Students engaged on both sides of campaign

No matter which candidate they support, students are excited about the 2008 presidential campaign, according to leaders of both the UR Young Democrats and UR College Republicans.

"So many people say Richmond is an apathetic campus, but from what I've seen, people are excited and can't wait to get involved to support the candidate of their choice," says Timothy Patterson, '10, chairman of the College Republicans.

He says his organization will "provide an educational environment where people can really learn where [the candidates] stand on the most important issues." The College Republicans, he says, "has wholeheartedly embraced John McCain."

Christopher Cotton, '08, president of the Young Democrats, also sees excitement among students, "largely because of the prospect of a break with the past." He says many students will be voting for the first time. Those factors, "combined with the historic nature of both Democratic candidacies, make this a very exciting time for many college students, especially Democrats."

The Young Democrats organized a voter registration drive last fall to help students register in either Richmond or their hometowns. The group also sponsored a lecture by Donna Brazile, a CNN commentator who was manager of Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign.

Along with the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, both student political groups have sponsored primary results viewing parties. Patterson says his group is looking forward to the general election and hopes to work with the Young Democrats to sponsor debates and bring campaign representatives to campus.

Other groups have organized on campus to support particular candidates, and some students are working or plan to work on their own as campaign volunteers.

Rasheed Nazeri, '10, co-chair of University of Richmond for Obama, spent spring break campaigning in Philadelphia and Scranton, Pa. Kathleen Shea Porter, '08, plans to work fulltime after graduation for whoever is the Democratic candidate. "I will do everything I'm needed to do. It will be tough. It's important to use whatever skills I have," says Porter, who has volunteered on previous presidential and congressional campaigns.