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WDIV LOCAL 4 partnered with the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) to host ‘Decision 2024: Your Vote’ Town Hall series at Oakland University.
PHOTO BY CARLEE MORGAN
Steve Hartman calls for kindness during election season
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
Meadow Brook Theatre was flooded with tears of joy on Oct. 29 as the kindness herald, Steve Hartman took the audience back in time to remind them that all Americans are good-hearted even in times of political division.
“They started this E-speaker series where they’re trying to bring in interesting folks, you know, for little lectures and they honored me with the opportunity to be the first speaker,” Hartman said. “Even though I’ve seen them hundreds of times, sometimes watching them is kind of a cathartic experience, to watch my stories with a group of people.”
A CBS correspondent since 1996, Hartman has captured kindness, empathy and the extraordinary like no one else. With a weekly feature segment, “On the Road,” and his family co-hosted “Kindness 101” series, Hartman connects a storytelling craft with the extraordinary of the common folk.
“What I like about my job is that I get to shine a spotlight on the way most people are, and the way most people are is kind and good and helping one another, and I think we need to see that on the news,” Hartman said.
After leaving Toledo, Hartman picked up on the work of CBS journalists who wrote feature stories of the average American.
“To find the extraordinary and the ordinary, to find those little slices of life that remind people the rest of the country isn’t nearly as bad as the first
part of the newscast looks like,” Hartman said.
Whether it was a light-hearted question of “Are All Babies Really Cute?” or a girl’s first encounter with “happy tears,” the audience knew the segments by heart, growing excited at a mere reference to their favorite clips.
“It’s important for Americans to hear other stories so they have different perspectives,” Hartman said. “Sometimes we get in our little silos and we don’t know how others live. And, you know, it’s good to see that, you know, even people who seem different are really the same”
Coupled with personal anecdotes like the time he received a call from the commander of the international space station or his children’s rise to fame on public playgrounds, Hartman had the audience swinging from laughter to tears.
“I’m often accused of being in cahoots with the Kleenex Corporation for making people cry,” Hartman said. “But that’s never my intention. I’m actually trying to make people happy, but sometimes those do meet in happy tears. Kind of the world’s greatest oxymoron.”
Tiffany Eckert, Gold Star mom and BGSU graduate, was a guest speaker at the event to attest to the power of kindness and selflessness.
“That was when, back in 2014, when fate brought Steve into our lives, I saw the return on all of my hard work,” Eckert said. “All of the nights where I would sit by myself, always smiling during the day, always genuinely optimistic, but so many nights when I would sit by myself wondering if I was doing the right thing.”
Inspiring attendees to pursue their passions no matter the challenges, Eckert and Hartman emphasized the importance of compromise and support as a national value.
“We are now one week away from the most divisive election in our lifetimes. Seems like nothing else matters. Thanksgiving dinners will never be the same,” Hartman said. “Once you walk out that door, there will be pressure to retreat back into it. Social media especially will try to sway you, but don’t bend, don’t listen to that silent call.”
“Even those people who will soon have the audacity to vote for a different president than you, that whole half of the country is good. Most Americans are good. Most Americans are heroes. I think they’re just waiting for their call — good luck finding yours.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS NEWS
OU Political Science faculty explain the importance of election day
MATILDE RABAJOLI Campus Reporter
The upcoming election has been a hot topic for the past three months. Between the various ads that pop up on social media, the constant campaign emails and the electoral texts that have been lighting up phones, it has been hard not to hear of it.
But why does it hold so much meaning? Why have the students at Oakland University been surrounded by ballot informers, Secretary of State representatives and so much more for the past couple of weeks?
“It’s a cliche, but this well and truly may be one of the most important elections in our lifetimes,” Associate Professor of Political Science Cody Eldredge said. “This isn’t about being Republican or Democrat for me. It’s about cherishing democracy and the institutions that sustain it.”
“I think that especially the youth. I think the youth need to decide what kind of system they want, and their votes right now contribute to answering that question,” Associate Professor of Political Science Laura Landolt said.
Landolt is a political science and international relations professor, and she emphasized the importance of environmental issues during and beyond the election.
“I think there’s a lot of hope that, you know, we can regain control over chemicals released into our environment. We can regain control over whether and how we can address climate change,” Landolt said. “All of these things are on the ballot, but none of that’s going to happen unless there’s grassroots activism and
I see that that’s happening.”
The Political Science program is one of the liberal arts from OU’s Department of Arts and Sciences. Its faculty is at the forefront of students’ political landscape understanding, providing fertile ground for questions, initiatives and engagement opportunities.
“That’s what college is all about. Educate yourself by reading up, and by talking with friends and classmates,” Eldredge said. “You can also reach out to professors and advisers — we love talking about this stuff. Vote your truth.”
“I think students need to know that we think that voting is important … Either way, at least you’ve done what you could do in the ballot box, and that’s an important feeling to have,” Landolt said. “I mean,
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT OU
this is your future, you’re going to live a lot longer than college professors, at least the ones of today, so make the best of your future, do everything you can to get the best future.”
Landolt highlighted the importance of students pushing for a specific cause through many channels to make their voices heard.
“Voting is probably the least impactful of all democratic practices, and to actually have an impact I tell all my students, ‘At some point or another, you have to get involved in an issue that you find important,’” Landolt said. “You can’t conquer every issue in the world, but you have to focus on one thing. Pick one issue [and] really get to know that.”
“That is the most impactful action you can take, and if you can’t participate directly in that lobbying, then support those organizations, write editorials in the newspaper,” Landolt said. “There’s so many voting, except it is the least impactful. I’m not saying don’t do it, you need to do that, but once Election Day is over, we need to do other things, and lobbying directly, lobbying your officials is the most impactful way and mobilizing other students around your interests.”
“As with many, I feel like civic engagement is more important than ever. But I’m also optimistic. I get to spend my days with Gen-Z folks who are informed, passionate and understand what’s at stake in directing their government toward better ends,” Eldredge said. “OU students seriously give me hope. It’s one of the best parts of my job. I love talking about politics with students because I’m convinced we can rise to the occasion despite other generations failing us.”
Tiring eagerness among College Democrats of OU
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
As early voting stations closed, news polls were published and the nation tuned in to the most decisive hours in the next four years, the atmosphere of Oakland University’s party chapters grew nuanced.
