With rock band Guster headlining his political rally at University of New Hampshire, a link to an interview with MTV's Gideon Yago on his Web site, and the theme \Compact with the Next Generation,"" Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is seeking student support with a tour this week of several college campuses.
College students across the country and at UW-Madison are also working to increase student voter participation. Student participation in the November presidential election may have a large impact on both the outcome of the election and the issues on which politicians focus, student activists say.
""I think this election is really going to be decided by voters like us,"" said Ariane Strombom, coordinator for Associated Students of Madison's Vote 2004 coalition. ""There are a lot of student issues that haven't been paid attention to in the past, and now we're starting to rise up and say, 'Listen to us! We're important!'""
Kerry's focus on college students will continue throughout the campaign, according to Don Eggert, co-chair of UW-Madison Students for Kerry. President Bush may face a tougher time than Kerry in culling student votes, according to College Republicans chair Frank Harris, because college students more often tend to be liberal.
""It's going to be tough, but I believe the Bush team shouldn't give up on the college campuses, just got to attack it at a different angle,"" Harris said.
The College Republicans are one of many groups involved in the Vote 2004 coalition. Harris said the group has previously shied away from such projects because of a ""misconception that it tends to be liberal,"" but that it is important for the College Republicans to be involved so the coalition can maintain a nonpartisan atmosphere.
Ryan Grady, chair of UW-Madison College Democrats, also said he thinks students are more likely to vote for Kerry. He predicted an improved student voter turnout.
""This is a very important election,"" Grady said. ""I think students realize that. I think they realize that their vote counts, too.""
UW-Madison political science Professor Virginia Sapiro said one reason students are less likely to vote than older people is because they have not yet developed the habit.
Though campaigns aimed at students have potential, student involvement in the campaigns is crucial, Sapiro said.
""They really have to get good organizations on campus because students do the best job of recruiting each other,"" she said.
