Republican, Democrat, Tea party, independent, anarchist? No matter how much someone professes to care nothing about politics or celebrity, there’s nothing quite like meeting the President of the United States of America.
The office, said to be one of, if not thee, most powerful position in the world brings a certain amount of style and pomp and allure regardless of who is holding office. When the President is in town, there’s an excitement in the air, an energy unlike anything I’ve been a part of elsewhere.
The opportunity presented to students who attend colleges in “swing states” is darn-right impressive. Augustana, being located a short bridge ride across the Mississippi River from Iowa – where the first presidential caucus is held and one of the important swing states in any election sits – affords our students the opportunity to brush with the highest office in the land on a regular basis.
The opportunity for students to make a difference in an election campaign, to hear the voices of the candidates LIVE, to participate in the great noisy process that is the campaign trail is unique and impressive…it’s all here for months prior to November of election year…and, really it’s all here for the years in between as parties prepare for the next run.
The opportunity a four year college in a swing state provides is the promise of at least one Presidential election near you for every student. The current president will be here. The vice president will be here. The opponent will be here. Likely even former presidents and speakers of the house and high ranking politicians from across the country will be here. And, especially as a student, you can be a part of it all.
When you are considering a college – have you thought about the opportunity to be part of political history? If you’re interested in politics, you definitely should weigh the “swing state factor” into your college search. But even if you are a major not focused on political science or law – consider a “swing state” college. There’s something about being part of the political machine – even once in your life – that stirs a passion for our nation, our freedom and the excitement of being in the presence of political power.
“I just shook hands with the PRESIDENT!”…regardless of party online pharmacy affiliation…kicks up the excitement in your day. And couldn’t we all use a bit of positive energy as it relates to our political process? So, I say, choose a college with “swing state” reach and experience the excitement of election season up close.
Good write, totally disagree with the graphic. Does the school officially endorse Obama? If so cool, if not very uncool. But don’t write about the joys of being in a swing state and show preference subtly to a candidate unless you officially support the candidate.
Sorry you don’t like my graphic. It’s from a time when Obama, IL Senator, came to campus. I hoped my first paragraph about regardless of affiliation – meeting the president (which he is) is exciting and worthwhile – would help clear up any partiality. Thanks for the comment, though. Appreciated.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words. (I should come right out and say I voted for him and will vote for him again this year.) I would have opted for a more bi-partisan graphic, politics has become and ideology sadly and I would hate to see funding from Republican Alumnus dip; people get touchy when it comes to their money if they think the institution is anti their ideals.
If an elected public servant comes to campus, regardless of party or rank, you treat him with respect, and, yes, you offer him some parting token of the school (typically hat or shirt). As an elected president or senator it is totally appropriate to give the person a shirt and take a picture. Great article!
If anything, Obama is endorsing Augustana in this photo, not the other way around. And he’s the president. Just saying. The point is that students would have the opportunity to brush shoulders with candidates such as Obama. The photograph is just an example of what you could see when attending a college near a swing state.
Inferred preference is all I was saying…
Interesting debate, but we do have only one president currently. Preference or not, there is no debate on that issue. I’m sure if Meghan had a picture of any of the former presidents visiting campus, she would gladly have posted them in addition.