JagBytes

Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: College News

Media Credit: Denis Jimenez Chelsea Clinton speaks to students at the Campus Center.

The arrival of Chelsea Clinton on campus March 25 drew a huge crowd, but left many students discussing the importance of her campaign stop.

Though many appreciated Clinton's visit, some voiced concern that they would rather have seen one of the actual candidates instead.

Clinton spoke at IUPUI's Campus Center as part of a nation-wide college campaigning tour for her mother Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Accompanying Clinton was actor Sean Astin who starred in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Some students feel that seeing one of the candidates themselves would have been better than a family member in the company of a celebrity actor.

IUPUI student Amy Gettys is one of those students who believe that having an actual candidate on campus would have made more sense. "I think it is great she came," Gettys said. "But I would definitely rather see her mother or Obama."

Other students echo Gettys' sentiment. Even though Doug Taylor, an accounting major, would have rather seen one of the candidates speaking at the Campus Center, he appreciated that Clinton came to speak.

"I think it is great that she came," Taylor said. "It's good that there are others at least making an attempt to campaign on behalf of the candidates. At least there is someone out there speaking."

Other students, however, were not entirely impressed with Clinton's arrival. One student, who chose to speak on condition of anonymity, made it clear that she made no effort to go see Clinton's speech on Tuesday.

"I really couldn't care less that she came," the student said. "I don't like any of them. I will probably vote for McCain anyway."

Overall, the general reaction to Clinton's campaigning was positive. IUPUI student

Nichol Kirby firmly believes that Clinton's appearance made a big impression on the students and, if anything, made the students feel involved in the election.

According to Kirby, the idea of being included in the political process during one of the most important elections in history, is meaningful.

"I didn't go see her," said Kirby. "But I think that [her appearance] may make students feel more connected to both [Clinton] and her mother. And the students probably feel more involved and connected to this election."

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