A marginalized population
Student issues ignored in presidential campaigns, debates
Paul Landau
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: News
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"For once I wish they would talk about issues that affect college students," King said. "I watched the debate on TV last night and they never talked about things I was interested in hearing about like government funding for schools, alleviating the cost of college tuition, creating new jobs in the future, stuff that is relevant to your everyday student."
Fellow senior Anna Peterson, who attended the debate live, was also frustrated, "I was extremely disappointed, almost annoyed, that they talked about the same issues that they have established positions on when I was more interested in hearing about issues like whether states would finally get the special education funding they'd been promised."
The student vote may not be catered to by the political arena, but it could make the difference in the 2008 presidential election. George W. Bush defeated John Kerry in the popular vote by 3.1 million votes in 2004, while 9.86 million college students chose not to vote, according to the census.
Fellow senior Anna Peterson, who attended the debate live, was also frustrated, "I was extremely disappointed, almost annoyed, that they talked about the same issues that they have established positions on when I was more interested in hearing about issues like whether states would finally get the special education funding they'd been promised."
The student vote may not be catered to by the political arena, but it could make the difference in the 2008 presidential election. George W. Bush defeated John Kerry in the popular vote by 3.1 million votes in 2004, while 9.86 million college students chose not to vote, according to the census.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Mike Gauthier
posted 9/11/07 @ 10:27 AM EST
I'm amazed at the limited scope of this article. The debate was held for the TV audience. The politicians didn't come here to discuss student issues, and to expect otherwise demonstrates overwhelming self-involvement and/or lack of contact with reality - both pretty good reasons for politicians to put their energy and money in more fertile soil. (Continued…)
Marie
posted 9/12/07 @ 5:30 AM EST
Ditto Mike. Why don't students "long to hear" about some of the issues that WERE discussed? Could it be because many of us (and I know there are lots of exceptions) get more passionate about Britney performing at the VMA's than we do about politics? I've met enough UNH students who don't know which political party W. (Continued…)
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