Forum surveys students' electorial hopes and fears
Swing Phi Swing's "Rock the Vote" forum produced engaging conversations
Marina Locks
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Campus Life
On Thursday, September 26, the lovely ladies of Swing Phi Swing hosted the Rock the Vote: Barack Obama/John McCain Forum. Renata Dukes, a member of Swing Phi Swing was excited to host such an event because, "College students aren't really politically savvy and people are voting for Obama because he's Black." The group wanted to inform Morgan students about what each candidate stands for and they wanted to notify them of the most recent issues and concerns at hand.
Swing Phi Swing started off the forum by showing video clips of each candidate that presented their opposing point of view on a variety of issues. The presentation was exceptionally informative and very entertaining. However, the discussions that went on in the middle of the presentation may have been the highlight of the event. Christian S. Hill, a very outspoken and opinionated audience member, helped shape a very engaging discussion.
The discussion started off with excitement about Senator Barack Obama, and then led to criticisms of the potential Obama voters. Hill said "It's great that we have an African-American Democrat running for office, but everyone is so excited about Barack simply because he's black." The group seemed to agree that they would all vote for Obama not because of his color, but because they want a candidate who may carry out effective and valuable plans that reshape America into a fair, safe and affordable nation.
After discussing Obama and his qualifications, the focus shifted to Senator John McCain. They discussed what they felt was a poor selection for a running mate, Governor Sarah Palin. The group felt that McCain was trying to get a majority of the women vote by selecting Palin, because he, in fact, alienated himself from women voters during his campaign. They felt that women around the country would like to see a woman in a high position of power, but not a controversial, inexperienced woman such as Palin.
The majority of the audience also felt that McCain was unprepared for the first presidential debate against Barack Obama. The group agreed that McCain used the financial crisis as a scapegoat to opt out of the debate. Swing Phi Swing and many audience members felt that it was also a strategy for McCain to seem like the person in charge or America's hero. Morgan student Kashun Davis said, "John McCain is leaning on being a prisoner of war. His ideals are old and I don't think he is ready to take on this job." It was also added that McCain has not voted on a bill in months because he has been busy campaigning, and if he cannot multitask with the few things he has now, imagine how hard it will be for him to be an effective president.
Those that were at the Rock the Vote forum represented a portion of the brilliant minds of the college students at Morgan State, as they shed light on how involved they are in politics, their future, as well as the leaders of tomorrow.
Swing Phi Swing started off the forum by showing video clips of each candidate that presented their opposing point of view on a variety of issues. The presentation was exceptionally informative and very entertaining. However, the discussions that went on in the middle of the presentation may have been the highlight of the event. Christian S. Hill, a very outspoken and opinionated audience member, helped shape a very engaging discussion.
The discussion started off with excitement about Senator Barack Obama, and then led to criticisms of the potential Obama voters. Hill said "It's great that we have an African-American Democrat running for office, but everyone is so excited about Barack simply because he's black." The group seemed to agree that they would all vote for Obama not because of his color, but because they want a candidate who may carry out effective and valuable plans that reshape America into a fair, safe and affordable nation.
After discussing Obama and his qualifications, the focus shifted to Senator John McCain. They discussed what they felt was a poor selection for a running mate, Governor Sarah Palin. The group felt that McCain was trying to get a majority of the women vote by selecting Palin, because he, in fact, alienated himself from women voters during his campaign. They felt that women around the country would like to see a woman in a high position of power, but not a controversial, inexperienced woman such as Palin.
The majority of the audience also felt that McCain was unprepared for the first presidential debate against Barack Obama. The group agreed that McCain used the financial crisis as a scapegoat to opt out of the debate. Swing Phi Swing and many audience members felt that it was also a strategy for McCain to seem like the person in charge or America's hero. Morgan student Kashun Davis said, "John McCain is leaning on being a prisoner of war. His ideals are old and I don't think he is ready to take on this job." It was also added that McCain has not voted on a bill in months because he has been busy campaigning, and if he cannot multitask with the few things he has now, imagine how hard it will be for him to be an effective president.
Those that were at the Rock the Vote forum represented a portion of the brilliant minds of the college students at Morgan State, as they shed light on how involved they are in politics, their future, as well as the leaders of tomorrow.
Be the first to comment on this story