Members of the Binghamton University College Democrats and Republicans made get-out-the-vote trips to swing state Pennsylvania and attended local political rallies over the weekend in preparation for today’s election.
U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) spoke at a 25-minute rally in front of the New University Union yesterday afternoon alongside several other Democrats up for re-election, including New York State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala.
“It’s important to focus all our attention on how significant this day is,” Hinchey said. “And why is that? Because the outcome tomorrow is going to determine the quality of our lives over the next four years.”
Nearby in Endicott, Johnson City-native and Hinchey’s Republican opponent George Phillips spoke to supporters outside the IBM plant.
“I worked here for IBM when I was in college, and I know how integral it’s been to the community,” said Phillips, according to his Web site. “The nation is burdened by a $ 10 trillion national debt that’s growing faster than ever.”
Amidst chants for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on campus, rally speakers, including city of Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan, spoke of the importance of not only the national election, but the local races as well.
“The BU community, especially to these local races, makes all the difference,” said Brian Young, president of BU College Democrats, which hosted the event.
“Barack Obama will bring real transformation to this nation,” Ryan said. “It’s about time that we’ll have a president who has the intellect and the will to bring this great country forward.”
Around 75 people attended the rally.
Over the weekend, supporters of both parties took advantage of Binghamton’s proximity to Pennsylvania, going door-to-door in an effort to increase voter turnout.
John Jensen, executive chairman of Binghamton’s College Republicans, went as part of a group of six students on Sunday to a rally for John McCain in Scranton, Pa., where the Republican presidential candidate spoke. Pennsylvania is considered a battleground state and a must-win for McCain’s camp.
“A lot of people in the Southern Tier have ties to people in northern Pennsylvania,” Jensen said. “It’s a very common climate … very industrial, and both areas have gone into a state of economic decline.”
Young said a total of 27 BU College Democrats will have traveled to Pennsylvania from Friday through today, and that he plans to spend today in Scranton. According to Dan Levin, a BU student and the president of New York State College Democrats, the group has helped send over 500 students to nearby states as a part of a grassroots campaign.
Jensen said Republican supporters remain optimistic, despite a majority of polls showing Obama as the favorite.
“A lot of the polls are weighted heavily toward the Democrats,” Jensen said. “We’re optimistic. We realize it’s an uphill battle, but we really feel like we have a chance. I’ve never seen that many supporters in my life than at that McCain rally in Scranton.”