As balloons dropped from the ceiling and were stomped by exiting students, Western Hall was filled with what sounded like fireworks. It marked the only sense of excitement in the air, as the MPE voting ended in a swift anti-climax.
Associate Professor John Hemingway stood on the stage, reading voting results that were as simple as this: "_______ (your state here) Obama."
Obama won by a landslide.
But there was no rushing of the stage by Obama supporters. The only direction people were rushing in was toward the exit. That is, as soon as they marked their name on attendance sheets.
It feels like the MPE was quite a success, whether or not the political spirit has rubbed off on many students or not.
As far as the MPE's ability to predict a winner in 2008's U.S. Presidential election, only time will tell if Obama's campaign can "Barack the Vote" from WIU's Mock Election President to the White House.
Monday, November 5, 2007
As voting records announced, Obama takes a big lead
Each state's electoral college is turning in its voting ballots as members of the media circulate. At the left corner of the stage, Obama supporters engage a silenced crowd by chanting, "Barack the Vote."
Some votes are in, and Obama has taken a strong lead. The only state so far to vote for Giuliani is New Jersey, and Obama has even taken Giuliani's home state of New York. It looks like it may be a good night for the Democrats.
Republican State Representative Richard P. Myers is in the audience tonight. Green Party Presidential nominee Jared Ball sent a fairly long video message that played during the Presidential nominee speeches. It is good to see that some political leaders and activists are showing an interest in Western's MPE.
The Obama lead has increased as more states in the Central Time Zone cast ballots for Obama.
The Greens and Libertarians have received little ballot support from the Electoral College, as most people from those parties expected. They have noted, though, that they are just happy to get their message out to a large audience.
Alaska's 3 electoral votes cap Giuliani's chances at victory.
Some votes are in, and Obama has taken a strong lead. The only state so far to vote for Giuliani is New Jersey, and Obama has even taken Giuliani's home state of New York. It looks like it may be a good night for the Democrats.
Republican State Representative Richard P. Myers is in the audience tonight. Green Party Presidential nominee Jared Ball sent a fairly long video message that played during the Presidential nominee speeches. It is good to see that some political leaders and activists are showing an interest in Western's MPE.
The Obama lead has increased as more states in the Central Time Zone cast ballots for Obama.
The Greens and Libertarians have received little ballot support from the Electoral College, as most people from those parties expected. They have noted, though, that they are just happy to get their message out to a large audience.
Alaska's 3 electoral votes cap Giuliani's chances at victory.
Platform pushing
Each party -- Green, Libertarian, Republican and Democratic -- took the stage to give a last explanation of platforms to voters.
The Green Party took the stage first, stressing the importance of a new party, a change for America and the Green Party’s strong grassroots ideology.
The Libertarians were next and explained their views for non-aggression, including opposition to the death penalty and the legalization of marijuana.
The Democratic Party was next, and pushed its platform aimed mainly at the Republicans. After a somewhat convoluted metaphor, the Democrats argued mainly for the withdrawal of Iraq and the strengthening of civil liberties
The Republicans were last, with an argument to fight in Iraq to keep from fighting in America. Morals and profitable business also were mentioned, but it is clear that Iraq has become the divisive issue for this debate.
The candidates will now have a chance to speak and maybe convert a few last-minute voters.
The Green Party took the stage first, stressing the importance of a new party, a change for America and the Green Party’s strong grassroots ideology.
The Libertarians were next and explained their views for non-aggression, including opposition to the death penalty and the legalization of marijuana.
The Democratic Party was next, and pushed its platform aimed mainly at the Republicans. After a somewhat convoluted metaphor, the Democrats argued mainly for the withdrawal of Iraq and the strengthening of civil liberties
The Republicans were last, with an argument to fight in Iraq to keep from fighting in America. Morals and profitable business also were mentioned, but it is clear that Iraq has become the divisive issue for this debate.
The candidates will now have a chance to speak and maybe convert a few last-minute voters.
Pats on the back
After a warming introduction, WIU President Al Goldfarb took the stage to thank everyone for their support and hard work, which made this event possible. He stressed civic engagement, and why voting is so important for everyone. These sentiments were echoed by the next speaker, Illinois State Senator John Sullivan.
Sullivan recounted his own election trail, remembering the hard work he put into campaigning only to be left on election night in the power of the voters.
