Political Science 101

What an exciting time in an exciting place! I have been looking forward for my chance to vote in a presidential election before I even knew what politics were. Now I am old enough and have clear political convictions, but I was still excited to exercise my right on Election Day. That Tuesday, I along with the majority of Tulane’s undergraduate population had the opportunity to voice our opinion in the presidential election. We came out in droves – the line of people waiting to vote wrapped around the LBC, our beautiful new University Center, from the time the polls opened until they closed. Tulane is truly a great place for politics. Both the College Democrats and College Republicans are extremely active within the Tulane Community – I have seen Obama and McCain supporters campaigning everyday for the past six weeks! Not to mention, many people have gotten involved in local political campaigns such as the highly profiled Senatorial campaign for Mary Landrieu. Just in the past year, Tulane has attracted huge names in politics such as Bill Clinton, Ann Coulture, Ralph Nader, and not to mention Barack Obama himself. Just this past Monday, Tulane’s speaker series hosted a debate pitting Mike Huckabee against Senator Harold Ford Jr.

There was a different air about Tulane’s campus on that Tuesday. I found it very difficult getting my mind off of the election and how it would turn out all day. Most of my conversations began with “Did you vote” or something along those lines. My friends and I while eating at Bruff (which offered a whole array of American staples such as apple pie, corned beef and swiss, etc.) couldn’t help but discuss politics and how we thought the election would turn out. My Spanish teacher decided to allow a full political discussion in her class to celebrate the day.

That night two friends of mine and I camped out in Monroe 703 watching the returns. We each had a laptop actively refreshing different websites so that we may be the first to know. As we watched history taking place, I was putting my political knowledge to work from my Introduction to Political Science class making predictions of certain states and understanding certain demographics. I will admit to you that I was extremely pleased with the results of the election, and many of my fellow Tulanians felt the same way. Fireworks were bursting in front of my dorm, and screams of excitement filled the air on campus. Election Day is my new favorite holiday, and I am glad to have celebrated here on campus!