“Election week can’t go by fast enough,” Brendan DeVore, treasurer of the College Democrats of Oakland University (CDOU), said.
With OU’s College Republicans having a quieter campus presence during election season, CDOU shared their tiring eagerness for the presidential race as a campus chapter of a political party.
“People who aren’t even in political organizations right now are very fed up,” Rose Smith, CDOU president, said. “But just the people in politics, we’re all tired — especially with me acting as the representative for OU — within college dems all across the state there’s a realm of pessimism.”
Lack of leadership engagement and an overt attitude of desperation for party volunteers adds to the exhaustion college chapters have developed, Smith explained.
“I will attribute a lot of that to the Democratic Party in and of itself,” Smith said. “Hearing a lot from the Democratic Party and being involved in it, there’s a certain aspect that the Democratic Party has noticed where they suck at maintaining a lead.”
“One thing I constantly notice in the emails is there’s always like a sense of urgency like, ‘You need to donate
because we’re behind, we’re behind, we’re behind,’ when I personally don’t think we’re behind,” Jack Waters, CDOU secretary, said. “I still think that I have a sense of optimism.”
“What they’ll do is they’ll perform an internal poll that says they’re doing badly to get more volunteers and get more people involved. But it’s almost entirely faux,” Waters said.
While the University of Michigan and Michigan State University — which is one of the largest chapters in the country, Smith explained — have enough traction to travel up north to volunteer as canvassers, OU is “kind of like a community college, in way that almost all the students are working, full-time and part-
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
time jobs, and like everyone’s super busy. We’re not a very good volunteer school.”
The CDOU E-Board mentioned that the lack of the chapter’s off-campus participation has been criticized by other partisans. Nonetheless, OU members maintain optimism through their continual support of their party, whether it is through funding or campus engagement.
“I will say the election season, of course, does help our membership, it helps our events. It helps everything,” Smith said. “We just have more people, because more people are engaged, more people are involved. So, we are certainly expecting a dip off after the election.”
Debate watch parties have been bipartisan efforts between CDOU and College Republicans as well as other political campus organizations to engage with each other’s membership and maintain communication between the party chapters.
“The primary goal of the chapter that I have created is to build a community,” Smith said. “Of course, we have leftists and liberal ideologies around that community, but it’s to build a community to have friends.”
The last event of the election season is the election night watch party — with no scheduled ending time — where campus political organizations will be watching televised election results at the habitat on Nov. 5.
“When the time comes to promote the candidates and to get the vote out for the candidates, we want to support we will,” Smith said. “Until the next midterms, until the 2025 off-year elections we’re just kind of hanging out.”
Jana Helou: Thoughts from a first-time voter
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
Freshman Jana Helou, an 18-year-old biology major at Oakland University from Macomb, Michigan, is eagerly preparing to cast her first vote in the upcoming presidential election.
This significant milestone is one she has anticipated since her high school days. Growing up in a politically active family, Jana was encouraged to engage with civic issues early on, participating in rallies and community meetings that shaped her understanding of the importance of voting.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment since I learned about voting,” Helou said. “It feels empowering to finally have a say in the issues that affect my life and the community around me. Every vote matters, and every young voice deserves to be heard. It’s vital for our democracy that young people understand the significance of their participation. We can shape the future together if we all take the initiative to get involved and make our opinions count.”
As she researches candidates and ballot measures, Helou is also focused on inspiring her peers to get involved. She recognizes that many students may not realize how easy it is to register or that they can vote by absentee ballot if they’re away from home.
“It’s crucial for us, as young voters, to make our voices heard,” Helou said. “I want to make sure my friends understand how important it is to participate in the electoral process. We can shape the future we want to see. We have a unique perspective as the younger generation.”
Helou’s commitment to informed voting and civic engagement reflects a broader trend among young voters this election season. A recent poll indicated that youth engagement is at an all-time high, with
many first-time voters eager to impact the direction of key issues like climate change, social justice and education reform.
“I think we have a unique perspective as the younger generation,” Helou said. “We’re inheriting the world, and the decisions made today will affect us for years to come. The decisions made today will have a lasting impact on our lives and the lives of those who come after us. It’s our responsibility to engage and influence those decisions.”
With her passion and drive, Helou embodies the spirit of a new generation ready to take on the challenges ahead. As she prepares to step into the voting booth for the first time, she stands as a reminder that every vote matters and every young voice deserves to be heard.
“I hope to see more young people getting involved, not just in voting but in all aspects of civic life,” Helou said. “We have the power to create the change we want to see in our communities and our country, but that requires active participation. It starts with being informed and making our voices heard.”
To look into your area’s candidates for the 2024 election, visit michigan.gov and learn about how to vote in Michigan, how to vote on election day and more.
College Democrats of OU: Learning about your county’s candidate s
NOAH FRANCIS Features Editor
With the 2024 election under way, it is important to know the candidates on the ballot, from the presidential candidates to county officials. The College Democrats of OU (CDOU) has been holding a ballot workshop event where students not only get to learn the names on their ballot, but research who they are and what they stand for.
Rose Smith, the president of CDOU, set up the event to focus on the nonpartisan section of the ballot.
“We’ll cover everything, especially if people want to know more about the county officials and stuff like that, but generally, our main goal is to educate people on the judges and all that running in the race,” Smith said. “This is simply because I know in 2022, the drop off between the partisan and nonpartisan section on the ballot was 1 million voters, which is an insane margin. So overall, we want to help people accomplish their goals and vote for their beliefs when they vote, no matter what their beliefs are.”
Smith explains why it is important to look into who you are voting for.
“Everyone knows who’s running for president and mostly everyone knows who’s running for Senate, but even when you start to get down to the federal congressional races, some people just don’t know who these people are,” Smith said. “These local
politicians, from the county executive and in our state legislature, are who impact our lives the most. It’s most important that everyone knows who they are and knows what they do and knows who they’re voting for in that regard.”
For Smith, it is important to research the nonpartisan races specifically, since they still have party affiliations, even though they can’t say it.
“All those nonpartisan races, they have party affiliations, they just can’t say it,” Smith said. “You can still look at their endorsements, see who has
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
endorsed them, and what parties they’re affiliated with. Always keep in mind the status of your local elections, whether or not it’s competitive and whether or not you can do more in whatever race you’re in.”
