Personal
Politics
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How Marquette students will be affected in very real ways by this landmark presidential election by Sara J. Martinez photos by Jackie Poeschl
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or most undergraduate students at Marquette, this will be the first presidential election in which we are able to vote. Even so, this election will be much more than a milestone in our own lives as we grow and develop. More importantly, it will dramatically change how the United States will continue to grow and develop in history. With the possibility of a black president or a female vice president, the American people have elected to break boundaries. “As historic as it is, what’s going to matter when the next president takes the oath of office is what direction that president is going to take this country in,” said Stephanie Trifone, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences. “As exciting as it is, ultimately my concern is not so much the history of it all, but it’s where we are going to be going over the next four years.”
“Many Marquette students seem to be very con- the economic policies of the next four years will cerned about the economy, especially because of not only shape the immediate future of the nation, its recent struggles,” said Matt Dambach, a senior but rather have global impact. in the College of Arts & Sciences. “In a few short years, we will be hitting the job Dambach, chair of Students for McCain at Mar- force, where the candidates’ policies will come into quette, said he believes this is inarguably an im- play,” she said. “The economy, and most imporportant issue, since even college students are a part tantly, the world, is at stake with our decision.” of the global economy and students will be moving Wilson, who is into the labor force in the next also on the exfew years. “The economy, and most ecutive board importantly, the world, of Students for Other students agree. is at stake with our an Environdecision.” mentally Ac“Students are going to graduate tive Campus, and need to get a job, get a place maintains that to live, and will need to start paying taxes on all of these things,” said Nicholas the environment must not be overlooked when Glaser, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences. it comes to making a decision on who to vote for. Noting how as the generation that will be living Justin Phillips, a senior in the College of Commu- in this world experiencing changes induced from nication, said he wants a president who will cut global warming, Wilson said students need to taxes and provide a strong economy, creating jobs choose a candidate who makes the environment a top priority. and lowering gas prices.
Where the country will be headed after our next president takes office is difficult to distinguish. On one hand, there is a revolutionary young man who campaigns on “change” and mobilizing the youth vote. On the other, there is a man who has witnessed revolution and has the experience and “As a student that will be graduating in just a few knowledge necessary to be a good president. months, I will need a job, a place to live, a car,” he said. “The worst thing would be entering that Regardless of who wins, every issue on which these situation with high taxes, (high) gas prices and a candidates base their campaigns will directly affect tough job economy on top of having to pay student college students as they enter the real world over loans.” the course of the next four years. According to Phillips, financial concerns are the basis of issues that attract the attention of college students, and money problems tend to grab stuMoney Talks With student loan payback looming around the dents’ attention as a voter base. corner and job prospects no longer limitless, the economic outlook of the future will directly affect Beth Wilson, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, suggested that with the decision on Nov. 4, young people.
“We need a shift in consciousness about the way we think about the environment,” she said. “This upcoming election will hopefully bring greener policies to the forefront of Congress and awaken a world that has been walking in sleep for too long.” Victor Soto, SEAC president and a junior in the College of Engineering, said student involvement in environmental issues has assisted in bringing national attention to the problem.
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Women and Family
their stance on (the decision),” Boles said.
With 55.6 percent of Marquette’s student population composed of women, it seems natural that On his Web site, under “Values,” McCain clearly students would want to focus on women’s issues. states his belief that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. Fagnan said this is troubling because this Professor of political science Janet Boles said that issue hasn’t been at the forefront of campaign disyoung women tend to be some of the most pro- cussion, and she feels McCain has been afraid to discuss the issue for fear of losing women voters. women’s rights groups in America.
Many people would like to start families but do not feel they are able to without a union, whether it is civil or marital, Hayes said. On McCain’s Web site, he states his belief that same-sex marriage should be an issue decided upon on a state-by-state basis, while noting that he believes in the union of one man and one woman. In 2006, both Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and McCain voted against the federal marriage amendment. While Obama has stated that he supports civil unions, Hayes pointed out that a civil union is not a marriage, and he said he feels Obama is too vague on this issue.
Nevertheless, feminism isn’t quite as prevalent on campus as some hope, according to Ali Fagnan, co-chair of Marquette’s feminist student organization, Empowerment.
The most worrisome part, she said, is that overturning the decision might have other consequences regarding choices affecting women’s health, such as use of birth control or optional hysterectomies.
