Fall term at Dartmouth always means several things: leaf peepers, a new worst class ever and pledge term entertainment. But this year Hanover is graced by the presence of a few of America's most prominent politicians during the Republican primary debate.
Considering that the only legitimate recent protest on campus was against our own dining services, Dartmouth is probably not the most politically active college in America. But with candidates actually heading our way this fall, there is no doubt that political excitement will pervade our bubble.
While the New Hampshire primary won't be held until February 2012, the top Republican candidates will battle to the death verbally, that is in Spaulding Auditorium on Oct. 11. I predict that several candidates will aggressively compete to make the most outrageous statements until they are forced to drop out of the election, though it may be hard to top Tim Pawlenty asking bloggers for their favorite Lady Gaga songs this summer. Another personal prediction? Rick "Ponzi Scheme" Perry and Michelle Bachmann will walk the fine line between promoting Republican ideology and blatantly offending 99 percent of Americans.
Presidential campaigning can be so superficial that you'd think the candidates came to Hanover to learn about facetime. Like Michelle Bachmann spending $4,700 on hair and makeup in three weeks? But don't worry Time magazine and The Huffington Post both reported that women across the political spectrum absolutely covet her hair. You know the American political system is f*cked when this is the most significant example of bipartisanship in months.
Regardless of political posturing, the debate will be an incredible opportunity to witness history in the making. How many Americans are able to see in person the politicians who determine our country's fate?
"Living in New Hampshire is a great opportunity because of its prominence in the national election process. We get exposure to issues and candidates far more than other college students around the country," College Democrats President Sam Lewis '13 said.
Besides the thrill of physically seeing the candidates on campus (and deciding if Mitt Romney really does look like a villain in a Lifetime movie as suggested on SNL), many students will be able to interact with them.
"In addition to the actual debate and the student watch party, there will be focus groups with media and candidates along with other events. Hundreds of students will have the opportunity to volunteer at the debate," Lewis said.
"The Rockefeller Center is already working to coordinate a lot of student involvement with the debate. There are opportunities for students to work backstage with the candidates and I hope that there is an opportunity to interact in a question and answer format," said Rockefeller Center First Year Fellow Jane Cavalier '14, who will volunteer at the debate. Cavalier is a member of The Dartmouth Staff.
No matter how much you may dislike or disagree with the candidates, you can't deny the importance of the debate, which will likely address academic issues like college education and student debt.
"Topics do actually change it is up the sponsors and moderators to choose [the] topic of debate," College Republicans President Parker Hinman '13 said. "Some debates are broad and cover all major issues, while others choose to focus on a certain area of debate. For example, the upcoming Republican debate at Dartmouth will focus exclusively on the most pressing issue facing our government today, the economy," Hinman said.
Thankfully, the political excitement will continue in the winter when the candidates return for the New Hampshire primary. As the first state to hold its primary elections, New Hampshire will play a key role in determining the Republican nomination by next summer.
"Since it is so early, the results of the New Hampshire primary election can go a long way in giving one or two candidates momentum that could likely carry them all the way to eventually winning the Republican nomination," Hinman said. "So the Dartmouth community can play a major role in molding the landscape for the Republican primaries."
So forget about your political apathy, look beyond the Dartmouth bubble and try to care about politics this fall. I promise it will be much more exciting than watching leaves change and harassing '15s as they run laps around a bonfire.
