Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: News
Campus leaders criticized for endorsing Obama
Student gov. leaders from Penn, Villanova, Haverford, Temple make 'personal' endorsement
Kathy Wang
The governor and mayor of Philadelphia aren't the only political leaders endorsing a candidate for the upcoming presidential primary.
Last week, student government leaders at several Philadelphia universities, including Penn, Temple and Villanova Universities and Haverford College, jointly authored a letter endorsing Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for president.
The letter - which highlights Obama's ability to motivate and his financial-aid plan for higher education - states that the students are presenting their personal views, not speaking on behalf of their student bodies or governments.
And while the endorsement has drawn criticism from some students and Undergraduate Assembly members who think the leaders are using their campus influences to advocate personal positions, the endorsers stand by their decision.
"This is coming down to a really close election, and in talking to other student body presidents and the Obama campaign, we thought we would demonstrate support from student leaders," said College senior and UA chairman Jason Karsh.
The letter has been sent to several national and local media outlets, including The Philadelphia Inquirer and student newspapers at all four schools, as well as national blogs.
Some UA members have expressed frustration with Karsh's endorsement.
"I see this as the best-written media ploy on his and other student government leaders' behalf," said College sophomore and UA member Zac Byer, who also serves as president of College Republicans. "If he's not writing [the endorsement] as a student body president then nobody really cares."
But other UA members have come to Karsh's defense.
"I support the idea that student leaders can publicly endorse candidates, just as private citizens can," said Wilson Tong, Wharton and College junior and UA vice chairman for external affairs.
"There's always the risk of something being misconstrued, but [Karsh] did a good job expressing that it's his personal opinion," he added.
Last week, student government leaders at several Philadelphia universities, including Penn, Temple and Villanova Universities and Haverford College, jointly authored a letter endorsing Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for president.
The letter - which highlights Obama's ability to motivate and his financial-aid plan for higher education - states that the students are presenting their personal views, not speaking on behalf of their student bodies or governments.
And while the endorsement has drawn criticism from some students and Undergraduate Assembly members who think the leaders are using their campus influences to advocate personal positions, the endorsers stand by their decision.
"This is coming down to a really close election, and in talking to other student body presidents and the Obama campaign, we thought we would demonstrate support from student leaders," said College senior and UA chairman Jason Karsh.
The letter has been sent to several national and local media outlets, including The Philadelphia Inquirer and student newspapers at all four schools, as well as national blogs.
Some UA members have expressed frustration with Karsh's endorsement.
"I see this as the best-written media ploy on his and other student government leaders' behalf," said College sophomore and UA member Zac Byer, who also serves as president of College Republicans. "If he's not writing [the endorsement] as a student body president then nobody really cares."
But other UA members have come to Karsh's defense.
"I support the idea that student leaders can publicly endorse candidates, just as private citizens can," said Wilson Tong, Wharton and College junior and UA vice chairman for external affairs.
"There's always the risk of something being misconstrued, but [Karsh] did a good job expressing that it's his personal opinion," he added.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
alumnus
posted 4/21/08 @ 1:34 PM EST
DO YOU REALLY THINK ANYONE CARES?
re: Jason Karsh sucks
posted 4/21/08 @ 3:17 PM EST
Wow, the UA prez is supporting Obama?! In that case, I'm abandoning my political principles and voting for Obama!
...Jason Karsh works for a little-known organization that affects few people on campus (wow, they got Rukus!!!). (Continued…)
mt
posted 4/21/08 @ 4:27 PM EST
Look, let's call it what it really is: none of these people really give a shit about what is ostensibly the main issue here, i.e. is it appropriate for people in elected leadership positions in academia to get on their soap box when their constituents are of many different minds of thought and back a few different people. (Continued…)
All hail Zac Byer
posted 4/21/08 @ 8:50 PM EST
Zac Byer is the MAN!
Jake
Sung-Yi
posted 4/22/08 @ 2:15 AM EST
Were you out of the COUNTRY when THE REV. WRIGHT story broke?? Because I know all you liberal elites savor your moral relativism with your morning lattes--but among real people. (Continued…)
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