canvass Democratic communities in hopes of Republican votes

With maps,flyersandclipboards in hand,they went inpairs, knockingon doors and ringing bells, optimistic about thenight ahead

"Hello, I'm avolunteer with the Republican Party to elect Mel Thompson forgovernor, and "Thompson? You've gotta be sick!" Slam

It was the first of many more slammed doors The night had just begun.

That group of students who spent the weekend in New Hampshire found door-to-door campaigning a learning experience in politicalactivity.

The October 1980 pre-electiontrip, sponsored by Young Americans for

Sen. Jesse Helms presents his conservative views on abortion atthe March forLife rally. LBC's YAF chapter took agroup tothe Washington D.C rally.

LBC's YAF Chapter sponsoreda trip to New Hampshire in October to campaign for Gov. Mel Thompson. Although Thompson lost, the group learned much aboutpolitics during the weekend.

Waving placards and slogans is somewhat reminicient of thepolitical involvement ofthe '60s. Here though, it is touplift the political structure, rather than tearing itdown.

Freedom,was tohelp re-electRepublican Gov Mel Thompson against his Democratic opponent, Hugh Gallen Their strategy was canvassing communities with literature and information on a personal basis the weekend before the election. Although Thompson lost toGallen, thetrip was not a loss Students came back to school with abetterunderstanding ofpolitics and aninsight into "grass roots"campaigning

"Going door-to-door made me aware ofhow uninvolved peopleare," said Eddie Beard, an LBC freshman

"I was surprised—people were more politically involved than I thought," said Julie Tinman, apolitical science major.

"I enjoyed it Itgot me more into politics and I'ddo itagain," said LBC freshman Carol Swanson.

Those 40students were representativeofwhat political science professor Stephen Witham called the"new political awareness" among LBC students

"There isa greater involvement of students in politics today than there was five years ago," Witham said "Political activity isapproaching the level ofa secular school."

With the influence of YAF, Moral Majority and thepolitical science department, along with questions and issues addressed from the pulpit, students have become more aware of political responsibility and activity.

"Students aremore conscious ofthe need to vote and understand issues and amendments," said Van Dalton, a political science major and the president of LBC's YAF chapter."Ifeel the majority of the students at Liberty will sincerely fight for a cause they believe in."

Those 40 students who spent that cold New Hampshire weekend knocking on doors found that campaigning not only takes hard work, but a sense of humor

"Hello, I'm avolunteer with the Republican Party and " "Itsnone of your business whoI'm voting for." Slam.

It had been a long night.