Democrats ask for student vote at rally
The College Republicans will hold a rally on campus next week.
Oct. 17, 2006
As they entered the final weeks before the Nov. 7 election, several Democratic Party candidates spoke at a rally on campus to appeal for students' votes.
The rally was organized by the College Democrats and was held on Saturday outside of Cornell Hall. Candidates addressed a crowd that included community members and campaign volunteers, as well as members of the College Democrats.
The candidates spoke on the steps of the hall flanked by campaign signs and banners. As the candidates spoke, volunteers worked the crowd, asking for contact information and soliciting volunteer opportunities.
"As the election gets closer, people realize the gravity of the election and what it can do to affect things nationwide, and more people are getting involved," College Democrats President Nate Kennedy said. "People want to help, people want to vote, and they're ready for some change."
Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill said she hopes the College Democrats can help motivate students to volunteer for campaigns in addition to voting.
"I need them," McCaskill said. "I need their help, and I respectfully ask for some of their time and some of their energy ... maybe one or two less keggers between now and the first Tuesday in November, one or two or three less hours IMing and doing the Internet stuff and maybe a few more hours helping us make phone calls and knocking on doors would be great."
Duane Burghard, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, said he expects an increase in college-age voters similar to the increase seen in the 2004 election.
"A lot more is at stake with college students when you talk about the record cuts in programs, when you talk about the war going on, when you talk about issues that affect college-age Americans," Burghard said. "There's a lot more affecting them now."
The College Democrats have a Facebook group and an 800-member e-mail list, Kennedy said.
"We've been gathering phone numbers and addresses, and we're ready to turn college kids out on Election Day," he said.
College Republicans President Tyson Mutrux said the organization will hold a similar event on Oct. 25 to support Republican Party candidates.
"We're just going to try and get as many candidates as we can," he said.
Speakers at the Democrats rally included McCaskill, Burghard; state Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia; 24th District state representative candidate Jim Ritter; Boone County presiding commissioner candidate Ken Pearson and associate circuit court judge candidate Deborah Daniels.
State Senator Chuck Graham, who was elected in 2004 and is not up for reelection, also spoke to endorse the Democratic candidates and appeal for volunteers and votes.
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