Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News
Overwhelming student support for Obama
DP/CBS News poll shows 73 percent of Penn students favor Obama, with 71 percent of students supporting him statewide
Colin Kavanaugh
Among college students, Sen. Hillary Clinton could use the "Colbert bump" right about now.
According to a recent Daily Pennsylvanian/CBS News poll, Clinton (D-N.Y.) lags far behind Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) among Penn voters on campus.
Among Penn students, 73 percent of registered Democrats favor Obama for the nomination, compared to just 26 percent for Clinton - who appeared in Colbert's show, filmed on campus, last night in an appeal to young voters before Tuesday's primary.
Penn's numbers are also comparable to statewide data - according to the poll, which also includes data from campuses across Pennsylvania, 71 percent of students supported Obama, with 28 percent favoring Clinton.
The trends revealed in the poll are not surprising for a college campus. Obama has won the youth vote in almost every state since the nominating process began in January.
But the poll did reveal that whomever they support, roughly nine in 10 students are paying attention to the election, with 86 percent declaring that they are likely to vote in the primary.
Similar to voters nationwide, Penn students are more concerned with the economy than anything else - 43 percent said the economy was their top issue.
The war and health care tied for the second most important issue, with 17 percent each.
The poll also shows that Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, had less support than either Democrat in addressing the issues.
The poll revealed that six in 10 Penn students believe a female candidate faces more challenges than a black candidate in running for office - but the same amount said that racism, not sexism, was a greater problem in the United States.
Clinton also fared poorly when students were asked who could better unite the country, with 74 percent saying Obama would do a better job.
In the statewide poll, an Obama-McCain general election battle would put Obama ahead, 71 percent to 29 percent.
According to a recent Daily Pennsylvanian/CBS News poll, Clinton (D-N.Y.) lags far behind Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) among Penn voters on campus.
Among Penn students, 73 percent of registered Democrats favor Obama for the nomination, compared to just 26 percent for Clinton - who appeared in Colbert's show, filmed on campus, last night in an appeal to young voters before Tuesday's primary.
Penn's numbers are also comparable to statewide data - according to the poll, which also includes data from campuses across Pennsylvania, 71 percent of students supported Obama, with 28 percent favoring Clinton.
The trends revealed in the poll are not surprising for a college campus. Obama has won the youth vote in almost every state since the nominating process began in January.
But the poll did reveal that whomever they support, roughly nine in 10 students are paying attention to the election, with 86 percent declaring that they are likely to vote in the primary.
Similar to voters nationwide, Penn students are more concerned with the economy than anything else - 43 percent said the economy was their top issue.
The war and health care tied for the second most important issue, with 17 percent each.
The poll also shows that Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, had less support than either Democrat in addressing the issues.
The poll revealed that six in 10 Penn students believe a female candidate faces more challenges than a black candidate in running for office - but the same amount said that racism, not sexism, was a greater problem in the United States.
Clinton also fared poorly when students were asked who could better unite the country, with 74 percent saying Obama would do a better job.
In the statewide poll, an Obama-McCain general election battle would put Obama ahead, 71 percent to 29 percent.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 36
Natural Cures
posted 4/18/08 @ 6:45 AM EST
On TV they said that this was the most important Pennsylvania Primary election ever. With the closeness of this primary, it is generating more interest in voting in elections. (Continued…)
Uninformed Voters
posted 4/18/08 @ 9:31 AM EST
Having lots of uninformed people vote is not especially inspiring, however good it makes the ignorant, yet participating, voter feel. Lots of students are for Obama, based upon the word "change," some hearsay, perhaps a brush with a soundbite, and his skin color. (Continued…)
Alum '00
posted 4/18/08 @ 1:06 PM EST
The senior citizens that spam this board in support of Hillary really need to stop; the article has shown Penn students do not support her. There is no feasible way she can win the nomination without destroying the Party, which she seems all too eager to do. (Continued…)
Pot-smoking slackers for Obama
posted 4/18/08 @ 1:34 PM EST
College students--many of whom don't pay taxes, don't have families, don't have to provide for themselves, and who have an idealistic view of geopolitics--are a small subsection of the voting population, especially when you're looking only at a few colleges in one state. (Continued…)
Alum'86
posted 4/18/08 @ 1:53 PM EST
The Clintons succeeded by aping Republican tactics and are still at it. Hillary is speaking in code to the white working class. She is stoking their resentment and fears. (Continued…)
Another lazy, pot smoking college student looking forward to 4/20
posted 4/18/08 @ 8:52 PM EST
As a lazy, pot-smoking, Greek system member here at Penn, I can assure you my vote will be going to Barack Obama. Why? Because like most other people my age, I am ignorant, follow what others choose to follow, and obsessed with whatever will make me seem cool. (Continued…)
Harvey
posted 4/19/08 @ 3:52 AM EST
I am a Penn graduate, and am surprized to see that Obama is favored. I can understand the misinformed, the young voters who appreciate his 'charisma' being taken in - but my fellow Quakers? I wrote the notes below regarding the media. (Continued…)
Dumbing Down
posted 4/19/08 @ 5:49 AM EST
Note that the Obama supporters have nothing concrete to say about him, just as he has nothing concrete to say, no plans, no knowledge, just a bunch of whiny vague rhetoric. (Continued…)
Lauren
posted 4/19/08 @ 7:48 PM EST
I can't believe so-called informed people are voting for Clinton.
If anyone wants to see Obama provide details, they can just look at the prophetic nature of the warning he gave about the Iraq war before invading, at www. (Continued…)
Joe K.
posted 4/19/08 @ 8:26 PM EST
So glad to see such support for Obama, As an alum of Penn, I was so disappointed with the Daily Pennsylvanian's endorsement of Hillary. This woman will say and do anything to get elected. (Continued…)
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