Young people see election impact
10:53 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Topeka — At Washburn University Wednesday night, at a forum featuring candidates Jim Slattery and Nancy Boyda, students listened and asked questions. That was just one night after a big crowd turned out at the school's library to watch the McCain-Obama debate. That same night, law students from Washburn packed a local brewery for some friendly partisanship.
What's going on?
"I think they feel like they have a stake in voting this time," said Washburn Mass Media Chair Barbara DeSanto. "Because when I ask my Intro to Mass Media class, which is a freshman class, how many are registered to vote, nearly all the hands went up and when I asked how many really intend to vote, again the hands went up."
And in DeSanto's experience, that's different from previous election years. The students we talked to say, they ARE more interested.
"We're gonna be stuck with this and we're thinkin' about it now," said student Tamika Sellars. "I think we're a more pro-active generation and are concerned about our future more than ever."
"I follow the news and follow what goes on," said Jed Knapp. "I didn't watch the debate because I know who I'm voting for."
"With our economy and our stance on foreign relations the last couple of years, I think more students feel like this is an important election year," said student Jake Loveless.
DeSanto adds, "I think college students today are very concerned about what's going on in the economy and what it means for their future."
We didn't ask the students we spoke to who they were voting for, but the latest ABC News/ Washington Post poll shows 18-to-29 year-olds favor Obama over McCain, 54-to-41 percent.
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