Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Pa. primary Tuesday
By Katharine Lackey
Daily Collegian (Penn State)
04/22/2008

(U-WIRE) UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — More than a month of anticipation — including visits from presidential candidates to campus — comes to an end as voters in Pennsylvania cast their primary ballots.

With the race for the Democratic nomination still in play, Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., are poised for a close battle in the primary.

—I think that what we're going to see is student turnout, and not just student turnout because it's Election Day, but because they believe they have a stake in the primary,— said Samantha Miller, spokeswoman for the Penn State College Democrats. —It's not just a date that is going to just come and go. People are waiting for Tuesday, people are waiting to go to the polls.—

Jessalyn Schwartz, an officer of Penn State Students for Barack Obama, said her group will be focusing on getting students to the polls tomorrow in a nonpartisan effort.

—At this point, we think that it's up to them to decide who they're going to vote for,— she said. —We just want to make sure we have the turnout and that everyone gets a chance to vote.—

Sean Leonard, president of Penn State Students for Hillary, said he believes Clinton will win the primary.

—I know that she will win the state, absolutely. It's just a matter of percentage points,— he said. —Voters are thinking that she will be able to run the country a lot better than the other candidate.—

Trey Thomas, president of Represent, a nonpartisan voter registration group on campus, said he is optimistic about student turnout.

—We haven't seen this type of enthusiasm in getting people registered since I came here in 2004,— he said. —There's nothing to suggest that they won't turn out in the same high numbers that they registered last month.—

The past three presidential primaries in Pennsylvania only turned out 365 Penn State students to vote, Thomas said, predicting there will be a massive increase in turnout this year.

Jack Vickrey, vice president of the Penn State College Republicans, said he thinks more Republican students will vote than in previous primaries, but wishes Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., had visited the University.

—I think John McCain overlooked Pennsylvania,— he said. —He still could have come here and charmed some of the people ... have some face time and campaign here not necessarily as much as he would have in the other states, but at least a little bit.—

Clinton, Obama and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, all visited Penn State in the last month, gathering crowds in the thousands and discussing plans to help college students.

In an interview with The Daily Collegian in March, Obama said he plans to expand the Pell Grant program to provide $4,000 per year in tuition credit for students who participate in community service or programs like the Peace Corps after graduation.

In her speech Sunday, Clinton said she plans to eliminate the FAFSA form and suggested incorporating the application on tax forms. Clinton also said she plans to introduce a two-year public service offer to pay $10,000 for college debt and stop predatory student loan companies.

Both Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, and her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, also visited Penn State during the last month.

Paul also spoke about college costs, and said the government was to blame for rising tuition prices because it has been causing inflation with its large debt.

—We don't need more government; we need less government,— he said April 11.

[ Back to Student Voices ]