A great tool CDOU has been using to help students during the ballot workshops, is the Michigan Secretary of State website.
“We generally use the Michigan Secretary of State website, because the Michigan Secretary of State website is amazing,” Smith said. “We get people’s names, their zip code and the year they were born, and we’re able to search up their general election ballot.”
For those wanting to look into candidates on their own, researching politicians is an easy task as there are several online tools that can help.
“As I said, the Michigan Secretary of State website is phenomenal for finding out who your candidates are,” Smith said. “There’s also vote411. org which is a very good site that has pretty detailed biographies about each candidate for the most part, no matter how local they are and, of course, just searching up names you see on the preview ballot, and just looking at endorsements.”
To access the Michigan Secretary of State website and search the candidates for your area, visit michigan.gov. For more on the College Democrats at OU, visit their GrizzOrgs page.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANA HELOU
Turning Point USA at OU: A rising leader with a passion for political engagement
ALINA ZETOUNA Contributor
As election season approaches, one Oakland University student is working to ignite impactful conversations about the significance of advocating for ourselves during the election, as it is our American citizen right.
Malachi Cattanach, a junior at Oakland University majoring in Finance on a Pre-Law track, is the president of Oakland University’s Chapter of Turning Point USA.
Malachi’s journey with Turning Point began during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a student at Oakland Community College, where he found himself frustrated with how the crisis was being handled. His beliefs aligned with what Turning Point stood for; an organization that champions freedom, limited government and individual rights.
As Turning Point’s website states, “TPUSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to identify, educate, train and organize students to promote freedom.”
These passions encouraged Malachi to spread the importance of our rights as citizens, and he founded Oakland Community College’s chapter of Turning Point USA.
“I liked what Turning Point stood for, and I want every American to know the importance of our rights.” Malachi recalls.
As president of OU’s chapter, Malachi continues to take on responsibilities as the main point of contact for
the organization. His tasks include arranging meetings, working closely with field representatives of Turning Point USA and putting on events for participants of this organization. He also takes the lead in planning events such as political watch parties, mock debates and potential speakers.
One event Malachi was looking forward to was The You’re Being Brainwashed Tour with Vivek Ramaswamy. The former Republican presidential candidate appeared on campus Wednesday, Oct. 23, as part of a series of national-wide appearances.
Malachi is also planning to attend the AmericaFest in Phoenix later this year. This large conference hosted by Turning Point USA draws notable conservative speakers such as Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump Jr.
Turning Point USA at OU is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization, meaning they do not endorse any specific candidates or political parties. The club’s parent chapter, however, advocates for conservative politics.
“Turning Point wants your voice to be heard, regardless of your views. What is important is to voice your opinion, as it is your American right,” Malachi said.
David Dulio, Distinguished Professor of the Political Science Department and Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University and advisor of Turning Point USA at OU, said he’s a staunch supporter of viewpoint diversity on campus.
“If a group of students want to form a student organization and reap the benefits of doing so, they should be able to,” Dulio said.
Despite the challenges often associated with getting young voters engaged, Malachi remains optimistic. He
recognizes that oftentimes, voters have the mentality that their vote doesn’t matter.
“Every vote counts. It is important to voice your opinion through voting, whether that’s left, right, independent or other,” Malachi said.
Malachi comes from a conservative-leaning family, however, he stresses that his personal research during his teenage years is what allowed him to understand why he believes what he stands for. He also finds that it is important to be able to research, understand and defend his beliefs.
Malachi’s approach to handling political differences is a reflection of his personal philosophy. He believes in having calm, civil discussions with those who hold opposing views rather than engaging in heated arguments.
“You kill them with kindness,” he said with a smile. “And you win them over with love rather than hammering that they’re wrong, because that divides us and we are all equal humans.”
His involvement in this year’s election has taught him that we are a very divided society, and if we all worked together, we have the potential to create a brighter future.
He likes a quote from Abraham Lincoln, “A house divided can’t stand.”
Looking ahead, Malachi is hopeful about the future of political discourse, and has goals to attend law school after graduation in 2026. He stands by his beliefs to get involved as American citizens, as he can potentially see himself running for office one day.
His message to young individuals is simple; “Get involved, regardless of your political views and make your voice heard, especially if you are young.”
The quest for Election Day’s unconventional prize: The ‘I Voted’ werewolf sticker
Election season is known for the unexpected, and Michigan’s inaugural “I Voted” sticker contest is no exception.
One winning design that has garnered national attention features a howling werewolf shredding its shirt, paired with the iconic “I Voted” tagline in red, white and blue.
This bold, unconventional sticker was designed by Jane Hynous, a middle school student from Grosse Pointe. In September, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced it as one of the top designs, selected alongside eight other winners through a public vote.
Friday the 13th turned from scary to nostalgic at Oakland University with Y2K Night. Live music, retro outfits and vintage cameras took over Elliott Tower to commemorate the late 90s and early 2000s.
Since its announcement, the sticker has been circulating on social media and even making television appearances. I knew I had to get one as soon as possible, so when early voting began, I made it my mission to track it down.
Hosted by the campus radio station, WXOU, the party included a DJ set by KARMEL, a Y2K outfit contest, cup pong tables and a live music set by The Rodri-bros.
Some students shared their thoughts on the most iconic Y2K aspects such as fashion, music and visual atmosphere.
To my surprise, getting the sticker was easier than expected, especially given the buzz online. Election clerks had the option to order the special edition stickers, and a quick call confirmed the nearby early voting site in Auburn Hills had them on hand.
“[The] first thing that came to mind was neon colors and ‘The Sweet Escape,’” Sydney Dochscader, a freshman, said. “That’s why I brought a Y2K tie with tech stuff I got from my dad.”
At the front of the early voting line, the poll workers shared that I wasn’t the only one on the hunt. Clerks in other parts of the state reported receiving calls from voters eager to confirm their polling location had the special edition stickers available.
“It would definitely have to be the patterns, only patterns like cheetah print scream 2000s” Hayle Monjaras, a junior, said. “Prints were such a staple to the Y2K fashion. Also, music, what better way to remember the nostalgia of the 2000s than with the music?”
Turning my attention to the table where all the winning designs were neatly arranged, I scanned each one until I spotted it: The coveted werewolf sticker.
