There exists an old adage that one should never talk about three things while at social gatherings: money, religion, and politics. The reasoning behind that is obviously that there is no correct answer for any one of those three topics.

People may think they have it, but when another disagrees, an argument almost always ensues. If you feel that you have heard many arguments here around campus, but for some reason you haven’t left your residence under a rock for the past few months, election season is about to conclude.’

America is looking at one of its most unique and historic elections in history, and the vast majority of college students will be voting in a Presidential Election for the first time.’ In fact, both campaigns have really reached out for the youth vote in an effort to win as many new voters as possible.’ College campuses have become a hotbed for political mudslinging, and our very own Fairfield University is no different.

Here on campus, the debates were widely and closely watched, the New York Times has been closely read, and even the recently lowly Saturday Night Live has been enthusiastically followed. It’s fairly obvious to see that students do care about who replaces George W. Bush, whether they feel it be Barack Obama, John McCain, or anyone but Sarah Palin.’

Obama has been religiously preaching change throughout his entire campaign.’ That alone is more than enough for some voters, and he appeals to college students because of his youth and charisma.’

But some students feel that Obama is much more.’

‘Obama is an intellectual, and an intellectual like that should be in the highest position our country can offer,’ said Kat Moore ’11.’

Others, however, take an Obama stance almost by default. They aren’t quite pro-Obama, but rather anti-McCain.’

Brendan Sargent ’11, said that he does not know a whole lot about politics, but he ‘sees little to no change with McCain as president,’ but he goes on to say that his ‘confidence grew exponentially when Senator Joe Biden signed on as Obama’s running mate.
‘They are the best two candidates for the job,’ he said.

Throughout his campaign, McCain has tried his best to distance himself from lame duck President Bush.

In recent weeks, however, amidst widespread reports that Obama has widened his lead in the polls over McCain, the Republican Senator from Arizona went on a verbal attack of the Democratic Senator from Illinois.’

Alison MacNeill ’10 is an open supporter of McCain, but also doesn’t care too much for his opponent.’

When asked about Obama, she said the she ‘doesn’t believe him to be an American,’ finds him ‘inexperienced’ and finds his policies to be ‘socialist.’

‘ However, MacNeill favors McCain’s policies on taxes, citing historical references of past failures of tax hikes in order to criticize Mr. Obama’s plans for raised taxes.

MacNeil’s advice for the senator from Illinois: ‘Wait another eight years.’

All in all, this election will prove to be ground-breaking.’ If McCain wins, we will have our first female vice president. If Obama wins, we will have our first African American president.’

When all is said and done, if nothing else, politics will go back to its rightful place as social taboo for another four years.’

Anyone up for a religion argument?

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