The Quad

Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News

The spectrum of Election '08 candidates has narrowed down and those with the strongest lead are heating up the presidential race. Like many college communities across the United States, the WCU community has also followed the candidates' statements on many contemporary issues. As a result, WCU students and faculty alike have much to say regarding who they are going to the polls for in November and why.

For 21-year-old political science major Marc Fauntleroy, the candidate of choice is Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D).

Fauntleroy stated that Obama's campaign is an honest one with signs of both assertiveness and change.

"He possesses an overall character that has given him the momentum to supersede over his fellow running mates throughout the course of the election," Fauntleroy said of Obama.

As for the issues of importance to Fauntleroy, multiple issues of the 2008 presidential race came to mind.

"The economy, healthcare and most importantly education," Fauntleroy said, adding his thoughts on Obama's stand regarding the Iraq war. "Obama believes that if we remain an aggressive presence both militarily and democratically, diplomacy will no longer remain an option and tensions will simply exacerbate."

Less Cardinal, a 20-year-old political science major stated that he is in support of Obama and had a number of reasons.

"What I like about Obama is his ability to connect to every American," Cardinal said. "He connects to every race, rich and poor and breaks the barriers between red and blue America."

Cardinal also stated that Obama gave him hope that Cardinal himself can change politics and affect the world in a positive way.

"This hope is something no other candidate or politician has ever given to me or my family," Cardinal said. "Obama is the closest thing our generation will ever see to the likings of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. or to President John F. Kennedy."

Cardinal said that Obama will continue to make the world a better place for all of us, in continuance of both King, Jr. and Kennedy.

When it comes to the issues, Cardinal's response reflected a focus on equality among American citizens.

"The issues that are most important to me are ensuring that every American is considered equal," Cardinal said. "For me, most importantly this means equal rights for all gay Americans."

While no single issue made Cardinal decide to support Obama, Cardinal stated that it is the senator's overall brilliance on all issues.

Continued...

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