At first glance, it’s striking, memorable and even a bit absurd — a refreshing way to celebrate casting your vote.
While bedazzled belts, cheetah prints, baggy pants and analog cameras were mentioned as staples of the Y2K experience, there was an almost unanimous consensus that the emblem of the late 90s and early 2000s was none other than Britney Spears.
After securing my own keepsake from such a polarizing election year, I couldn’t help but take a closer look at some of the other standout designs voters could choose.
Story by Reagan Reetz
“One of the most iconic things about the Y2K fashion is the creativity,” Monjaras said. “There [were] so many accessories, so many fun colors and patterns that were played with, people expressed themselves in so many different ways.”
Megan Judy
Photo courtesy of Reagan Reetz
After attendees grabbed refreshments, the Rodri-bros started their live music set, led in vocals by Andrew Deacon, WXOU
event coordinator. A cover of Bowling for Soup’s “1985” was the opening song for the band that also played retro hits like “All Star” and “Stacy’s Mom.” “Beverly Hills” by Weezer was also revamped to have the crowd instead chant “Rochester Hills” during the iconic chorus.
“My favorite song ever is ‘Stacy’s Mom,’ it was probably the song that inspired this whole set, if not this whole event,” Deacon said. “Something I never liked or thought I’d really get into before was ‘Beverly Hills’ — I wasn’t a big Weezer guy until today.” Students also reflected on the fascination with retro experiences.
reasons why we like the 2000s,” Monjaras said. “It was a time when everything was in its prime of commencement. Classics like Lady Gaga, the reminiscence of our childhood, it all seemed simpler and more colorful.”
“When we were growing up, it was what we were seeing as kids,” Deacon said. “The Wii’s and DS’s — all the game consoles back then — the technology, the music, that’s what was on the radio and TV when we were growing up.”
“It’s the same way our parents were obsessed with the 70s and the 80s, it’s the love for what was around when we were younger,” Deacon said.
As the party concluded, students also expressed an interest in seeing similar thematic events centered around the 80s and the 90s on OU’s campus in the future.
For information about upcoming events, visit WXOU’s Instagram and GrizzOrgs.
Design by
“Ope, I Voted” Sticker
The “OPE, I VOTED” sticker is a delightful nod to the Midwestern regional culture that uses the expression “ope.” Its design is clean and bold, incorporating the classic American flag colors in an abstract, non-traditional way.
The phrasing itself is fun and relatable, adding warmth and personality to the voting process. Ultimately, this sticker is a playful celebration of the Midwestern voter.
Sticker
Fish voting Sticker Cat voting Sticker “I voted
This voting sticker with a detailed fish illustration adds a touch of whimsy to Election Day, with soft colors that make it feel straight out of a storybook. The “I Voted” slogan is seamlessly incorporated into the pattern on the fish’s body.
A brilliant nod to Michigan’s Great Lakes heritage, this design is both charming and serves as a tribute to one of the state’s favorite pastimes — fishing.
yay”
Heartwarming and playful, the “I voted yay” sticker takes a more straightforward approach. Featuring childlike handwriting, the design — with its endearing backwards vowel — serves as a reminder of the children that voters are representing when they cast their ballots. It’s an approachable design that provides a pleasant contrast to other more formal stickers.
In this design, catch an adorable cat displaying with pride that they’ve voted.
Lighthearted but so incredibly fun, the bold colors of this sticker enhance the patriotic spirit without overpowering the rest of the illustration. The charming details and playful theme make it a great choice for voters looking to celebrate their vote with a touch of humor.
The creativity showcased in these designs highlighted the individuality that voters could express when celebrating Election Day. Whether you chose the bold and unconventional werewolf like me or opted for another option, there really was no wrong choice when it came to this year’s “I Voted” stickers.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of State/Madelyn VerVaecke
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of State/Kelsey Winiarski
Photo Courtesy of Michigan Department of State/Gabby Warner
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of State/Breanna Tanner
The soundtrack to the 2024 election: Everything from ‘Brat’ to Bruce Springsteen
CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Editor
Music and politics have surprisingly gone hand in hand for quite some time now. From war songs to campaign jingles, there has been a song for almost every political cause and occasion. The 2024 presidential election is no different.
From everything from Charli XCX’s “Brat” to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” here’s the soundtrack to the 2024 election.
Foo Fighters — “My Hero”
Originally released in 1997 as a tribute to the late Kurt Cobain, “My Hero,” along with other rock songs, have been at the forefront of Former President Donald Trump’s 2020 and 2024 campaign music.
Recently, it has come to the attention of the band that their hit song has been used in Trump’s campaign — Foo Fighters claims it was without proper permission. Trump’s campaign has disputed this, claiming they went through the proper channels. The band said that they will donate all the royalties for the Trump campaign’s use of “My Hero” to the Harris campaign.
Despite all of the drama surrounding the legality of its use, “My Hero” has invariably cemented itself as an anthem for the 2024 Trump campaign. It was originally used to welcome Robert F. Kennedy Jr. onto the stage in Phoenix, Ariz. after he formally endorsed the former president’s campaign.
Charli XCX — “Brat”
“Brat Summer” has been a remarkable cultural trend that has shook the culture. Even with all of the support surrounding Charli XCX’s sixth full length record, the TikTok dances, the 2000s-era grunge fashion revival and her massive “Sweat” tour, Charli ended up throwing herself into the political firestorm with a simple tweet: “kamala IS brat.”
This, along with many other pop-superstar endorsements such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, could impact the youth vote in particular. Hell, Charli XCX is not even an American citizen but could heavily drive information about the democratic nominee — leading to voters accessing resources, getting involved, etc.
Harris has embraced Charli’s endorsement, branding a lot of merchandise and campaign materials after “Brat.”
Beyoncé — “Freedom”
Originally released in 2016 off Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” album, “Freedom” (feat. Kendrick Lamar) is a song that the Harris campaign frequently uses to welcome Harris onto the stage. “Freedom” is a pop rap/gospel song that triumphantly lifts up its listeners.
“Freedom, freedom, I can’t move/Freedom, cut me loose, yeah/Freedom, freedom, where are you?/’Cause I need freedom, too,” Beyoncé sings on the track.
Beyoncé has recently endorsed Harris and appeared at her rally in Houston, both performing and giving a rousing speech.
