By Sondra Rodriguez, Student Reporter
Casey Monsees knows every election makes history. She knows the impact of this year’s votes and the history that will be made on Election Day, and it is making her nervous.
“This election affects the rest of the world, whether we want to admit that or not – it does,” said Monsees, junior history major from Denver. “This is huge,” she said. “I’m trying not to let it affect who I vote for.”
For the first time, staff and students across campus must consider the effects of race and gender in a presidential election and decide whether a political minority on the ticket is enough to sway their votes.
Some students say gender will have a greater influence on voters than race. Daniel Burgner, junior political science major from Yorbalinda, Calif., said when it comes to race and gender in the election, he has noticed more emphasis on Sarah Palin’s candidacy as a female vice presidential nominee than Barack Obama’s candidacy as potentially the first black president.
“I think people are overlooking the fact that Obama is African-American but I’m not positive that they’re overlooking the fact that Palin is female,” he said.
Still others in the country say race will be the deciding factor in the election. Kathleen Sebelius, governor of Kansas, told a Wichita, Kan., television station that the reason the election is close is primarily because of Barack Obama’s race.
“Have any of you noticed that Barack Obama is part African- American?” Sebelius told the station. “I think that is for a number of people difficult. I think we need to talk about the fact that that is a real issue.”
In reply to Sebelius’ remark, a response was given to the station, saying there is no denying the fact that race is playing a large part in the election and will continue to do so until Election Day.
Instead of believing one factor will dominate the other, some say the influence of race and gender on voters is inevitable.
Monsees said both race and gender have affected the election significantly.
“They have affected the election in a huge way,” she said. “I think that it’s not so much about the topics or places where the candidates stand; it’s almost just about the race and gender.”
Dr. David Dillman, professor of political science, also said both factors play a role, and voters definitely will consider them alongside the candidate’s policy issues.
“There’ll be some people who will not vote for Obama because he’s black, but people are not so forthcoming to say, ‘I’m not voting for him because he’s black.’ Most people will say, ‘I wouldn’t vote for him anyway’,” he said. “Sometimes it’s true, sometimes it’s not.”
Regarding gender, Dillman said the fact Palin is a female has generated a great deal of enthusiasm that would not have been there otherwise.
“There probably wouldn’t be if he had chosen a conservative Baptist preacher,” he said.
Anna Peters, senior ministry to children and families and elementary education major from Houston, is a black woman and said she feels pressure to vote on the basis of race over gender.
“Loyalty-wise, people would expect me to vote for Obama because of my race,” she said. “But that makes me want to do more research and look deeper at each candidate.”
Peters said she expects the public to ignore political factors during the voting process.
“Everyone is talking about experience, but in the end, it will be based on race and gender,” she said. “When they go to the voting booths, it’s what their decision will be based on.”
Regardless of which factor will weigh heavier come Nov. 4, both have and will continue to affect which candidate voters choose to support.
“Both race and gender will make a difference,” Dillman said. “They’ve always made a difference in American politics and probably will continue to make a difference in American politics.”
Monsees said she was told about the global effects of this election by a 35-year-old Irishman in a pub in Sixmile Bridge, Ireland. He also told her Americans do not realize the importance of it and he wished he could vote. She is keeping this in mind as a reminder of the importance of her vote as Election Day approaches.
“When I walk into the booth, I’m going to be really nervous,” she said. “But I think that America is ready for change, and we’re excited about the fact that we’re about to have a huge amount of it.
