Monday, June 13, 2011
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
CAMPUJS COMMUNITY
Students demonstrate political support
by volunteering for electoral campaigns
Desire to see change
prompts political
activism for 2012
presidential election
By AUSTIN WORDELL
Daily StaffReporter
While the idea of long hours
of work for no pay isn't enticing
for many individuals, University
students who sayithey are driven
by their faith in America's politi-
cal institutions to improve the
country are readily volunteering
in electoral politics.
Members of the University
community said students play a
pivotal role in shaping politics
through both voting and actively
participating in elections, and
that student involvement will
continue to be important in the
upcoming 2012 presidential elec-
tion.
Edie Goldenberg, professor of
political science and public pol-
icy, said as campaigning for the
2012 presidential election begins,
college students will prove to be
instrumental in assisting the can-
didates in garnering support.
"Students are valuable as
presidential campaign volunteers
because they have time, energy
and will work for free," Golden-
berg said.
According to Michael
Heaney, assistant professor of
organizational studies and politi-
cal science, politicians often look
toward college campuses for
volunteers and voters because
students are already in a central
location and are often organized
according to political beliefs.
"One reason why students
are sought after is because there
are some strategies that can be
pursued to go after them, which
is you can target them on par-
ticular campuses," Heaney said.
"You have student groups that
have been organized around pro-
moting one candidate or anoth-
er."
Heaney said he believes the
major point of contention during
the 2012 presidential campaign
will be the economy, adding that
the state of economic affairs lead-
ing up to election day will play a
large role in determining voter
sentiment toward incumbent
United States President Barack
Obama.
"If the economy really picks
up steam and you see a lot of eco-
nomic growth between now and
the next summer, then you are
going to see a strong likelihood
of Obama getting re-elected,"
Heaney said. "If you have any
kind of increasing unemploy-
ment or any kind of downturn,
then that provides a really strong
opportunity for a Republican pick
up."
Amanda Caldwell, chair of
the University's chapter of the
College Democrats, said she
believes students volunteer for
political campaigns because
they are passionate about the
issues.
"I volunteer because I believe
in the power of the political sys-
tem to build a more just, compas-
sionate, and sustainable nation,"
she said. "It is important to
remember that our elected offi-
cials not only shape our future,
but also reflect on who we are as
a society."
Anton Dirnberger, secretary
of the University's chapter of
the College Republicans, echoed
Caldwell's sentiment that student
volunteers donate their time out
of a strong belief in the parties
and campaigns rather than for a
personal career boost.
"Campaign volunteers that
come from the University of
Michigan College Republicans
are most assuredly not just look-
ing for a resume booster," Dirn-
berger said. "They understand
the effect our government has on
our everyday life and know how
vital their participation is to see-
ing the results they want."
Caldwell added that stu-
dent volunteers who don't wish
to practice electoral politics as
a career still see the effect that
politics can have on their chosen
career path.
"Many of our volunteers are,
for example, pre-med or in a pro-
gram for the environment who do
not plan on going into politics, but
volunteer because they support
the Democratic Party on health
care and environmental policy,
respectively," Caldwell said.
Dirnberger added that stu-
dent volunteers are often valued
for the unique skills they offer
campaigns, particularly in tech-
nical areas such as social net-
working.
"Students are key to presiden-
tial campaigns because they are
extremely motivated, educated
individuals that can appeal to
other younger voters," Dirnberg-
er said. "This is huge, especially
on the grassroots level of cam-
paigns."
Despite the importance stu-
dents have shown to have in elec-
tions, Goldenberg said it has been
speculated there will be a decline
in student participation and vot-
ing in the upcoming presidential
election in comparison to the
2008 presidential elections.
"I wouldn't be surprised to
see (turnout) lower than in '08
when Obamas 'change' message
generated a lot of excitement,"
Goldenberg said.
However student volunteers
with College Democrats and Col-
lege Republicans said they are not
expecting any decline in student
participation for the upcoming
election.
Both Dirnberger and Caldwell
said they don't believe Obama has
not lost the youth appeal that
made students favor him heavily
in the 2008 election.
"We are not expecting to see a
decline in either student partici-
pation as volunteers or voters,"
Caldwell said. "Obama continues
to energize students."
Dirnberger added he thinks
the actions of the Obama admin-
istration will lead to even more
student involvement from the
College Republicans.
"While others may be expect-
ing a decline in student participa-
tion, the College Republicans at
the University of Michigan are
most definitely not," Dirnberger
said. "President Obama and the
Democrats' policies have been
our most effective recruiting
tools. Our membership has sky-
rocketed since 2008 and contin-
ues to grow. I know for certain
that college Republicans are very
anxious for 2012."
i1he1Midigan ailj
420 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327
swww.michigandaily.com
BETHANY BIRON ZACHARYYANCER
734-418-4115 ext. 1251 734-418-4115 ext. 1241
etha higednda icom 2,ancer@mchiandai,.com
CONTACT INFORMATION
Newsroom once hours:
NewsTips news@michigandaitrcom
Corrections corrections@michigandaiycom
LetterstotheEditor rothedaily@michigandaily.com
PhotoDepartment photo michigandiycom
ArtsSection arts@michigandaly.com
EditorialPage opinion@michigandaiy.com
SportsSection sorts@michigandaily.com
Magazine karkiramichigandaily.com,
Advertising Phne:,734-764-0554
Department display@michigandaily.com
Classifieds Phone:r734-764-557
Department classified@michigondily.com
E
0
EDITORIAL STAFF
Mark Burns
bc,rnmak@,,,,Oio,,diyr,,,
ManagingEditor
Bie Prssak Manaing esEditor
bpusakOm ichigndai ly,,,,n
Teddy Papes EdioriloPge ditor
tedpapesOici,5,oodariy,,,,
StephenJ. Neshitt raonagingcSprtsEditor
Erin Kirkland MaagingPoto Editor
pho,,@micigniodilr,,,
AngelatChih sManagingcDesignEditor
4
4
Haley Goldberg
copydesk@michiandail,,,,
Copy Chief
Sarah Squire We Deveopment Manager
squire@michigandaity.com
r------ ------ - ------------ " "-"" - ---"-"--"-- ----------
1 1
FR EE Smoothie |
- 1
1 1
1 O R C offe e Blast(one ize only) 1
No Purchase Necessary 1
1 1
Limit One offer per customer with coupon. 1
Not valid with any other offers. Valid at the Ann Arbor Location ONLY
Barry Bagels1
1 Westgate Shorppin Center
2515 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 662-2435 www.barrybagels.com Expires: June 20, 20111
BUSINESS STAFF
Ashley Karadsheh
Alexis Newton
Meghan Rooney
Connor Byrd
Quy Vo
Spectial rocs,,,
The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is
published Monday through Friday during
the fall and winter terms by students at the
University of Michigan. One copy is available
free of charge to all readers. Additional
copies may be picked upat the Daily's office
for $2. subscriptions for fall term, starting
in September, via U.S. mail are $110. Winter
tern (January through Aprillis $115,yearlong
(Septemberthrough April) is$195. Uniuersity
affiliates are subject to a reduced subscription
rate. On-canpus subscriptions tor all tern
are $35. Subscriptions nust he prepaid. The
Michigan Daily is a member ofThe Associated
Press and The Associated Collegiate Press.