Bruce Springsteen — “Born in the U.S.A.” Lyrics in songs are sometimes drastically misinterpreted, even though they may seem straightforward at first. This is no different with political songs. Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 song, “Born in the U.S.A.” seems like a patriotic song at first, perfect for a campaign centering around national identity — like Trump’s campaign is. However, let’s see what the lyrics say:
“Come back home to the refinery/Hirin’ man says, ‘Son, if it was up to me’/Went down to see my V.A. man/He said, ‘Son, don’t you understand,’ now.”
Springsteen is directly critical of the government and society’s treatment of veterans at large; in previous verses Springsteen also is critical of the draft process and the prospect of killing people in an unpopular foreign war — a.k.a. Vietnam.
Trump’s campaign frequently uses this song as a patriotic, uplifting anthem, but in reality, it is a song critical of the country’s imperialist practices.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY MUSIC
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITANNICA
PHOTO COURTESY OF PEOPLE MAGAZINE/HARLEY WEIR
PHOTO
Leading the change for youth voter engagement with Un-PAC OU
JULIA MEGGE Contributor
As the November presidential election approaches, Oakland University sophomore Morgan Cirenese is on the front lines, working hard to encourage her peers to rally to the polls.
As the president of the organization Un-PAC OU, she spends much of her time engaging with students across campus about the power of their voices and the importance of being registered to vote.
Un-PAC OU (Un-Political Action Committee of Oakland University) is a non-partisan organization whose purpose is to increase youth political engagement that will guarantee the political power of our generation and pave the way for record-breaking youth voter turnout.
Un-PAC is a national organization with multiple colleges across the country that work together and communicate to reach representation as a nation with 184 organizers hired and 38 campus chapters.
Cirenese is on a mission to ensure Oakland students understand the impact their voices can truly have on our country.
“Our main goal is to get younger generations more involved so that we can create a democracy that can work for us,” Cirenese said. “If the younger generation gets more involved and starts voting more and registering to vote, more politicians will be forced to look at the younger generation, and they’ll be forced to be like, okay, what do students need?”
Cirenese is currently a sophomore studying political science at Oakland. She had always been involved in political engagement, even before taking on Un-PAC OU’s presidential role. Before becoming involved on campus, she worked at the polls for the state election in Michigan. In high school, she did an internship with the Haley Stevens for Congress Campaign, where she initiated similar work to what she does now on campus.
Cirenese initially joined the organization as a volunteer, going around campus with other org members and asking students to sign petitions. After her first year, the previous president of the organization stepped down, offering the position to Cirenese. Un-PAC’s focus on empowering young voters aligned perfectly with her passion for reform and community involvement.
“One reason I decided to do it is because last year was our first year, so we had a bit of a slow start,” she said. “We ended up recruiting more people this year than last year and I knew, I’m like, okay, we can make
it big. This could actually really help and affect the outcome of the election.”
During her time so far with this powerful organization of young leaders, Cirenese has already helped come up with many ways to make a difference for our campus community.
She organizes canvassing in the Oakland Center, where she and some of her peers will go around and canvas, which is when the organization asks students on campus to sign petitions related to the well-being of students.
One of the biggest petitions Un-PAC OU has been working on is to get school canceled on election day, so students can have the opportunity to take time out of their busy schedules to vote.
“It’s one of the most successful petitions that we have done. Usually, if we are in the Oakland Center, and we start off by asking students if they want school canceled on election day, a lot of heads will turn, and students seem to pay attention,” Cirenese said.
“We have a decent number of signatures. Students are on board, teachers are on board, it is just the administration we are pushing at this point. We are currently working hard to get in touch with administration to get this petition signed so students can get out and vote.”
Cirenese will also attend classes across campus to present what she calls a “rap,” where she gives a presentation on the organization’s efforts and why it is important to become involved in what’s going on in our nation’s politics. She considers this an effective way to raise awareness on a broad scale.
Sarah Ibrahim, a student at Oakland and canvassing leader from Un-PAC OU, said that Cirenese’s efforts to create youth political reforms and raise voter awareness are making a big difference around campus in the short amount of time since she has taken on the role of president.
“The president’s planning and efforts contributed by igniting people to vote throughout this election season,” Ibrahim said. “This election is absolutely an important one and the president has made that clear. She has not only contributed to increasing voter registrations but also has made more people aware of the different ways people can make a difference in their communities.”
In her short time as a member of this club, Ibrahim believes that Cirenese has truly made a difference on how students think regarding getting involved and going out to vote to make a difference for our peers.
Cirenese understands that talking about politics has this stigma around it. It’s considered “intimidating”
or “controversial” to talk about. There is also this hanging feeling that the younger generation’s opinions on our country are not considered important. Slowly but surely, she is working hard to break that stigma around campus.
“The biggest thing I learned from being a part of this organization is how big of an influence our generation really has,” she said.
“I think a lot of times we can be overlooked by older generations, or people assume that we don’t know what we are talking about yet and aren’t as involved, and I think that this really discourages a lot of younger kids. They’re going to think that no one is going to care what they have to say when that is simply not the truth.”
She encourages her fellow students not to be afraid to make their voices loud and heard.
“The more we make our presence known and heard, the more they are going to look at us and take care of our specific needs, such as student debt, tuition, universities mandated to be transparent on how they’re spending our money, stuff like that,” Cirenese said.
In the coming days as the election cycle begins to intensify, Cirenese will continue to serve as a critical link between Oakland students and the political landscape to help make a difference for our country. In her eyes, the 2024 election is more than just a vote, it’s a chance for her generation to reshape their future.
“Everybody is interested in something. Everyone has their own history; everyone has their own struggles. Look at something you are passionate about, whether that be health care, debt, affording a house, or anything like that. It all ties back into politics,” Cirenese said. “You can contribute to the deciding factor of your needs; all it takes is your vote.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF UN-PAC OU
PHOTO COURTESY OF UN-PAC OU
PHOTO COURTESY OF UN-PAC OU
WDIV Local 4 hosts ‘Decision 2024: Your Vote’ Town Hall at OU
MALLORY WALIGORA
Political Editor
On the afternoon of Oct. 29, WDIV Local 4 partnered with the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) to host a discussion. This event was part of the ‘Decision 2024: Your Vote’ Town Hall series in which OU hosts events to inform the public and students about the upcoming election. At the time of the event, the election was just a week away. The conversation covered topics such as the state of the presidential race, along with Michigan’s House and Senate race as a vital swing state.
