The Presidential Campaigns at VCU

(note: I worked on this piece with Anisha Singh for a class we took together.)

With the presidential election close at hand, campaigns from both the Democratic and Republican parties are forced to compose strategic methods to win votes from various “battleground” states.
Virginia, usually noted for its conservative nature, has become a so-called “swing state,” meaning the vote can go either way.
With 13 electoral college votes at stake, camps from both sides know how crucial winning this state can be.
A common tactic used by campaign parties to lure in votes is to target the younger voter demographic, usually those between 18-24 years old. Although the voter turnout rate among college aged students is fairly low, Obama campaign worker Jackie Marshall believes that the young population, especially those in college, have the change to make or break the election.
“College students have the potential to be extremely influential in the outcome of the election,” Marshall said.
On the Virginia Commonwealth University campus, college students can express their affiliation by joining a political club aligned with either party.
Casie Fowler, a sophomore business major and an active member of the Young Democrats at VCU, has an objective to educate people on the importance of voting.
“Our main goal is to generate an interest in voting,” Fowler said. “Many students feel like their vote doesn't matter, but it really does.”
“Also, we try and get facts out there so people can make an educated decision on who to vote for,” Fowler said.
With the Democratic nominee still undecided, college campuses have yet to see an excess of campaigning; however, once a nominee is in place, Fowler believes colleges will be swarming with campaign propaganda.
“Once the election gets closer, you'll definitely be able to see the importance of the college vote,” Fowler said.
For college students who affiliate with the Republican party, the nature of colleges present a problem to trying to bring candidates to possibly visit VCU.
Aine Norris, president of the College Republicans of VCU, doesn't foresee Senator McCain having a pleasant experience at VCU.
“It's hard enough to bring in conservative speakers as it is, but it's not on our list to bring a GOP candidate to campus,” Norris said. “It just wouldn't be very fruitful, especially in a college environment.”
Norris, who was a student during the 2004 elections, does offer an insight for students now as to what they will see walking around campus come September and October.
“They might bombarded by new campaigners, trying to court voters walking around,” Norris said.
However, she doesn't see much use in this tactic.
“Campaign veterans, however, know that bombarding people with literature and information only upsets them and more likely makes them vote the other way,” Norris said.
Even then, with the race already breaking ground by having a black and a woman candidate as major front-runners, it is unknown how this election will play out.
“The race is pulling in so many students and so many different voters, since it isn't just two old white guys running against each other, it is a totally different election,” Norris said.