The University of Idaho Argonaut

With just 21 days before Election Day, political action across the nation has reached hurricane strength, however, the University of Idaho seems to be the silent calm at the eye of the storm. 
Other than the occasional water bottle sticker or button pinned to clothing supporting a candidate, students are largely keeping quiet about who their future leaders should be, and the stakes are high.

Bryan McQuide, a professor of political science at UI, said student voters in Idaho could help elect Democrat Walt Minnick over Republican incumbent Bill Sali in the First District Congressional race.

“This election is probably the most important election you will ever vote in,” he said, citing the importance of upcoming decisions related to energy, the Iraq/Afghanistan war and the national economic crisis. “The economy is in the worst shape it has ever been.”

McQuide also said the congressional race affects students directly because of Congress’ role in higher education legislation.
He said the role of campus political groups is not to
influence new voters, but to motivate them to vote.

“Student organizations are instrumental in encouraging students to get involved,” he said.

ASUI Sen. Loren Doman worked a voter registration booth at the Idaho Commons on Friday that was sponsored by the ASUI Center for Volunteerism and Social Action. He said they had registered at least 200 voters.

Doman expressed concern about low student political involvement and blamed a lack of student leaders.
“This is one of the least politically involved campuses,” Doman said. “(ASUI) is really concerned. We are really trying to get people involved … It’s kind of getting down to crunch time.”

He said the ASUI Senate is putting together a student engagement task force to get students more involved. Doman also said they are trying to put together information fairs before the election to inform students about the candidates.
The UI College Republicans’ and College Democrats’ Web pages have not been updated in years.

Avni Degirmerci, communications director for the UI College Democrats, said he had just gained access to the organization’s Web site and hoped to update it soon.
Degirmerci recently transferred from New York and joined the group because he hoped to contribute his creativity and experience in the political realm. He said the organization currently had between four and six members who regularly attended meetings.
“This is the least politically active campus I’ve ever seen,” he said. 

McQuide said for a campus of its size, UI actually has good student political participation.
“Bigger campuses are more active politically,” he said. “They are a hotbed of political activity … here we just don’t have that because we’re a smaller campus.”
McQuide said although there aren’t many student groups supporting candidates, there are many groups and activities supporting the individual issues, such as the environment or gay rights.

The UI College Republicans, College Democrats and UI Students for Barack Obama maintain group pages on Facebook which show a trickle of activity.
Degirmerci said the College Democrats collaborated with the Latah County Democrats to co-host a recent fundraiser for presidential candidate Barack Obama at the 1912 Center. He said the organization currently does not have any more events planned before Election Day, but they would likely plan something at an upcoming meeting.
The UI College Republicans and UI Students for Barack Obama did not respond to e-mail requests for interviews.

McQuide said he believes Obama and Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin are getting younger voters more interested in the presidential election. He also said young voters in battleground states could sway the presidential election.

Degirmerci said he did not perceive an increase in people joining the UI College Democrats because of Obama, but the organization is attempting to collaborate with the UI Students for Barack Obama.

Degirmerci has “great hope” that Democratic candidate Walt Minnick will win the election because of Bill Sali’s stance on the funding of student financial aid and his stance towards the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 
He said he is not so hopeful about other Democrats running in the state.
“I do look at things realistically,” he said.

Degirmerci said although it is an uphill battle being a Democrat in a traditionally Republican state, it is important for Democrats to vote anyway.
“Sometimes I find myself saying ‘this is silly,’” he said. “But people need to express themselves … People need to know that there is that 30 percent that support that other candidate.”

Doman said he did not feel that although the ASUI itself will not endorse a candidate or party, he feels as a student there is not pressure to keep his political viewpoints to himself.

“I don’t feel like I’m intimidated,” he said. “I can express what I feel … without feeling judged.”
Both Degirmerci and Doman said it is important for students to vote.
“If you don’t vote, you have nothing to complain about,” Doman said.

“It’s important to take charge and be politically active,” Degirmerci said. “Without the American colonists being active, we would still be flying the British flag.”