UNLV Students Spread Presidential Candidates' Messages
This story was written by Shelly Mar, Daily Titan
With the recent spur of political activity at UNLV, including the televised democratic debate at the Cox Pavilion and presidential hopeful Ron Paul's recent visit, students are feeling the urgency of the impending caucus.
To spread their candidates' message, students have been advocating their presidential hopefuls through tabling, posters, pamphleteering, stickers and other means.
Sarah Kulkin, campus representative for Ron Paul, has launched a club on campus dedicated to the election of Paul along with the official launch of the Paul headquarters in Las Vegas.
Kulkin has been working closely with the official headquarters, which offers Paul literature, bumper stickers and shirts. Through tabling at the free speech zone, she said she has been able to inform students of Paul's message.
"The Ron Paul message definitely speaks to everyone," Kulkin said.
Yet, although student interest in the Paul campaign has grown, the process of establishing the group on campus was difficult.
Kulkin cited the delay of the organization was due mainly to the inability to find an adviser for the club.
"The college doesn't seem to be very politically interested," she said.
Although the initial trouble delayed the start of the campus campaign, Kulkin said student involvement and curiosity in Paul has been startling.
"Student interest has been overwhelming even though it's a new group," Kulkin said. "Everyone's really interested in what he has to say and the meet up group."
Sara Arthrell, junior international business major and campus representative for Barack Obama, agreed with that sentiment.
"I've been pleasantly surprised by the student outcome," Arthrell said. "As an organization, we're very excited about it."
The main topic students have asked Arthrell about is Obama's stance on Iraq, which has caused the official Obama headquarters to create a specific pamphlet for students and a pamphlet on Iraq.
"We are offering them a tool," Arthrell said.
Meanwhile, apart from Paul and Obama no other presidential candidate has campus representatives campaigning for them.
For Obama representatives that means the student pool is more open for conversion. They currently have 300 signed supporters. Arthrell said it's the undecided potential voters that she is trying to reach. Her main goal is to notify students of their power to vote.
"Our main focus is to inform students on Nevada as a caucus state," Arthrell said. "You have just as much an impact as everyone."
The Nevada Caucus will take place Jan. 19.
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