“This election now is in your hands,” Sullivan said.
Although the proceedings started a little late, a warm thanks also was extended to everyone involved, from the people at News-Meister to the printing service that made all the banners.
With such a herculean task like this mock election, it is no wonder there was a long list of people who helped.
The rules are being read now, but with a complex and rather foreign set of guidelines, it won’t be too much of a surprise if there were a few bumps.
Sullivan recounted his own election trail, remembering the hard work he put into campaigning only to be left on election night in the power of the voters.
“This election now is in your hands,” Sullivan said.
Although the proceedings started a little late, a warm thanks also was extended to everyone involved, from the people at News-Meister to the printing service that made all the banners.
With such a herculean task like this mock election, it is no wonder there was a long list of people who helped.
The rules are being read now, but with a complex and rather foreign set of guidelines, it won’t be too much of a surprise if there were a few bumps.
The beginning of the end
As the Western marching band's chorus pounds across Western Hall and countless students continue to file in, it's hard not to feel some excitement. The night is the culmination of four nights of debate and untold man-hours in an effort to bring voter awareness to the students of WIU. Although we will only be able to see if this worked a year from now, tonight’s turnout is encouraging.
Anywhere you look inside Western Hall, posters cover the walls and rails; a last ditch effort to show candidate strength. Obama/Edwards and Rudy/McCain are everywhere and always together.
Uncle Sam is rallying enthusiasm on stage, and it appears that almost everyone is here. Everyone is about to stand for the National Anthem, and the night has officially begun.
Anywhere you look inside Western Hall, posters cover the walls and rails; a last ditch effort to show candidate strength. Obama/Edwards and Rudy/McCain are everywhere and always together.
Uncle Sam is rallying enthusiasm on stage, and it appears that almost everyone is here. Everyone is about to stand for the National Anthem, and the night has officially begun.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Go Green (or go home?)
By Zach Baker
Robert Casey, president of WIU's Campus Greens, presented the party's platform planks in which only one plank was not moved, plank #8 -- prayers in public schools.
Delegates are seated around circular dinner tables, and appear to be engaging in their own personal convention with hundreds of conversations flowing about. Unfortunately, delegates' chit-chat was anything but political in nature.
Green Party hopefuls gave their nominating speeches onscreen via the internet. A very mumbled collection of speeches presented to delegates didn't manage to grab any of the delegates' attention.
The atmosphere so far has been fairly non-engaging between the party and its potential voters. Hopefully things will get interesting once delegates begin to vote for their Green Party candidate for president.
Robert Casey, president of WIU's Campus Greens, presented the party's platform planks in which only one plank was not moved, plank #8 -- prayers in public schools.
Delegates are seated around circular dinner tables, and appear to be engaging in their own personal convention with hundreds of conversations flowing about. Unfortunately, delegates' chit-chat was anything but political in nature.
Green Party hopefuls gave their nominating speeches onscreen via the internet. A very mumbled collection of speeches presented to delegates didn't manage to grab any of the delegates' attention.
The atmosphere so far has been fairly non-engaging between the party and its potential voters. Hopefully things will get interesting once delegates begin to vote for their Green Party candidate for president.
Greens not just about the environment: speaker
By Zach Baker
Delegates have finished filing in to the Lamoine Room, and the Green Party has kicked off its convention with the keynote speaker Sheldon Schafer.
Schafer layed out the Green Party's philosophy, including such "pillars" as the environment, social justice, feminism and respect for diversity.
"We are a grassroots political action party, and we’re not just about the environment," he said.
Delegates cheered the party's stance on an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, and a proposal for universal health care.
The party's speaker also addressed the concern over government regulation for corporate funding, which was met with huge applause from the crowd of about 250 students. The planks are upcoming.
Delegates have finished filing in to the Lamoine Room, and the Green Party has kicked off its convention with the keynote speaker Sheldon Schafer.
Schafer layed out the Green Party's philosophy, including such "pillars" as the environment, social justice, feminism and respect for diversity.
"We are a grassroots political action party, and we’re not just about the environment," he said.
Delegates cheered the party's stance on an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, and a proposal for universal health care.
The party's speaker also addressed the concern over government regulation for corporate funding, which was met with huge applause from the crowd of about 250 students. The planks are upcoming.
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