After the recent political scandal involving former congressman Mark Foley and the country’s involvement in the Iraq war, some student voters at Cal State Long Beach said it could possibly affect the vote due to either students not caring or them being set on a political party.
Foley recently resigned due to allegations of writing sexual e-mails to congressional pages. This story, along with recent rumors of a political cover-up by the Republicans, could possibly sway voters across the country away from voting for Republican candidates.
A recent poll by the Associated Press showed that 61 percent of likely voters disapprove of the Bush administrations’ handling of the war in Iraq. Students were asked how the low approval ratings of the Republican Party might affect the outcome of the upcoming election.
The AP poll also showed that by a margin of nearly 2-to-1, voters think Democrats would be better at combating political corruption than Republicans.
“If you’re going to vote Republican you’re voting how you feel,” said Beth Hathaway, an undeclared major and registered Democrat. “This scandal definitely made them [Republicans] shake in their boots. They’re always trying to find a reason to bash the Democrats. I’m a liberal and will probably not vote for a Republican either way.”
But anthropology major and independent voter Dena Gleason had a different perspective.
“I don’t know if it will affect their [students] vote one way or the other, because if you’re an educated voter you will look at all issues, not just one,” she said.
Journalism major Marianna O’Carroll also had an opinion to share.
“I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat because Republicans are too vicious and Democrats are too nice and I don’t have time for that,” O’Carroll said. “I think this scandal will affect voting because California kids seem more informed and more diverse than a lot of voters.”
Aside from students being asked about the scandal, Charles Noble, political science department chairman, was asked how he thinks students might vote in the election and if those who normally vote for Republicans might change their minds.
“Voters don’t typically reverse course over a single issue,” Noble said. “If the Foley scandal does change votes, it would be because it confirms what some people who were otherwise sympathetic to the Republicans have begun to think: The party cannot be trusted with power. It might also lead some conservatives to stay home, rather than turn out on Election Day.”
