Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: News
Iowa or Bust
Youth interest, participation in politics on the rise this election season
Colin Kavanaugh
Actually, they do care.
While most students were busy catching z's over the winter break, some Quakers were bearing the cold of Iowa and New Hampshire in support of the 2008 Presidential candidates.
In a departure from previous election cycles, this year's candidates are depending on youth
involvement both within their campaigns and in voting booths for their success.
"We're at a time of war and that has produced a lot of activity," said Famid Sinha, a senior in the College and the national communications director for Students for Barack Obama.
"A lot of us have lost faith [in our government] and we want to restore that faith," said Sinha, who worked in New Hampshire over winter break organizing and scheduling for the Obama campaign.
lege and the national communications director for Students for Barack Obama.
"A lot of us have lost faith [in our government] and we want to restore that faith," said Sinha, who worked in New Hampshire over winter break organizing and scheduling for the Obama campaign.
Increases in youth volunteers also corresponded with a growing number of young people at the polls.
In Iowa, 22 percent of caucus-goers were under age 30, and 18 percent of voters were under age 30 in New Hampshire.
Even for natives of the process, this year is exceptional.
Amelia Ahlgren, a College freshman and New Hampshire resident, is used to seeing candidates in her state with its first-in-the-nation primary.
Ahlgren went door-to-door campaigning for Hillary Clinton, and she believes that Clinton's grassroots campaign gave her a "comeback" win.
She was told during the campaign that "this is going to be the most important election of your life," and said she felt more energy from young people than in past elections.
Students have been turning out for both political parties, with particular interest in the campaigns of Mike Huckabee and Obama, said Richard Johnston, a Penn Political Science professor.
While most students were busy catching z's over the winter break, some Quakers were bearing the cold of Iowa and New Hampshire in support of the 2008 Presidential candidates.
In a departure from previous election cycles, this year's candidates are depending on youth
involvement both within their campaigns and in voting booths for their success.
"We're at a time of war and that has produced a lot of activity," said Famid Sinha, a senior in the College and the national communications director for Students for Barack Obama.
"A lot of us have lost faith [in our government] and we want to restore that faith," said Sinha, who worked in New Hampshire over winter break organizing and scheduling for the Obama campaign.
lege and the national communications director for Students for Barack Obama.
"A lot of us have lost faith [in our government] and we want to restore that faith," said Sinha, who worked in New Hampshire over winter break organizing and scheduling for the Obama campaign.
Increases in youth volunteers also corresponded with a growing number of young people at the polls.
In Iowa, 22 percent of caucus-goers were under age 30, and 18 percent of voters were under age 30 in New Hampshire.
Even for natives of the process, this year is exceptional.
Amelia Ahlgren, a College freshman and New Hampshire resident, is used to seeing candidates in her state with its first-in-the-nation primary.
Ahlgren went door-to-door campaigning for Hillary Clinton, and she believes that Clinton's grassroots campaign gave her a "comeback" win.
She was told during the campaign that "this is going to be the most important election of your life," and said she felt more energy from young people than in past elections.
Students have been turning out for both political parties, with particular interest in the campaigns of Mike Huckabee and Obama, said Richard Johnston, a Penn Political Science professor.
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