When I think back two years ago, I remember a UW-Madison campus completely transformed. Fall semester 2008 was election time, and even at a school known historically for its noisy political culture, those were loud days.
It wasn't just the College Democrats and College Republicans on Library Mall who were heavily invested in the campaign season, it was each and every student on campus. I couldn't go a whole day without talking about the presidency to friends or slapping a new campaign sticker on my laptop. Politics were popular, knowledge was power and it was expected that voters were active and informed, no matter their age.
When the Democratic presidential frontrunner, Barack Obama, came to the Kohl Center in 2008 there was a buzz in the air. Students were excited to see the tangible representation of change for their government and for their futures. We lined up to hear more than a speech; we lined up to hear why—as students—we were valuable. Regardless of party affiliation, we were lost in the moment.
Obama was everything past presidents weren't: Young, black and understanding. Unlike leaders before him, he didn't discount the under-25 demographic—he banked on it. With one simple visit, President Obama inspired the youth of Wisconsin, normally regarded as inaccessible and undependable, to fulfill their civic duty and hit the polls on election day.
And 2008 was a historic year for the young voters of America. Almost three-fourths of 18 to 29-year-olds voted, simultaneously showing their new zeal for civic duty and their clout.
But in the years since, the shift from engagement to apathy has been more than noticeable, if not sad. It seems like young people, especially students, are either unaware or just don't care about changes they feel don't affect them on a daily basis. The buzz is gone—not because nothing is happening, but because we're sick of paying attention.
We're happy occasionally talking about oil spills and wars while letting the rest of policy and process fall on deaf ears. But I like to think it's not our fault, at least not entirely. The partisan divide in Congress is at an all-time high. And like many of the officials that represent us, it's getting old.
Lately, elected officials vote the party line regardless of personal beliefs or responsibility to constituents. Ancient policies like ""Don't ask, Don't tell"" that appear to college kids as slam-dunks for repeal fall short because of gridlock, because it's too close to election time and because politicians are more afraid of stepping on the toes of party big shots than the people they represent.
I understand why students are frustrated. A sense of helplessness reminiscent of the years before 2008 is slowly taking over again. But the fact of the matter is this: We are not powerless, we are not incapable of enacting change, we do not need to stand idly by as the powers that be shape the rest of our lives.
With that said, you don't have to be a political science professor to see why President Obama is coming to Library Mall today. The latest polls aren't favorable for many Democratic candidates across the nation, including states like Wisconsin where President Obama performed so well in 2008. In the Senate race, incumbent Russ Feingold is trailing political newcomer Ron Johnson by double-digits, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has his hands full with Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in the fight for the governor's office.
Faced with nationwide anti-incumbent sentiment and growing Republican enthusiasm, President Obama is hoping to activate the same demographic he did back in 2008: The youth. He's here to flip the ""on"" switch for students, young people and the otherwise uninterested.
The President thinks he can just show up and we'll vote like we did in 2008, that he can bring the buzz back to Madison, and we'll disregard our frustrations with partisan gridlock and be inspired to once again engage full force in our civic duties. And I think he's exactly right.
There's too much at stake not to vote. Expiring Bush-era tax cuts are once again on the agenda. ""Don't ask, Don't tell"" is still a reality. Republicans are threatening to pull back on health-care reform, along with federal investments in infrastructure.
We all know why President Obama is in Madison today. His motives are obvious. But that shouldn't detract from the message, from the inspiration, from the buzz. Take his speech for what it's worth, but don't be afraid to get swept up in the moment.
Dan Tollefson is a senior majoring in English. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
