Spring Break
Presidential race provides talking point for students
Groups support, debate on Facebook
KRISTEN COULTER
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: News
As Sylvia Hutchinson laid out 10 copies of Senator Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" and piles of newspaper articles about the senator, passers-by took note. Some glanced at the table, and others stopped to ask questions.
Hutchinson, a retired University professor, smiled and told the interested students that no, she was not part of a campaign. She was just hosting a book group Friday afternoon.
With more than 13 months before the 2008 presidential primaries in Georgia, the talk about selecting a candidate has already begun.
National media highlights candidates and potential candidates daily. Now students are beginning to consider their electoral options.
Lauren Mackenzie, a sophomore from Marietta, said she wants to know a lot about the candidates before she casts her first ballot in a presidential election.
"I feel like I'm in the middle of figuring out my political beliefs," she said.
Many students are aware of the media's coverage of the campaign.
"We are hearing more about the Democrats than the Republicans, and I think that is going to show in the election," said Grace Akan, a junior from Marietta.
When asked about their thoughts of the 2008 presidential contenders, many students mentioned Hillary Clinton. Clinton, a senator representing New York and a former U.S. first lady, is the iconic figure when many students consider the upcoming race.
"I think Hillary Clinton is a great leader," said Katie Chambers, a freshman from Watkinsville. "But I don't agree with her politics."
As political conversations heat up, so do those on the Internet.
Students can voice their political opinions through many forums, including some online. Facebook has become a Web site on which students can advertise their ties to issues, candidates and political parties.
Facebook account holders have engaged the candidates by creating groups and events. Candidates are mentioned in both positive and negative lights. There are more than 230 groups mentioning John McCain, including the "John McCain Brings the Pain" group, which is affiliated with the University's network on Facebook.
One of the more than 160 Rudolph Giuliani groups, the "Rudy Giuliani Ex-Wives Club," calls attention to the former mayor's marital troubles.
More than 500 groups discuss Clinton, including "Hillary Clinton Must Be Stopped" and "I Love Hillary Clinton" in the University's network.
Several groups, including "Obama Shouldn't Be President Because His Name Sounds Like a Terrorist's" and "Barack Obama (One Million Strong For Barack)," mention Obama. Obama attended a rally largely organized by supportive Facebook groups at George Mason University on Feb. 2. The Washington Post reported crowd estimates ranged from 3,500 to 5,000.
As the electorate casts votes in the primaries early next year, the political discussions across campus and on social networking Web sites will likely increase.
Hutchinson, a retired University professor, smiled and told the interested students that no, she was not part of a campaign. She was just hosting a book group Friday afternoon.
With more than 13 months before the 2008 presidential primaries in Georgia, the talk about selecting a candidate has already begun.
National media highlights candidates and potential candidates daily. Now students are beginning to consider their electoral options.
Lauren Mackenzie, a sophomore from Marietta, said she wants to know a lot about the candidates before she casts her first ballot in a presidential election.
"I feel like I'm in the middle of figuring out my political beliefs," she said.
Many students are aware of the media's coverage of the campaign.
"We are hearing more about the Democrats than the Republicans, and I think that is going to show in the election," said Grace Akan, a junior from Marietta.
When asked about their thoughts of the 2008 presidential contenders, many students mentioned Hillary Clinton. Clinton, a senator representing New York and a former U.S. first lady, is the iconic figure when many students consider the upcoming race.
"I think Hillary Clinton is a great leader," said Katie Chambers, a freshman from Watkinsville. "But I don't agree with her politics."
As political conversations heat up, so do those on the Internet.
Students can voice their political opinions through many forums, including some online. Facebook has become a Web site on which students can advertise their ties to issues, candidates and political parties.
Facebook account holders have engaged the candidates by creating groups and events. Candidates are mentioned in both positive and negative lights. There are more than 230 groups mentioning John McCain, including the "John McCain Brings the Pain" group, which is affiliated with the University's network on Facebook.
One of the more than 160 Rudolph Giuliani groups, the "Rudy Giuliani Ex-Wives Club," calls attention to the former mayor's marital troubles.
More than 500 groups discuss Clinton, including "Hillary Clinton Must Be Stopped" and "I Love Hillary Clinton" in the University's network.
Several groups, including "Obama Shouldn't Be President Because His Name Sounds Like a Terrorist's" and "Barack Obama (One Million Strong For Barack)," mention Obama. Obama attended a rally largely organized by supportive Facebook groups at George Mason University on Feb. 2. The Washington Post reported crowd estimates ranged from 3,500 to 5,000.
As the electorate casts votes in the primaries early next year, the political discussions across campus and on social networking Web sites will likely increase.
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