2008 Woodie Awards
Campus goes political
Students attend events, celebrity guests, Rock the Vote, encourage young voters to vote for change
Adam Tutor
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: News
As it became clear that the March 4 Texas primary and caucus would be critical for 2008 presidential candidates, San Antonio and Trinity University became hubs for political rallies and voter events.
"Young people are one of the largest groups of voters, and if we are active we could really make a difference," said Sophomore Michelle Haskin, a leader of the Trinity chapter of Students for Barack Obama.
Haskin said that she is an Obama supporter because she wants a leader who can unite our nation as one.
According to Haskin, "Obama brings people together."
Haskin said she is responsible for coordinating events on campus with the Obama campaign, as well as for publicizing and providing a good student turnout.
According to Haskin, the group held a rally March 1 led by actor Ben McKenzie of the hit drama "The OC" and actress Kerry Washington of the Oscar-winning "Ray," both supporters of Obama.
"I feel like students asked good questions, but I wish the same students would remain in the campaign after the stars leave," Haskin said. "People can't just think it; they have to act on it, and students have more power than they realize."
At last Saturday's discussion, Washington said that this primary acts as a chance to make a statement to the whole country.
"You have immense political power," Washington said.
According to Washington, she struggled with the decision of which candidate to support.
"I'm a feminist, so I felt pulled towards Clinton," Washington said. "But I'm also black, and so I feel pulled towards Obama and my African American culture."
Washington said she had to stop thinking about race and gender and ask the question "Who is the next best human being to lead our nation?" Since deciding Obama as her answer, she has been to nine states to rally for him.
"When I speak out, I'm speaking out as a citizen, not a celebrity," Washington said.
On Feb. 28, Rock the Vote street team members were on campus in an effort to increase youth voter turnout. According to April Borlinghaus, AT&T representative for Rock the Vote, the organization is an MTV-affiliated initiative and utilizes celebrities and community members to promote youth involvement in politics.
"Young people are one of the largest groups of voters, and if we are active we could really make a difference," said Sophomore Michelle Haskin, a leader of the Trinity chapter of Students for Barack Obama.
Haskin said that she is an Obama supporter because she wants a leader who can unite our nation as one.
According to Haskin, "Obama brings people together."
Haskin said she is responsible for coordinating events on campus with the Obama campaign, as well as for publicizing and providing a good student turnout.
According to Haskin, the group held a rally March 1 led by actor Ben McKenzie of the hit drama "The OC" and actress Kerry Washington of the Oscar-winning "Ray," both supporters of Obama.
"I feel like students asked good questions, but I wish the same students would remain in the campaign after the stars leave," Haskin said. "People can't just think it; they have to act on it, and students have more power than they realize."
At last Saturday's discussion, Washington said that this primary acts as a chance to make a statement to the whole country.
"You have immense political power," Washington said.
According to Washington, she struggled with the decision of which candidate to support.
"I'm a feminist, so I felt pulled towards Clinton," Washington said. "But I'm also black, and so I feel pulled towards Obama and my African American culture."
Washington said she had to stop thinking about race and gender and ask the question "Who is the next best human being to lead our nation?" Since deciding Obama as her answer, she has been to nine states to rally for him.
"When I speak out, I'm speaking out as a citizen, not a celebrity," Washington said.
On Feb. 28, Rock the Vote street team members were on campus in an effort to increase youth voter turnout. According to April Borlinghaus, AT&T representative for Rock the Vote, the organization is an MTV-affiliated initiative and utilizes celebrities and community members to promote youth involvement in politics.
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