Students voice opinions on presidential picks
Mark Scialla
Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: Campus
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Meanwhile, the College Democrats and College Republicans are putting their best efforts into disseminating candidate information to the University of Rhode Island community.
According to URI College Democrats Chairman, Ryan Drugan, 21, of Narragansett, the College Democrats and College Republicans have already held two voter registration drives and plan on holding two more in October.
"It's to get students registered," Drugan said. "If you are not registered, we will get you registered."
Monday, the organization will be in Barlow Hall motivating students to vote while distributing information about their candidate.
The College Republicans have also been busy preparing for the main event. Chairman of the College Republicans, Jonathan Hansen, 20, of Connecticut, says that he and his organizers have been working closely with local Republican candidates and Rhode Island Students for John McCain in efforts to spread information about the contender.
"I don't think that there is any question that he is the best candidate for our party right now," Hansen said.
It's clear the campus political groups know what their focus is, but many URI students are still unsure.
Twenty-one-year-old civil engineering major, Robert Soscia, said that his decision is not yet made, but he is leaning toward voting for Obama.
"He is a really fresh face in politics, I feel, and might not be as corrupt as the older politicians," Soscia said.
For this young engineer, the United States' infrastructure is an important issue that does not get enough attention. Soscia plans to learn more information about the two nominees before casting his vote.
Nick Vaudrain, 23, computer science, also said that his mind is not yet made up either.
"It's a hard toss up between the two," Vaudrain said.
He thinks that the economy is the most important issue right now.
Whichever candidate has the best plan to stabilize the market will be the determining factor in getting his vote. He has Obama in mind as a perspective candidate because he is not sure about McCain's pick for vice president.
" [Alaskan Gov. Sarah] Palin really turns me off," Vaudrain said. "She kind of rubs me the wrong way. I think it was a ploy to attract female voters."
Despite some of the indecision around campus, two friends from Massachusetts have their minds set on McCain. Marissa Mariotti, 19, and Jessica Archino, 18, said that the Republican Party is the party of their parents, and that's the party they will stick with.
"I like him, I just wish he was not anti-abortion," Mariotti said.
She still plans on digging for more information regarding both candidates before she casts her first vote in November.
For her, the ongoing war tops the list of important issues.
"I don't want anymore war," she said. Archino plans on voting for the Grand Old Party's nominee and is already a registered Republican voter.
McCain was not Hansen's first choice, but he soon grew to like the candidate upon learning more about him. Hansen reconsidered McCain once he learned of his national security ideas and his record of bi-partisan cooperation.
"I believe Sen. McCain is sincere in everything that he does," Hansen said.
Hansen thinks that college students will benefit from McCain's national security propositions.
Hansen said that McCain made a good decision in his selection of Palin because, "she is the maverick card that corresponds with McCain. She wants the truth like McCain does." He said he firmly believes that McCain is ready to adequately handle all the issues that might come his way if he is elected.
"He puts party interests at the back-burner for what's best for the country," Hansen said.
Hansen expressed concern regarding Obama's affiliation with Rev. Wright and Father Flager as well as his lack of experience. He thinks Sen. Joseph should be running for President with Obama sitting shotgun.
"He has not shown me proper judgment to be the next commander-in-chief," Hansen said. "Judgment is my main issue with him right now."
Despite his feelings about Obama's issues, Hansen said the senator is "great American and he stands for a lot of good things."
Drugan of the College Democrats is optimistic about Obama's bid for the White House. "It's great that we have someone who is youthful," Drugan said. "A new face for Washington. A new face for the country." Drugan said that it was Obama's inspiring rhetoric that moved him to support the young politician. He thinks most college students relate to Obama's youth and uniqueness.
Drugan thinks that Obama will address the concerns of college students sufficiently. According to Drugan, the country's youth is becoming more interested in politics because of Sept. 11 and the unpopular wars in the Middle East. He thinks that more people want to get involved and do whatever they can.