Fagnan, a senior in the College of Education, said she wishes candidates would explicitly acknowledge women’s concerns relating to domestic violence and abuse, women’s health care and the way
“I worry that overturning Roe v. Wade is going to have farther reaching implications than just abortion alone as far as choices women have in health “I feel as though many people, especially in the care and choices women make about their bodies,” LGBT community, blindly follow Obama, expecting him to spearhead all of the issues surrounding the LGBT community, which is not necessarily going to happen,” Hayes said.
What Next? Students agreed that an investment in the future begins with an investment in the now. While students may not yet understand the gravity of their choices, Trifone acknowledged that soon everyone will transition into the real world and recognize how their decisions today will affect their lives tomorrow.
women are treated in the military.
Fagnan said.
“I want them to tell me that they understand that Family structure is another issue that many Marwhile women have come a long way, the fight is not quette students hope to see addressed. over and we still have a long way to go,” she said. Devin Hayes, a senior in the College of Arts & SciBoles said that the victory of Sen. John McCain, R- ences, is the president of Marquette’s Gay/Straight Ariz., in this election would raise concerns among Alliance. women regarding the possibility of putting Roe v. Wade as a legal option at stake. Hayes said that when speaking of the lesbian/gay/ bisexual/transgender community, one of the bigOne of the most controversial decisions in Su- gest issues revolves around the idea of family. preme Court history, Roe v. Wade granted women the right to choose and maintain control over their “This is typically where marriage rights are located own bodies. as well as issues involving adoption,” he said. “The right to marry is a very important issue to the “McCain has said that he believes Roe v. Wade LGBT community and that also has an influence should be overturned, and presumably his court on the ability to adopt.” appointments would be screened according to
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As well as serving as co-chair for Students for Barack Obama, Trifone is the communications director for the Les Aspin Center Alumni Council, a non-partisan student group which is composed of alumni from the Les Aspin Center program in Washington, D.C. “It is really going to affect our lives, as much as we might sometimes be a little bit insulated from it on campus,” she said. Trifone said the Les Aspin experience is very focused on public service, incorporating and examining the full potential of public policy. Students on the alumni council come back to Marquette to continue the mission of what they learned. “This is really an opportunity to have four more years of the same thing we’ve been experiencing for the last eight years or to really try something new and to have a president who understands the issues and needs to challenge us,” she said. “We really have an opportunity to elect someone who the world respects; we need to be thinking ahead to our future.”
Durity said that while the Black Student Council is pleased to recognize the historical and cultural significance of Obama’s candidacy, the organization remains non-partisan and this year is focus“That might be something that would finally come “College students who haven’t voted before are less ing mostly on increasing political awareness and likely to vote at all,” activism and getting as many students as possible to fruition, giving a much according to John registered to vote. greater option for national McAdams, associservice,” Boles said. ate professor of po- Trifone said that there are huge efforts across the “I think young Americans country to make sure that students are registered litical science. Trifone said she agrees. are seeing that they are in and ready to vote on Nov. 4. She said the Les Aspin fact a part of the process Since this will be Center Alumni Council is also making a consider“If (Obama) wins this, I and a pretty important the first presiden- able effort to register more voters and increase the think you’re going to see a one, too.” tial election in size of the student electorate. president who really engagwhich a majority es the nation, and our age of undergraduates “I think we are a key constituency, and I think group in particular, in a call have the opportu- we’re ready to have our voices heard,” she said. “In for service,” she said. nity to vote, they are less likely to realize the im- the past we’ve not always turned out in the numportance of voter registration or to take the time to bers some of us have hoped for, to see from our peers, but I think this is an election in which we’re vote on location on Nov. 4, he said. Generation: Engage really going to make a difference.” Marquette certainly seems to be making an effort Declare Yourself. Rock the Vote. Choose or Lose. All of these are familiar titles, Web sites or market- to acknowledge the importance of election years, Durity noted that should Obama win the election, ing campaigns that cater to young men and wom- though, with many classes introducing political it would send the message that the youth vote does en in urging them to register to vote and to educate debate and election themes into coursework and count. non-political student organizations pushing for themselves before doing so. “(His) campaign has hinged upon the ability to student voter registration. mobilize the youth vote and to get people involved Politics is trying to engage young Americans, and it’s clear that media marketing has recognized the Melissa Durity, president of the Black Student who aren’t normal participants in the process,” she Internet as the easiest and most effective way to Council and a senior in the College of Health said. “I think young Americans are seeing that they reach out to youth. These sites make it effortless Sciences, thinks that many students are apathetic are in fact a part of the process and a pretty important one, too.” for the frequent surfer, providing outlets to register about the political process. to vote online and detailing campaign issues in a straightforward, user-friendly format. Who wants “They don’t realize how much it directly affects While Obama may be exciting young voters, Hayes to leave their dorm room to register at city hall, them,” she said. “This is why we’re pushing so hard said he believes young people’s enthusiasm for for students to get out and vote, regardless of which Obama seems more like the “trendy” thing to do. anyway? According to the respective organization chairs, candidate they support.” Boles said Obama, who has already shown his abil- Apparently, if the student electorate wants to make ity to rally young people, will put forth his enthusi- a difference, it needs to mobilize and prepare for the fight. asm for national service should he be elected.