The event was facilitated by TV anchor Jason Colthorp from WDIV. Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Director of CCE David Dulio and Associate Professor of Political Science Nicole Asmussen Matthew joined as faculty experts to share their thoughts on a wide range of topics.
The conversation began by discussing the fast pace of the election season and how quickly things have changed.
“So much has happened. That’s the understatement of the century. We think about what has transpired and it’s unlike any other election cycle that I can remember … We think about the fact that the sitting president quit the race just a couple of months before the convention … A great way to describe this cycle is historic chaos,” Dulio said.
“Last January, we were thinking ‘Is Trump going to be on trial?’… Now, we aren’t even thinking
‘All
about that anymore. Other things have come up,” Matthew said.
Panelists also talked about the candidates’ changing messages and tones throughout the election season.
“For moments, we saw a very disciplined Trump in the first debate with Biden. He stayed on message. His speech at the convention was very on-message. But now, we’re seeing a lot more kind of typical Trump veering off into tirades,” Matthew said.
“I think you’re so right about the first debate
performance was maybe best ever. It was really good because he was disciplined and restrained and that has gone away. On the Harris side … she wants it both ways. She wants at the same time to be the last person in the room with the president on important decisions, but then have no accountability for the record of the Biden Administration,” Dulio explained. “That’s an awkward position to be in and I think it’s been a difficult one.”
Panelists also talked about polling given the closeness of the election. How reliable is polling and can it be trusted to predict an election?
“The election is going to be close. That’s what all the polls say, and if you check the news tomorrow it’s going to say the same thing … In one sense, they aren’t that informative because they aren’t telling us who’s going to win, but they are telling us that your vote’s going to matter a lot compared to elections that are more lopsided,” Matthew said.
“Don’t overreact to a particular one that gets reported in the press. Look for trends, look for shifts as they happen at large,” Dulio said.
On Nov. 12, CCE will host an election debrief session called ‘Now What?” Dulio and Matthew, along with Christy McDonald, will discuss the outcome of the presidential race and the implications for 2025. The conversation will also cover congressional election outcomes and what the balance of power between the parties will mean for future policy-making implications. Follow CCE on Instagram @cce_ou.
Eyes on the Great Lakes States:’ Karl Rove and Donna Brazile visit OU
MALLORY WALIGORA
Political Editor
On Oct. 30, Donna Brazile and Karl Rove visited the Oakland Center, with just under a week until election day at the time. The event titled ‘All Eyes on the Great Lakes State: Michigan’s Importance in the 2024 Campaign’ focused on the swing state of Michigan and both speakers’ past experiences campaigning in the state. This event was run through the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) at Oakland University and was moderated by Roop Raj.
Panelists discussed the challenges faced by Kamala Harris’s campaign, particularly the short window to define her as a candidate.
“We had to get posters. She had to select the vice president. That took a week. And then, of course, we just started doing focus groups. We didn’t finish doing focus groups on key constituencies within the Democratic party until almost three weeks ago,” Brazile explained.
Additionally, speakers talked about the tension between her past legacy working under the Biden Administration as vice president and her struggle to differentiate herself from the administration.
“Well, we heard from her, but citizens rarely pay attention to the vice president … Vice presidents are not the policymakers ... That coalition [BidenHarris] is not big enough for us to win in 2024, and so she’s in the process of defining herself, expanding our coalition,” Brazile said.
Raj posed the question of Harris’s media
avoidance, and how only recently has she done interviews. Has her campaign been effective in getting her message across given this avoidance?
“I think this thing about her not doing enough interviews is inside baseball [smaller, minutiae details] from the perspective of the ordinary voter. They’ve seen her a lot, but they could have seen her more,” Rove said. “I mean, could you always try and do more? Yeah.”
Panelists also discussed Harris’s recent media appearance on The View. During her appearance, hosts asked Harris what she would have done differently than Biden. “There is not a thing that comes to mind,” Harris said.
“She was ill-prepared for The View, and she set a tone there that was problematic for her. They knew that question was coming. She should’ve had an answer other than ‘I can’t think of anything just off the top of my head.’ There’s a way around this that could have been acceptable, but you’ve got to have an answer,” Rove said.
Raj also asked about the recent assassination attempt on Trump and if it had an impact on Trump’s speech and his emotional message to voters at the Republican National Convention. Has Trump made a major mistake by not maintaining that original message at the convention?
“I’ve been to every convention since 1972, and I have never seen anything that came close to the first 18 minutes of that speech … People are not talking to their neighbor; they’re not looking at their phone. They are focused on him, and he is talking about what it was like to come this close to dying,” Rove said.
Rove also shared his opinion on the current state of the race.“[Trump] holds the lead on the issue of who can better handle inflation, economy and the border, the three biggest issues by far, and yet because he hasn’t been able to close that empathetic gap with the American people and say, ‘You can stand me for the next four years,’ we got a horse race,” Rove said.
The next event run by CCE will be on Nov. 12 in a Town Hall called ‘24 Election Debrief: Now What?’ where panelists will discuss the outcome of the election and future policy implications. Follow CCE on Instagram @cce_ou
PHOTO BY CARLEE MORGAN
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
‘Coach Walz’ tackles political masculinity
MORGAN WARNEKE Content Editor
Tim Walz’s past as a high school football assistant coach has become a key strategy in the Harris Walz campaign, branding him as “Coach Walz:” a humble, Midwestern dad who loves football and will lead us to victory.
While Trump has attempted to attract young male voters by appearing on popular “bro” podcasts, Walz is aiming to redefine what masculinity means within the Democratic Party.
The Harris campaign has capitalized on this narrative. “Under those Friday night lights, Coach Walz motivated his players to believe they could achieve anything,” Harris said when introducing Walz at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Harris’s reference to 2004’s “Friday Night Lights,” where (fictional) Coach Gary Gaines — and his TV-equivalent Eric Taylor — serves as a perfect representation of how America views football coaches: empathetic, humane and driven. Football is embedded in American culture, and the Democratic Party is playing off of the associations that come with being a small-town coach.
