Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

St. Cloud State U. students ponder upcoming election
By Andy Baker
University Chronicle, St. Cloud State U.
August 11, 2008

After a long and arduous campaign season for candidates and voters alike, Election Day is suddenly less than three months away.

As campaigns round the proverbial final turn and head into the home stretch, candidates involved in close races at all levels will try until the last possible moments to woo undecided voters and secure victory.

St. Cloud State University graduate Amir Muhawesh, 23, of Plymouth, said he falls in the undecided category because the final weeks of the campaigns are when "all the dirt comes out."

"I'm leaning towards Obama," Muhawesh said. "I think we need a fresh face in the White House." Muhawesh said the economy is the most important issue to him, with foreign policy coming in "at a close second."

History has already been made in this year's presidential race, when an African-American and a woman battled it out for the Democratic nomination.

On the other side of the aisle, the Republican nominee ended up being someone who has, at times, drawn the ire of fellow party members who felt that his beliefs and actions didn't quite jive with their conservative ideals.

Though the country is, as ever, divided along party lines, there is no denying that these are tough times for Americans.

Gas prices are steadily rising, U.S. troops are mired in war, and the housing market is in decline.

The American people must now decide which man is best equipped to take on the enormous challenge of dealing with these problems: Barack Obama or John McCain.

Joe Hall, 20, of Little Canada, said he will vote for Obama in November. "[Obama] is charismatic, and he seems honest," Hall said. "I think it's time we had a president who will work for the people instead of for big business."

Meanwhile, Minnesota is under the national spotlight as incumbent Republican senator Norm Coleman and DFL challenger Al Franken fight to represent the state in Washington.

Mud has been slung in both races. McCain has compared Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, while Obama has characterized a potential McCain presidency as a mere continuation of the policies of George W. Bush.

In Minnesota's senate race, Coleman has accused Franken of being a carpetbagger, while Franken has said that Coleman is more concerned with special interests than the interests of the people of Minnesota.

This election year is one in which America finds itself at a critical juncture in history.

November will mark the end of an era, in which the United States was attacked on its own soil, became entrenched in a war based on false pretenses, and saw one of its major cities nearly wiped off the map by a hurricane.

If history is any indication, the percentage of young people who vote may have a significant impact on the direction this country takes in the coming years.

This election season has been one for the ages.

For information on where to vote and to see who is on the ballot, go to vote411.org or ci.stcloud.mn.us.

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