Obama’s voice being heard by college students
Nick Kosmider
Perhaps it is his youth-like optimism highlighted by a “campaign of hope.” Maybe it is the fact that at 46, he himself is not infinitely removed from the realm of young adulthood.Whatever the reason, though, many college students have an easy time identifying with presidential candidate Barack Obama.
A November poll showed that Sen. Obama was the most popular candidate, Republican or Democrat, among students at Mesa Community College.
Since that time Obama has pulled even with Hillary Clinton nationally and his popularity on college campuses has increased accordingly.
“I am voting for Obama because at his age he is someone who can identify with someone of our generation,” said Paul Caruso, 19, a student at Arizona State University.
ASU’s campus chapter of Students for Barack Obama is one of the largest chapters in the country.
“Students are looking for change and he (Obama) has the courage to make that happen,” chapter director Sean Bowie said of why college students are drawn to Obama.
Bowie said that members of the chapter have been working since August on the senator’s campaign.
Students’ ability to identify with Obama and the fact that he hasn’t been “bogged down” by Washington politics, are reasons students have been drawn to his message, said Bowie.
During the rally for the senator from
Illinois held in Phoenix on Jan 30., Obama spoke directly to the next generation of college students.
While Obama said he would offer more ways for students to afford going to college, he said students would be asked to give back.
“We will invest in you and you invest in your country,” Obama said.
Obama encouraged young adults to volunteer in homeless shelters or spend some time in the Peace Corps after finishing school.
“It is good that he expects us as students to be part of that change and that he recognizes what kind of influence our generation can have,” said ASU student Melissa Luna who attended the rally.