Following the branding of “Coach Walz,” the Harris campaign released camo hats that read “Harris Walz” in bright orange. This is undoubtedly
an attempt to resemble something that would be at a hunting store or a Bass Pro Shops — notoriously conservative spaces. Walz also revealed his hotdish recipe; a popular homecooked meal in the Midwest.
This tactic could be seen as a response to the concern among many male voters that Walz is not fit to represent masculinity in the White House. Republicans have referred to Walz as “Tampon Tim” following a law he signed last year that requires public schools to provide its students with free menstrual products. As a result of this, his authority, toughness and capability have been questioned.
This comes as no surprise, since he is serving as a vice president to what would be the first female president.
According to The Washington Post, undecided male voters under 50 make up a critical 11% of the electorate vote. Walz and Trump are competing for what has been deemed the “bro vote,” with both sides trying to capture this important demographic.
In his approach, Walz is combining both his personal and professional background. He emphasizes his time spent in male-dominated spaces like football fields, veterans’ groups and hunting grounds while also showing up at Pride parades, abortion clinics and women’s rights rallies.
Walz’s resume also includes serving as a member of the Army National Guard for 12 years, a public school teacher for 20 years and
as a member of the House of Representatives for Minnesota for 12 years.
This mix of traditional and progressive masculinity reflects an evolving Democratic strategy aimed at making male voters feel represented while also demonstrating values of empathy and inclusivity.
The term “Coach Walz” has spread like wildfire, quickly taking the internet by storm and sparking discussions about whether the combination of relatability and resilience will sway voters in his favor. While some are convinced that Walz is a humble Midwestern dad, others are calling his bluff.
The effectiveness of this approach, whether measured by the outcome of the election or future candidates, will shed light on the power of masculinity in American politics.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES
COMIC BY DYLAN HECKER
Do athletes have a moral responsibility to use their platforms to advocate for social change?
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
As election season draws to a close, nearly everybody seems to be sharing their political views. Pop stars endorse this candidate, actors support that candidate and athletes support another.
While it may feel like everybody is starting to use their platform to influence social change, it isn’t exactly new. If you go back eight years to 2016, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick demonstrated against police brutality and racial injustice in the United States by kneeling during the national anthem. Players across the entire league joined him as the season went on.
After the 2016 season, when Kaepernick was a free agent, he went unsigned and continued to be left off rosters even though his talent seemed to be that of a starting-caliber quarterback. Kaepernick continued to be involved in activism following his exit from the NFL.
Or we can look back to 2018 when Laura Ingraham, a journalist and show host on Fox News, said Lebron James should “Shut up and dribble” after he made comments on then President Donald Trump and growing up black in America.
We can even go back to 1967, when Muhammad Ali, nicknamed “The Greatest,” refused to fight in the Vietnam War. Ali was strongly against fighting for a country that was racist and prejudiced against him.
Evidently, athletes speaking out for social justice and their beliefs is nothing new. But in an age where the internet and the media reign supreme over honest, factual information, there is some danger in putting too much stock into what our favorite athletes have to say.
I reached out to multiple Oakland athletes to find out where they stood on the issue.
“No, they don’t have a responsibility because some people don’t want their opinions to overrule who they truly are,” men’s basketball player Isaiah Jones said. “Not everything has to be said or shown to make a difference; silence can always make a difference.”
It’s a very interesting notion; I further asked him how silence can be beneficial, and he explained that people would seek out information and form their own opinions instead of following others.
Women’s golfer Grace Boczar was one of the only athletes firmly against famous athletes speaking out.
“Professional athletes should stick to what their job is. They should not be commenting on matters they aren’t experts in,” Boczar said. “Although their intentions may be good, their lack of expertise in such a complex subject could lead to oversimplified or misguided opinions. People should focus more on actionable policies over celebrity endorsements.”
Echoing a cautious stance, Bhavneet Sohal of the men’s golf team added his take.
“If they wish to, that is up to them completely,” Sohal said. “But with that being said, just because you are an outstanding player doesn’t make you the moral compass of society or a beacon of light for others to follow.”
Other players, like Karel Subagyo of the men’s swim team, pointed out the damage that could be done to a team when some players speak out and others don’t.
“If a certain athlete publicly advocates for a politician who has controversial policies, even if other members of their team don’t agree with him, people may think that the entire team also aligns with his views,” Subagyo said.
Not only is it damaging to the team, but if an athlete decides to remain silent on a topic or not publicly express their beliefs, they can be branded
as holding a certain belief just because they don’t speak out.
Buru Naivalarua of the men’s basketball team agreed with a lot of what Subagyo had to say.
“If you haven’t said anything, then it shouldn’t mean anything because some people prefer to keep their opinions private, and that’s okay, too,” Naivalarua said.
Naivalarua generally supported athletes’ freedom to speak out, but like other OU athletes, he acknowledged the dangers of this freedom.
“They should also feel just as free to say nothing if they choose to,” Naivalarua said. “Deciding not to publicly speak out on something doesn’t mean you do or don’t have an opinion.”
Wesley Hollowell of men’s track and cross country was all for athletes speaking out but again acknowledged the danger.
“The more influential someone becomes; the more people instantly trust them without fact-checking. People begin to blindly follow these influencers without taking a broad range of information,” Hollowell said.
The issue is further complicated by endorsement deals and NIL deals for college athletes.
“No one has told me to be careful, but I’m sure some [sponsors] would have their certain thoughts if I were to [voice my] support,” Jones said. “Business owners and their egos can go a long way with stuff like that because they can end the deal depending on the contract anytime.”
Tyler Linkhart of the volleyball team offered a powerful thought that served as a good ending point for the discussion.
“The beauty of sports is that, more often than not, they bring people together,” Linkhart said. “Bringing politics into this already competitive environment can easily become a place of judgment and close-mindedness.”
Many Oakland athletes supported famous athletes speaking out and advocating for social change, but they didn’t believe that they held any obligation to do so. Many also acknowledged the dangers of putting too much importance on celebrities’ opinions, saying that people should do their own research instead of following what their favorite athlete thinks.
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY BLACKET
Prominent athletes aligning with candidates in the 2024 presidential race
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
At the end of a Sunday Night Football game on Oct. 27, San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Nick Bosa crashed a live shot of teammates George Kittle, Brock Purdy and Isaac Guerendo on NBC while sporting a “Make America Great Again” cap.
