Despite Delegate Cuts, Florida Students Continue Campaigning

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- As Florida's weakened Jan. 29 primaries approach, University of Florida students have been frantically passing out pamphlets, and canvassing neighborhoods for their favorite primary candidates, even though the state was punished by both the Democratic and Republican National Committees for moving its primaries to an earlier date without permission.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, student supporters for candidates of both parties participated in Primarypalooza, an information session for students interested in primary politics. Chomp The Vote, the university's main voter registration campaign, organized and moderated the event designed to educate student voters.

In a series of question-and-answer sessions, student representatives for campaigns and parties argued their beliefs. Perhaps reflecting the unique concerns of University of Florida students, most questions dealt with education, the budget deficit and American involvement in the Middle East.

Even though all of Florida's Democratic delegates and half of the Republican delegates were removed from this year's primary, students showed their support for for Sen. Hillary Clinton (N.Y.), former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). But, only supporters for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) made it out for the Republicans, leaving most of the Republican front-runners out in the cold for such a typically hot delegate state.

But, the political views of University of Florida students reflects a growing schism between Florida's youth and the rest of the state.

Currently, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) is enjoying a growing lead among likely Republican voters in Florida, with former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.) and Giuliani trailing him by several percentage points. Among the Democrats, Clinton has a steady 20-point lead over Obama in Florida.

On campus, there is little evidence of this pecking order. The largest and most active student political organizations are Gators Paul, with nearly 200 members, and Students for Obama, with about 400 members. The reduction and, in the Democrats' case, lack of delegates, has not discouraged students from campaigning.

"We've been tabling every day, canvassing, we even wrote personal letters to the Iowa Caucus delegates," Charles Wise, president of Gators for Ron Paul, said. "We really can't do much more than try to convince people that being against the war is a Republican cause too."

Danny Beaulieu, a junior and Primarypalooza's student representative for Obama, agreed that campaigning despite the lack of delegates wasn't futile. In addition to sending students to South Carolina and Iowa, Students for Obama has continued to campaign on campus.

"I don't know that [Florida] is going to be a predictor of anything, but I do know that I don't like losing," Beaulieu said. "I do know it's important for Floridians to vote and show that we have a stake in this election."

With so many political views present on campus during primary season, it can be difficult to make certain candidates' views heard. Due to the restricted primaries in Florida, most student campaigns are receiving little to no funds from the central campaign.

"It's tough on a university campus because there's so much going on, so many distractions," said David Chauncey, a junior political science student and supporter of Mike Huckabee. "I just try to talk to people, see if they're interested. Maybe you'll see a Huckabee sticker on campus."

In an unusual move on Monday, University of Florida President Bernie Machen announced his formal endorsement of McCain as the Republican nominee. Machen has taken some criticism for his endorsement, though he was careful to specify in his press release that his views did not reflect those of the University of Florida.

"Well, I think he, of course, has the right to support whoever he wants personally," Chauncey said. "But I don't know if he needs to outwardly support anybody. It does create divisiveness on the campus, and he does represent 50,000 people."

Kristine Zooberg, a political science graduate student and member of the newly created Gators for McCain, disagreed. "I don't see any problem with a person of academic influence publicly endorsing a candidate as long as he or she is not using or taking advantage of the position as a platform for supporting a political campaign," she said.

This week, candidates have started flocking to Gainesville to woo potential student voters. On Monday, Huckabee flew into Gainesville Regional Airport to discuss fundraising with students before attending a private fundraising event.

"Mike sat down and talked to us for a good 15 minutes," Chauncey said. "He was really great. Nobody was disappointed. His press secretary was trying to get him out of there since he had an interview on the radio in a few minutes, and he was like, hold on, hold on, I'm talking to these guys."

And though McCain canceled his visit to the University of Florida campus on Jan. 27, he was endorsed by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) this past Saturday, Jan. 26.

Although students have largely been on their own in campaigning until recently in the Sunshine State, most student campaigns have been promoting their preferred candidate since early August. But as the national campaign frenzy descends on Florida, there is an air of excitement among student organizations.

"In a general election, people have an idea of who votes and who doesn't," Chauncey said. "Primaries are idealistic. This is the guy you like. You're trying to just show who he is, try to get his name out."