LAST WEDNESDAY, the University Democrats held their primary debate, featuring several students representing and arguing for the Democratic candidates. The event witnessed plenty of funny and serious moments, becoming a worthy testament to the vibrant political culture of the University. As the primaries and the general election become visible in the horizon, events like the UDems primary should play an active role in raising political awareness in colleges across the nation. The lack of activities like this creates a feeling among the youthful part of the voting bloc that they have few, if any, peer-organized outlets for political advocacy, making them less likely to vote and to systematically organize to achieve their goals.
The UDems debate was structured much like a typical television debate: A moderator asked questions and participants had a limited amount of time to make their arguments and offer rebuttals. The hour-long event comprised questions involving everything from Iraq and health care to illegal immigration. There were no student representatives for some candidates, like Bill Richardson, but apart from possibly annoying some fans of those candidates, the fewer people on the stage reduced time congestion -- and tension, simmering as it was with those who were already there. At the end, the moderator opened the questioning to the general audience for about five to 10 minutes. If that room is to be believed, Democrats have no clear consensus about who they want as their nominee.
Although the participants were just students, the dynamics of their sometimes heated exchanges closely paralleled what's happening among the real candidates. Hillary's representatives stressed her experience while questioning those of others; the Edwards representatives touted his health care plan while disparaging those of Hillary and Obama; and the Gravel camp enunciated his commonsensical approach to politics. The students sometimes took cheap shots against their opponents, in character, of course, and though these may not have been the most diplomatic of tactics, virtually certain never to appear in real debates, they were very entertaining for college students looking to spice up politics a little. Overall, and as far as this columnist can tell, all of them displayed a real commitment to their candidates and a fairly competent grasp of the views those candidates held.
Despite the daily barrage of political bickering and conflict portrayed in the media, partisan politics in this country is not even remotely as rancorous as what it used to be years ago-- the 19th century, to be exact. Politics now are dominated by the oldest among us - a gerontocracy of sorts. Old people -- sorry, senior citizens -- have considerable influence in American politics, easily overshadowing us younglings. They do so behind a lifetime of experience that often involves organization and activism at some point. They are far more likely than us to translate their common identities relating to age into some form of political pressure.
Just think about it: The government guarantees health care for all senior citizens beyond a certain age, but an American president just vetoed a children's health program and is somehow still politically alive. Imagine if those were senior citizens. The AARP would've invaded D.C.
College students share some of the same identities regarding age, but our energies are never as focused politically. Events like the UDems primary debate, however, remind this columnist of the unique political culture of our age group, a culture of fun, optimism and dedication that is all too important in making our democracy succeed. Our democracy would be even better if we didn't just use the current organizational structures to plan for the future, but instead focused on intensifying our efforts -- you know, so American presidents can never get away with shortchanging? young people when it comes to health care while paying so much lip service to our grandparents.?
No matter your beliefs or your causes, but provided you have some, if you're a student at this great University, you should join a political organization that you like, form one of your own or just become more politically active and aware generally. The world of politics can be fun if you view it from the right angle; Chris Matthews said "Life's a campaign," so start campaigning -- and living.
Erald Kolasi's column appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at ekolasi@cavalierdaily.com.
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