The Brown & White

As Pennsylvania's primary approaches, College Democrats and Republicans try to determine which way Lehigh students will vote.

"The election will affect more people than may realize it," said Celinda Stanton, '11, vice president of College Democrats. "There are many pressing issues that people care about and hopefully will take to heart and head to the polls."

Stanton said Lehigh is traditionally apathetic toward presidential elections and politics in general, but now the campus is becoming more involved.

"Right now, the election doesn't seem to have too much of an affect on the general campus population," Stanton said, "but I have noticed student groups forming around candidates and have heard a bit more awareness about the issues and candidates."

Trevor Drummond, '10, communication officer of College Republicans, said Lehigh is a fair representation of the politics at an east coast university.

"While some have billed Lehigh as being predominantly conservative," he said, "I believe that this is due only to the lack of obnoxious protests and overt activism that plagues some other local universities."

College Democrats have chosen to show impartiality towards the Democratic candidates, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, in order to allow students to make their own choice.

"There are so many issues important to young people today that candidates are now taking the time to focus on because they realize the impact of the young demographic," Stanton said.

Drummond said the younger generation did not appear to be leaning toward one candidate.

"While [liberals] have a stronghold on the media, and gender/racial issues seem to dominate most of the debate, I would conjecture that there are just as many quiet, respectable students who would vote in a more unexpectedly conservative fashion," he said. "As always, the louder individual gets more attention, and [liberals] are notorious for being loud, if not hollow."

However, Drummond said the Bethlehem area is largely democratic and will likely become more liberal politically in the election.

"Bethlehem's predominantly minority population will more favorably associate with Barack Hussein Obama," Drummond said. "Likewise, the religious conservatism that permeates the Latino community, which has widespread roots in the Southside, would be unfriendly and unfruitful to Ms. Clinton's campaign."

However, Drummond is not counting Clinton out in the Lehigh Valley.

"Clinton has been resonating better with the unions and other marginally Marxist organizations," Drummond said, "and Allentown, with its rapidly declining factory population, is a hotbed of such activism."

Stanton said candidates should campaign on college campuses so students can get involved.

"I think if college kids could see the candidates first hand it would be a lot more personal and invigorate a lot more students politically and get them to the polls," she said.

Stanton said the best ways for students to get involved are to register to vote, learn the issues each candidate is focusing on and to get involved through student groups or campaigning offices.

"Members of the College Democrats have been given opportunities to work on both campaigns through the local offices," Stanton said.

Drummond said College Republicans are working to get speakers on campus. Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is scheduled to speak at Lehigh on April 24, he said.

Drummond said even if candidates visit colleges, it doesn't really help students make up their minds.

"Often times, when candidates come to college campuses, it's so late in the game that most young voters haven't the opportunity to register in time, and therefore are deemed ineligible to participate," he said.

Drummond said Lehigh must remain impartial during the election, in order to foster a community of learning. He said it should not encourage students to sway one way or the other; it can only offer information.

"By providing the opportunity for speaker funding, the University has fulfilled its role and needn't act in any other respects in regards to voting or the election system," he said. "One goes to college to learn, not to be indoctrinated."

The Obama campaign placed a conference call last Tuesday to the Lehigh Valley regional office in North Bethlehem.

"Senator Obama will be talking to universities in the area and would like Lehigh students to hear what he has to say and to thank them for everything that they have been doing," said Lauren Brainerd,'10.

In an e-mail, the McCain campaign said there are no immediate plans for events in the Lehigh Valley, but there may be before Pennsylvania's primary in April.