Youth Votes To Count

This story was written by Amanda Tilley, The Battalion

All of the candidates are trying to bring in the youth vote. The Texas Secretary of State recorded that 2.5 million Texans between the ages of 18 and 29 voted in the 2004 election. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement said the turnout for youth voters for the 2008 election has more than doubled since the previous presidential election.

"We are the future of this country. We need to start making decisions and taking on leadership roles," said Texas A&M College Republicans Communications Director, John Passmore.

Though the College Republicans will not be endorsing a candidate until after the primaries, they are involved in the campaigning process.

"We're focusing on getting the issues out, focusing on political awareness," Passmore said.

Passmore said that the most important thing college students can do for the upcoming election is vote. "No matter what you decide, you should make your voice heard on the ballot, even if you think your candidate might not win," he said.

Aggie Democrats President Andy Cotter said the higher number of youth voters is reflective of his generation. "The youth are looking for a change. Our generation is politically savvy," Cotter said.

Cotter said that the Aggie Democrats are tying to get more college students registered to vote. The group registered more than 300 voters at MSC Open House.

With a constant stream of television and Internet news coverage of all the political candidates, information is available for anyone who wants to get involved. Each of the remaining candidates in both parties has a website with special features geared toward the youth vote.

Hillary Clinton has links on her website to YouTube, Facebook and MySpace. Clinton also has a site for her youth supporters known as "Hillblazers." Supporters are able to become campus spokespeople, travel with the Senator or even apply to become interns.

Barack Obama's site has the same type of links but has added links to religion and race-based online communities. Obama's student website gives supporters a chance to set up blogs and start campus groups for his support. The site also provides pictures and stories about Obama's visits to campuses around the nation.

John McCain has his own "McCain Space," where supporters are able to create their own personal web pages to show their support. Once members have set up their personal page, they are able to make donations, sign up for calling campaigns, be alerted through e-mail of any important news and download McCain-related computer wallpaper and buddy icons.

Mike Huckabee has the same type of links for youth based online communities and also has a link to meetup.com where his supporters can meet other supporters in their area. College Station has its own Meet up page where supporters can sign up for Huckabee events and print out Huckabee promotional information.

Candidates whose children are the age of youth voters are using them to link to voters. Chelsea Clinton is calling superdelegates on behalf of her mother. She has also made stops at universities to answer questions from students.

John McCain's daughter Meghan is traveling with her father on the campaign trail. She keeps a blog about several things in her life, not just politics. She spoke to MTV about her father and his campaign.

Some candidates are trying to get the youth vote with campus appearances throughout the nation. Obama has visied several campuses on his campaign trail. "Obama's rhetoric is pulling up the youth vote," Cotter said. "He's a great orator; he's making people passionate."

No matter what different sides each of the candidates may take on any of a number of issues, they all seem to agree on one thing: the youth vote is important and could have the power to put them into the White House.
© 2008 The Battalion via U-WIRE