Ches McDowell (’11), chairman, NC State College Republicans

It’s a great honor. I’ve got to meet tons of great people and get really involved in the political process, while helping others do the same thing. It’s a real honor to be the chair of a club at the biggest university in the state.

 

Eli Harman (’09): Secretary, NC State College Libertarians

On one hand, it’s kind of frustrating. We wish we didn’t have to explain all of this to people – we think a lot of what we propose is common sense and comes down to basic ethical conduct, so we’re kind of exasperated that it has to be explained to people – and even more exasperated that very few people seem to agree with us. On the other hand, it’s nice to be out there and show people that there is an alternative to the same old business-as-usual stuff, to put our message out there and to let people know there are more than two points of view on the issues. It’s great to be involved with that.

 

Brett Little (’09): Students for Barack Obama

I probably won’t be able to appreciate all of this for 10 or 20 years down the road. I think students who do get involved in groups like these will be able to look back and say, “Wow, I made a difference in this election,” and recall how they helped so many people register to vote and get involved in the process. That means more people get informed, which means that they are more educated about state and federal government. I think that in that sense, the contribution is invaluable because you will carry that with you your whole life. We’ll be able to tell our kids, our friends and our families about this and be proud of it. It means that students are standing up, it means that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. This is a chance to be a part of something bigger than our personal, everyday lives, and that’s one thing I think most people haven’t realized, but thankfully, more are each day since this has become such a big election.

 

Dr. Andrew J. Taylor, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at NC State University

Editor’s note: Dr. Taylor serves as the advisor for NC State’s College Republicans.

These organizations are the students’ organizations – they do all the work, they make the important decisions and they run their groups. The leaders and the officers of each student-party organization on campus do a superb job. They are smart, hard-working, committed individuals, and my role as a faculty advisor is certainly that, but really one who advises only when asked.

In the classroom of course, that’s where I really can use this stuff and interject it into class. I’m teaching a PS 301 class (President and Congress) for distance education this semester and it’s a great time to be teaching it. Interest levels are elevated and I’ve seen that even when I am teaching classes less-connected to the general election, there are a number of wonderful, teachable moments, not in the least because people are really motivated to follow it and engage with the subject matter.

 

NC State Presidential Experts

North Carolina State University experts can provide clear insights into the pending general election and a host of key issues that will face the presidential contenders.