While many students already know which candidate they are going to vote for, frequently their chosen 2008 presidential candidate may not reflect all of their beliefs.
With so many policy issues and only two candidates to represent the voters, students are finding that some beliefs may have to be sacrificed.
Students said that issues like the economy, the Iraq War and same-sex marriage influenced their decisions. However, with the variety of issues out there, it is often difficult to make the choice.
“We have only two major parties viable for the presidency. These two have to encompass many people,” said Mark Peterson, professor of public policy and political science.
With the population of the United States exceeding 300 million, it is plausible that two points of view cannot account for all of the views out there.
Some students said they are voting for a candidate that closely approximates their points of view.
“I’m voting for my party’s values, I hope people are doing the same thing,” said Daisy Cheng, a third-year anthropology student.
Carolyn Wang, a third-year English student, said she disagrees with some of her party’s ideologies but never enough to vote for the opposing party.
Some students believe that parties are willing to leave some voters behind if it means garnering larger overall support.
“If the overall party is in favor of an ideology, if some (voters) are disagreeing with it, they are willing to overlook it as long as the whole party is in line with their values,” said Kelly Cook, a third-year political science student.
Different degrees of liberal or conservative stances create lots of room for disagreement and a plethora of political possibilities in the multi-dimensional politics of the U.S., Peterson said.
The first political dimension is the fiscal one, Peterson added. Republicans and Libertarians generally believe that government should interfere very little in the processes of the markets while Democrats feel that it is the government’s duty to provide for its constituents.
Then there is the second: the moral and social dimension of politics, which accounts for “how people believe government should act in asserting morality,” Peterson said.
But even under the umbrella of the same major party, there can be differences in people’s beliefs on these issues.
“Republican evangelicals on the right vote “˜no’ on abortion and gay marriage and want to bring those values into government. In the same party, you have Libertarians who think marijuana should be legal (and believe in minimal government interference),” Peterson said.
The ways in which people choose which major issue will carry their vote “varies a lot from election to election, and from individual to individual,” Peterson said.
Students cited issues as diverse as the economy to gay rights in their decisions as to who gets their vote.
“I’m going to vote for Obama. I believe his economic policies are much better,” said Riki Ranat, a first-year undeclared student. “His strategies about Iraq I disagree with, but I think the economy is a more pressing issue,” he added.
Some said that in this election, more so than any other, they have had to make concessions with some of their beliefs.
“Both candidates are against gay marriage. If both are against it and I were to vote, it would be a compromise,” Cook said.
“When choosing between McCain and Obama on gay marriage, neither was totally for it. That’s all (McCain and Obama) can do?” Wang said.
Though these issues seem important to students, when push comes to shove, the larger population that is affected by the economic crisis may vote for the candidate that promises a brighter economic future.
“(A voter may think), “˜I don’t like their position on guns and abortion, but I need to be able to feed my family,'” said Peterson.
However, as much disagreement with the candidates voters may face, voting is still important to students.
“I still plan on voting. There are always going to be things you’re going to disagree with,” Cook said.