By Kristin Martin
Published on January 8, 2008
Gossip, entertainment and school woes are the common conversation heard among students in the Student Center. Although most students claim to “not know anything about politics”, they still have their opinions on what they do know.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama seem to receive the most attention from the media. They are both in somewhat of a war to see who will be on top. After Obama won the Iowa caucuses and Clinton coming in top in the New Hampshire primaries, it’s hard to know what will happen between them.
One student, Conial Caldwell, 20, said, “I think it’s a war because Obama is the first black [candidate] and Hillary is the first woman.” Caldwell, a male student, continues, “I’m going to vote for Hillary.”
On the other hand, when asked if the U.S. is ready for a female president, female student Shana Smith, 17, replies, “No, if we were it wouldn’t be Hillary.”
The Republican party is just as unpredictable as the Democratic party. Mike Huckabee who placed first in Iowa came in third place in New Hampshire with McCain taking the lead.
“I’m going to vote for Huckabee if he is still running by [election time],” Smith said with confidence because she and Huckabee are both Christians and she believes that Huckabee won’t let politics get in the way of his beliefs, “I feel like he’ll be a good President.”
Many PJC students are first time voters and seem to be looking forward to voting in this year’s election.
“I’m kind of excited [about voting],” says J.T. Aguon, 18.
Most students who were interviewed felt that voting is important.
Datonya Dilworth, 18, said, “You have a say who is going to be in office – it can affect you and your family.”
“In other countries, people can’t vote. If we can, we should,” said Kyle Griffin, 19.
Johnny McCormick, 19, and Hayley Geiger, 21, both brought up interesting points.
“[The candidates] are giving facts, but you don’t know what they are going to do until they get into office,” McCormick said.
Geiger says, “If you know what is going on, you should vote. If not, you probably shouldn’t.”