U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama has been encouraging out-of-state college students in Iowa to participate in the important January 3 caucuses. Is that fair?
Here's an interesting twist to the upcoming U.S. presidential caucus and primary season (which starts January 3, if you can believe that). The Democratic race in Iowa is so close right now that every vote really does count. Therefore, candidates are paying extra attention this year to a group that usually doesn't get enough attention-- college students, and in this case, out-of-state college students who attend Iowa colleges and universities. Legally, they are eligible to participate in the caucuses, which despite al the hoopla, only draw about 1 out of 10 voters. With participation that low, an increase in student participation in the race could potential make a significant impact on the Iowa caucuses and perhaps on this historic election.
Senator Barack Obama, a candidate who has a fair amount of appeal among young voters, has made an extra effort to enlist the support of out-of-state college students in Iowa, as reported by the CBS Evening News:
Barack Obama Enlists Out-of-State College Students in Iowa
The Clinton campaign and some Iowa voters have complained, saying this puts an unfair amount of political clout into the hands of young people who do not live in iowa for the full year. However, I must say that I'm always delighted to see a candidate who takes students and their concerns seriously. If this gets more students involved-- and encourages candidates to pay attention to the needs of young people as well as the needs of the elderly-- then this is terrific. Besides, this isn't an Iowa election-- it's a national one, so the issue of getting voters who don't live permanently in Iowa involved doesn't seem terribly relevant. Good for you, Senator Obama.