Gay/Straight Alliance
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Marquette’s chapter of Students for Obama had 50 people at its first meeting, while Students for McCain has 40 to 50 active members. Neither candidate seems to have a stronger actively political and promotional following at Marquette, but not all supporters are engaged in the organizations’ sponsored activities.
Students for an Environmentally Active Campus
“I do believe there is a stigma attached to John McCain and the Republican Party around campus,” Hayes said. “It’s a strange feeling not being a part of the Obama fan club, especially when most of the people around you are a part of the fan club and expect you to be, as well.” Equally, it appears that students are enthusiastic about whichever candidate they have decided to support, and agree that the important trend in facilitating political support is increasing youth voter turnout. 18 to cast their vote in an online poll, and the site UR Votes Count said it aims to provide teens an provides information on all four candidates with opportunity to speak in one voice, with the poGlaser, who is president of Marquette’s chapter of an age-appropriate direction. tential to influence this year’s election and make Young Americans for Liberty, noted that he thinks a critical impact in the some students might follow the “popular” candi- Popular Disney star 2012 election, when “We are a key date without really understanding that person’s Selena Gomez, at 16 most of today’s teens policies. But, he adds, “Whether it be for Obama or years old, is the nawill be eligible to vote. constituency, and I think McCain, these students seem to truly be passionate tional spokeswoman we’re ready to have our about their candidate.” for UR Votes Count, While college students voices heard.” telling her peers that and young adults are they are the “next genthose who will ultimateeration” of voters. She ly be experiencing and Coming Soon promoted and kicked off the organization’s nation- managing whatever the next U.S. president brings College students and young adults are not the only al mall tour this summer to engage teens in stating to the table, it is the youth of America who will encounter the lasting effects of today’s choices. ones who are showing their passion and recogniz- their opinions regarding the election. ing their chance to make a difference. National organizations are noticing that teenagers are starting Gomez is quoted on the UR Votes Count Web site Soon, it will be their choice. The next generation to care about the issues as well. Several institutions saying, “Being a teen myself, I think it’s really im- of voters is just as important as this generation of are working together to create efforts that recog- portant we are educated on the issues that affect us voters, and how the next generation approaches nize the possibility of achieving a trend of youth all so when we’re eligible, we’re fully prepared to the 2012 or 2016 election depends on how young take on one of our greatest privileges and respon- adults and college students approach election ’08. voter impact. sibilities — voting.” UrVotesCount.com offers a forum for kids under
Now, more than ever before, elections have become a fashion trend. Support for a candidate is easily spotted by buttons and bumper stickers, and several high-profile designers have named their alliances by creating T-shirt designs emblazoned with the faces of favored candidates: designer Marc Jacobs’ Hillary Clinton shirt was popular when the senator ran for re-election in 2004, and the design was revived during Clinton’s run in the primaries earlier this year.
with Becky Simo rebecca.simo@marquette.edu
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friend of mine went on a date recently. It’s a really cute story, actually. He sat next to her in chemistry class one day, and, well, you know what they say about chemistry. She was wearing a campaign T-shirt, he had the corresponding button pinned to the strap of his messenger bag, and the sparks just flew.
As for my friend and her new guy? It didn’t last very long. It turns out he only had the button on his bag to pick up girls, a tactic which backfired spectacularly. So, whether you’re sporting shirts urging us to “Rock the Vote,” pinning on buttons featuring Sen. McCain’s face or donning any number of other stylish election-themed outfits, make sure you’re doing so for the right reasons. There are plenty of reasons to support either candidate. Because the shirt with his face on it is the cutest or brings out your eyes is not a valid reason.