Local GOP likes ticket; students favor Obama

WILKES-BARRE – While students at King’s College Thursday night prepared to watch Sen. John McCain deliver his acceptance speech, a group of Republicans were gathering a few blocks away.

Nearly all of the King’s students at the Brooks TV Lounge in the basement of the campus student center said they were supporting Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama but wanted to hear what McCain had to say.

Across town at the Luzerne County Republican Party headquarters on Public Square, there was no doubt who their candidate of choice is. Sandra Kase, acting director of the office, said the McCain-Palin bumper stickers and signs are going fast. She said the GOP ticket has energized the party – especially here in Northeast Pennsylvania.

“The energy generated from the announcement last week that Gov. Palin would be the vice presidential candidate has been unbelievable,” Kase said.

“The number of people coming through our doors has been extraordinary,” she said.

Drew McLaughlin, 21, a senior professional writing major at King’s, is a registered Democrat from Philadelphia. He said he wanted to “give a listen” to the other side.

“I support Obama because I think his view of government can improve the lives of American citizens,” McLaughlin said. “He wants to get out of Iraq quickly and with honor, he favors universal health care and he supports Social Security. I think he will help stimulate the economy.”

McLaughlin said adding Palin to the GOP ticket won’t help much. He said the Alaska governor won’t attract many Hillary Clinton supporters due to the wide gap in political philosophies.

“She is a gifted speaker,” McLaughlin said. “But as far as her experience, Sen. Obama has two years of executive experience in running his campaign. I think the presidency is more about judgment than experience.”

McLaughlin thinks Obama can win the region and the state; therefore he can win the election.

“I know this area is often the butt of jokes,” McLaughlin said. “But right now we are at the heart of this election, not just in Pennsylvania, but the nation.”

Beth Admiraal, Ph.D., professor of political science at King’s, and Robin Field, Ph.D., English professor, helped organize the speech-watch at King’s.

“We want to get the students involved in the process, to listen to all sides and to learn,” Admiraal said.

She said Palin exhibited “a lot of pep,” but called her selection as running mate “risky.”

“She’s not ready,” Admiraal said. “She’s more conservative than McCain. She won’t attract many Clinton supporters.”

Field called the presidential race “historical” because it features the first African-American as a presidential candidate and a woman as a vice-presidential candidate.

“When you see photos of the candidates, I think it underscores the historical nature of this election,” Field said.

Ann Kaluzavich, 21, of Pittston, is a senior English major supporting Obama. She said Palin’s selection caught her off guard.

“I think she’s an okay choice,” she said. “But he could have done better by selecting Gov. Tom Ridge or Gov. Tim Pawlenty.”

Republican congressional candidates Lou Barletta (11th District) and Chris Hackett (10th District) were at the Republican headquarters to thank volunteers and supporters for their hard work.

Barletta will open his Wilkes-Barre campaign headquarters Monday at 5:30 p.m. The office is at 17 E. Market St. Barletta said he liked the selection of Palin and he believes Northeastern Pennsylvania will help the GOP win Pennsylvania and the nation.

“The hard-working people of this area will come out to support the Republican candidates,” Barletta said.

Hackett said he has yet to meet anyone opposed to the Palin nomination. He said he is confident the voters want reform in Washington.