Emotions Run Wild as Election Nears

Tensions rise as voters prepare to cast their ballot indicating that supporters are preparing for a fight. In the final days, some students have noticed a change in tone among the opposition.

“I’ve noticed a shift in strategy for sure,” Katie Thompson, OU ‘12, said. “Not only has the Cleavland Co. GOP contacted me like crazy, democrats have been attacking me more often. People say ‘Oh, McCain will die in office if he’s elected,’ but I’m like, I don’t think that has relevance in politics.”

While Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL.) appears to lead Sen. John McCain (R-AZ.) in almost every poll, Obama’s supporters are still catching heat. Craig Poor, OSU ‘12, says even his friends have something negative to say about his political preference.

“My friends from back home give me the most hell for it,” Poor said. “Some people even say, ‘America isn’t ready for a black man.’ I just have to ignore all of those ignorant people, I’ll have the last laugh on election day. I think it’ll be close, though.”

Heated debates aside, Thompson says she’s leaving personal remarks out of it. She did, however, say that she believes many college students are voting for Obama because it is the ‘cool’ thing to do.

The Presidential race isn’t the only thing on the minds of young voters. Oklahoma’s Senate race has been been among political controversy for its increasingly negative attacks. Attacks some believe are necessary.

“[Sen.] Inhofe had to be hard on [Sen.] Rice,” said Lauren Christopher, OU ‘12, “because Rice is just like Obama. Oklahomans don’t want liberals invading. Inhofe is doing the Lord’s work – that’s what Oklahoma wants.”

Mina Farzad, OU ‘11, thinks otherwise.

“Inhofe had to attack,” Farzad explained. “He has someone who actually has the ability to beat him and he’s scared about it.”