2008 Woodie Awards
Coloradans, youth finally get voice in caucus
Staff editorial
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Staff Reflections
For the first time in several years, Colorado and other states mattered in the decision-making process for the Democratic and Republican candidates for president of the United States. By moving up its caucus date to Super Tuesday, Coloradans had the opportunity to voice their opinions and make a difference in both races.
In past years, when Colorado's caucus was much later in the process, people showed up in small numbers knowing certain candidates already dropped out of the race or had no chance at winning by that point in time. However, in this year's caucus, Colorado's voice did matter and people showed up in record numbers at caucuses all over the sate.
In the Democratic race, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., won many of the smaller states, while Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., won many of the larger states. The end result is a dead heat coming out of Super Tuesday. On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pulled away from the competition.
More importantly, the youth vote mattered more than ever as young people participated in the process. Youth encouraged others to get out to caucus and started groups on their own campuses. A perfect example is the Students for Obama group that started on the University of Northern Colorado campus.
It's amazing to see the apathy disappear once people truly believe they matter in the political process. It's one thing to have celebrities and commercials tell us our vote matters, but it's another thing to know it matters because of personal experience.
Let's hope this passion carries over to the end of the 2008 year when the presidential elections are held in November and the youth vote will really be heard.
In past years, when Colorado's caucus was much later in the process, people showed up in small numbers knowing certain candidates already dropped out of the race or had no chance at winning by that point in time. However, in this year's caucus, Colorado's voice did matter and people showed up in record numbers at caucuses all over the sate.
In the Democratic race, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., won many of the smaller states, while Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., won many of the larger states. The end result is a dead heat coming out of Super Tuesday. On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pulled away from the competition.
More importantly, the youth vote mattered more than ever as young people participated in the process. Youth encouraged others to get out to caucus and started groups on their own campuses. A perfect example is the Students for Obama group that started on the University of Northern Colorado campus.
It's amazing to see the apathy disappear once people truly believe they matter in the political process. It's one thing to have celebrities and commercials tell us our vote matters, but it's another thing to know it matters because of personal experience.
Let's hope this passion carries over to the end of the 2008 year when the presidential elections are held in November and the youth vote will really be heard.
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