The spectrum of Election ’08 candidates has narrowed down and those with the strongest lead are heating up the presidential race. Like many college communities across the United States, the WCU community has also followed the candidates’ statements on many contemporary issues. As a result, WCU students and faculty alike have much to say regarding who they are going to the polls for in November and why.For 21-year-old political science major Marc Fauntleroy, the candidate of choice is Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D).
Fauntleroy stated that Obama’s campaign is an honest one with signs of both assertiveness and change.
“He possesses an overall character that has given him the momentum to supersede over his fellow running mates throughout the course of the election,” Fauntleroy said of Obama.
As for the issues of importance to Fauntleroy, multiple issues of the 2008 presidential race came to mind.
“The economy, healthcare and most importantly education,” Fauntleroy said, adding his thoughts on Obama’s stand regarding the Iraq war. “Obama believes that if we remain an aggressive presence both militarily and democratically, diplomacy will no longer remain an option and tensions will simply exacerbate.”
Less Cardinal, a 20-year-old political science major stated that he is in support of Obama and had a number of reasons.
“What I like about Obama is his ability to connect to every American,” Cardinal said. “He connects to every race, rich and poor and breaks the barriers between red and blue America.”
Cardinal also stated that Obama gave him hope that Cardinal himself can change politics and affect the world in a positive way.
“This hope is something no other candidate or politician has ever given to me or my family,” Cardinal said. “Obama is the closest thing our generation will ever see to the likings of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. or to President John F. Kennedy.”
Cardinal said that Obama will continue to make the world a better place for all of us, in continuance of both King, Jr. and Kennedy.
When it comes to the issues, Cardinal’s response reflected a focus on equality among American citizens.
“The issues that are most important to me are ensuring that every American is considered equal,” Cardinal said. “For me, most importantly this means equal rights for all gay Americans.”
While no single issue made Cardinal decide to support Obama, Cardinal stated that it is the senator’s overall brilliance on all issues.
Chantal Whitehead, a 21-year-old senior majoring in psychology is also definite in her decision to vote for Obama this November.
“He is a true leader and has an extremely genuine nature, and he is dedicated to the American citizens,” Whitehead said.
Whitehead added that with such dedication, Obama has been able to reach people across demographics including race, socioeconomic status and gender.
“The issues that matter to me most are education, the war in Iraq, healthcare, job opportunities, maintaining family structure and a prosperous future for our children, poverty, abortion,” Whitehead said. “There are so many!”
Whitehead stated that she is choosing Obama for his open-minded stance on the issues of abortion and gay/lesbian marriages.
“It allows the voters to decide for themselves what’s best for them,” Whitehead said. “American citizens have such diverse values that it is impossible to restrict their freedom in exercising how they feel.”
Of the faculty members questioned about their presidential candidate of choice, there was also a sweep towards the Democratic party.
Professor Jane Jeffrey of the English department was undecided so far and stated that she will be voting for either Obama or Clinton.
On the issues of this presidential race, Jeffrey stated that the most important issues are healthcare and the economy.
In the history department, LaTonya Thames-Taylor also gave her thoughts as to whom she would like to see as our next president.
“Barack Obama represents a break from privileged and exclusive politics,” Thames-Taylor said.
Thames-Taylor stated that in the 2000 election, most Americans learned how the Electoral College worked.
“Currently, they are learning about the power of super-delegates,” Professor Thames-Taylor said. “What does that tell us about the current nature of American politics?”
According to Thames-Taylor, it is not the “for the people, by the people, for the people government that President Abraham Lincoln encouraged us to continuously strive for in the Gettysburg Address.”
Thames-Taylor stated that the issues of most importance to her include the economy, funding for public education, inclusive healthcare and America’s foreign policy.
With Obama taking the lead among responses from WCU community members questioned randomly, could this be a sign of America’s next leader? Of course, we will see come this November as to whether it will be Obama, his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton or Republican John McCain.
Carol Dwyer is a third-year student majoring in English and communication studies. She can be reached at cd660170@wcupa.edu.