The moment sparked reactions from viewers across the country, reigniting conversations about the intersection of sports and politics.
However, Bosa isn’t the only athlete who has made his political views known this election season. Below is a list of other notable athletes who have expressed their political opinions before election day.
Harrison Butker | Kansas City Chiefs kicker
If Harrison Butker’s name seems familiar, it’s because Butker made headlines in May after giving a commencement speech to graduates at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Now that election season is in full swing, the three-time Super Bowl champion has not shied away from making his voice heard.
During the Kansas City Chiefs bye week during week six of the NFL season, Butker joined Republican Sen. Josh Hawley during a rally. During the rally, Butker joined Hawley on The Ingraham Angle, a conservative news and opinion-based talk show hosted by Laura Ingraham.
Butker didn’t necessarily endorse a specific presidential candidate on the show, but he alluded to
where his vote would go.
“I’m supporting the president that’s going to be the most pro-life president,” Butker told Ingraham.
With Butker by his side, Hawly reflected on what it means to have Butker’s endorsement.
“It’s such an honor to have Harrison’s endorsement. It has been incredible to be out with him on the trail,” Hawley told Ingraham. “This is a guy who’s not afraid to speak the truth, who’s not afraid to say that we have got to stand on the principles of this country was founded on.”
Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry is another athlete who has made his voice heard this election cycle.
Curry, a four-time NBA champion, formerly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the election the day after it was announced that President Joe Biden would drop out of the race.
“[Harris] represents the Bay Area and is a big support of us, and we’re gonna give that energy right back to her,” Curry told USA Today.
John Daly | Golfer
John Daly, who has won two major championships in golf, is another active athlete who has not sidestepped where his loyalties lie ahead of the election.
Daly supports former President Donald Trump — notably, his support for Trump dates back to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
“[I’ve] known him too long. I’ve seen what he does with kids, I know what he does with charities,” Daly told Kyle Porter of CBS Sports in 2016. “The thing I love about Donald, it’s time this country
is run by a businessman and not people with their hands out, and Donald doesn’t have his hands out.”
Since then, Daly’s support for Trump has continued. Recently, on Sept. 28, at the Georgia and Alabama game, Daly was photographed with Trump in a suite at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Athletes for Harris
Another thing of note is that Vice President Kamala Harris started a group called Athletes for Harris, hoping to recruit other athletes to support her campaign. Below is a list of the ten co-chairs that joined the initiative.
Ali Krieger, former member of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Ali Truwit, U.S. Paralympic swimmer
Billie Jean King, former tennis player
Candace Parker, three-time WNBA champion
Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs point guard
Dawn Staley, South Carolina women’s basketball head coach
Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks head coach
Magic Johnson, five-time NBA champion
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors head coach
Thomas Booker, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle
As the 2024 presidential race comes to a close, Americans will always be captivated by athletes’ involvement in the political landscape. With some of the largest platforms in the world, athletes have the power to shape political discourse for years to come.
As election season continues, candidates use football games to score votes
KURT SZYMANSKI
Sports Editor
Football’s role extends beyond the field this election season, as presidential candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump and others use football to connect with voters nationwide.
Football has been a powerful tool for political candidates in this election. Due to its mass appeal, cultural significance and the chance for candidates to engage with voters in battleground states, football has been an avenue for voter connections this season.
Starting with Harris, she has attended only one football game recently, on Oct. 19, between the Tennessee State Tigers and Harris’s alma mater, the Howard Bison. At the game, Harris was in charge of the coin toss.
In contrast, Trump has emerged as the most visible presidential candidate on the football circuit, attending more games than any of his competitors this election.
On back-to-back weekends, Trump was spotted at the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers game on Oct. 20 and the highly anticipated game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 28.
Most recently, Trump planned to attend the Ohio State and Pennsylvania State game on Saturday, Nov. 2, but ended up not showing up. With Pennsylvania being one of the key battleground states in this election, it’s not a surprise that Trump attempted to
double-dip in attending football games in the state.
Trump isn’t the only candidate capitalizing on football’s mass appeal. Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota and vice presidential candidate, has also embraced the sport.
Walz is no stranger to the football field and attended the Minnesota and Michigan game on Sept. 28. Also, Walz went to the football game between two Minnesota high schools, Mankato West and Mankato East. Walz formally coached the Mankato West football team for over a decade as a defensive coordinator.
In addition to Walz, Ohio Senator and vice president candidate JD Vance has also shown face at several football events leading up to election day.
While he was not physically at the game, Vance spent time with tailgaters outside of Lambeau Field ahead of the matchup between the Houston Texans and the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 20.
Furthermore, Vance attended the Appalachian State and East Carolina game on Sept. 14.
In addition to candidates attending football games, some interesting jabs have been made against candidates during multiple college football games.
Although neither of the candidates above attended the football game between the University of Michigan and the University of Texas on Saturday, Sept. 7, a political presence was felt in the form of a banner.
With 111,170 fans in attendance in Ann Arbor, a banner that read “JD Vance Ohio State + Project 2025” flew across the Big House. Notably, Vance is an Ohio State graduate who earned his bachelor’s
degree in political science and philosophy in 2009.
While many other banners have been flown during football games across campuses in America, one of note includes the banner flown at the Georgia and Alabama game. With Trump in attendance, a banner that read “Trump’s Punting on 2nd Debate” flew across Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Beyond the field, football also had its place in the digital world during this election, with candidates using video games as a platform to engage younger voters. On Sunday, Oct. 27, New York’s U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Walz played against each other in a Madden game.
Unfortunately for those tuned into the live stream, the Madden game itself was uneventful, at least from a gameplay standpoint.
While Walz and Ocasio-Cortez discussed Project 2025 and the current housing crisis in the United States, neither Walz, who chose to play as the Minnesota Vikings, nor Ocasio-Cortez, representing the Buffalo Bills, could find a way to put points on the board.
With the clock slowly ticking down in the second quarter, Ocasio-Cortez led the Bills inside the tenyard line. Unfortunately for Ocasio-Cortez, she did not know how to call a timeout, and the pair stopped playing at halftime, resulting in a final score of 0-0.
As political candidates continue to leverage football’s cultural significance, the sport has certainly been an interesting strategy for candidates in the 2024 election.