The Observer, February 29, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 19
Do your homework before voting in Tuesday's presidential primaries
The state in which we currently reside has always been a critical fighting ground in presidential elections, and the Democratic debate at Cleveland State this past Tuesday only intensified the battle between candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Given that the Republican nomination seems practically written in stone, the Democratic primary has sparked interest in both Democrats and Republicans alike.
If you plan on voting in the primaries, think hard about where your vote is going before you cast it. Though we all procrastinate on homework, researching the candidates before you head to the polls is one thing that you really shouldn't put off. As could be seen during Tuesday's debate, Obama and Clinton have very similar platforms – it's important to know as much as possible before making a decision.
Instead of going into the primary knowing only what you've seen and heard in campaign advertisements or on YouTube, find an unbiased source of information. One such source is the BBC, which because of its international status is generally neutral toward our election. Its website (bbc.co.uk) has a guide to the election issues, complete with each candidate's stance – just go to News, Special Reports, then U.S. Elections 2008. Other unbiased sources are also available, but Wikipedia probably isn't the best website to turn to in this case.
At the same time, don't just make a checklist of issues. Think about what you really want in an American president. A decision is a mix of education and intuition, so reflect upon all aspects of a candidate before determining your vote. It all comes down to who you believe will have a positive impact not only on the lives of Americans, but also on the lives of people around the world.
Reading through this week's letters to the editor, it's obvious that Clinton supporters are worried about us college students. Young people have overwhelmingly indicated their support for Obama, and letters have flooded in trying to convince us otherwise. This goes to show that college students are being recognized as an important entity in this election and have the power to change the future of this country.
No matter what your affiliation, get out there and make your voice heard. Take a break from studying for midterms this weekend to ensure that your vote is an educated one.
