LINDSEY BOERMA
Staff Writer
I can’t deny it. Every time I don my John McCain apparel, I feel like a political pariah. Items of McCain memorabilia are few and far between at Pepperdine, because let’s face it — being on a college campus, we’re in the center of Obama country.
Pardon the generalization. I am in no way claiming to be the sole college student in America who supports McCain. However, it is an indisputable argument that college students tend to be Obama supporters.
But what is it about Barack Obama — a Democratic, African American junior Senator from Illinois — that allures this new generation of voters?
My first instinct is to say his major appeal is his set of policy platforms, many of which are centered on benefiting the future generation of working Americans — in essence, today’s college students.
A prime example of this is his proposition of a universal scholarship program that would guarantee a fixed grant to each student attending college in exchange for completing community service hours.
It sounds great when preached Martin Luther King-style to a room full of cheering Americans. Yet, like many of Obama’s grandiose ideas, the logistics are conveniently left out.
I question where exactly he expects to generate the funds to execute such a maneuver. Call me a cynical conservative, but I’d feel much more comfortable knowing the fiscal details of his plans.
Regardless of the ambiguity of his platforms, however, the possibility that his support base of college students is manifested by these stances is at least functioning under the presumption that they are educated on the issues.
Unfortunately, this is a conjecture that requires, as Hillary Clinton would so eloquently put it, “The willing suspension of disbelief.” The fact is that most college-age voters are not fully educated on the candidates’ policies and thus base their choice upon superficial reasoning.
Everything about Obama’s persona is glamorous — his youth, his energy, his public speaking skills, his campaign for change, and the list continues. These elements complement the typically liberal preferences of college students, making him the ideal candidate for that group of voters.
Being liberal is often associated with creating change and being part of a movement. It is a trend, and so is Obama’s “hope for tomorrow” message.
Particularly during this time of war, Americans are reverting back to the days of the hippie era and Vietnam War protests. They are caught up in the trendy concept of advocating peace, and Obama seems like the guy to make it happen.
However, Americans need to realize that this is a different war with very dissimilar circumstances.
I am not denouncing Obama as a presidential candidate. I believe that with some polishing, his ideas could be truly revolutionary.
However, I also think voters — college students in particular — need to get past the trendy aspects of this election and focus on the issues facing the country, for only then will we achieve hope for tomorrow.
04-10-2008