2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: News
Political speakers posing a challenge
Student groups hope for a candidate visit before Pa. primary
Colin Kavanaugh
With no end in sight, it is likely the remaining Democractic presidential candidates will descend upon Pennsylvania before the April 22 primary.
However, despite the state's potential role in deciding the nominee, the likelihood of campaign rallies and speeches at Penn remains in doubt.
When Arizona Sen. John McCain spoke at Penn last November, finding a suitable venue on campus without the University's help was a huge challenge, said College senior Abby Huntsman, chairwoman of the College Republicans.
When the event was moved from Huntsman Hall to Zellerbach Theater for its increased capacity, the McCain campaign and the College Republicans became responsible for Zellerbach's $10,000 cover charge.
"We had zero help from the administration because it was a one-sided [political] event," Huntsman said. "We don't get any funding from the University to help host those events."
Matt Waller, the spokesman for office of the Vice Provost for University Life and the liaison between student groups and the administration in coordinating political speakers, could not be reached for comment.
Candidates often utilize universities to stage campaign rallies, and this year has been no different.
"Colleges are almost the perfect setting to convey energy and excitement" during a political rally, said Randall Miller, political analyst and St. Joseph's University professor. "The venues are usually easy and available and provide for good publicity."
This unexpected attention and expectation has left student groups scrambling to find ways to bring candidates to Penn.
Penn for Obama and Penn for Hillary are two such groups.
"We tried getting Obama here before the Drexel debate, but the specifics were never hammered out," said College junior Jon Kole, co-founder of Penn Students for Barack Obama.
College freshman Patrick Bauer, the Penn for Hillary communications director, said a visit from the New York Senator would have similar obstacles to overcome.
However, despite the state's potential role in deciding the nominee, the likelihood of campaign rallies and speeches at Penn remains in doubt.
When Arizona Sen. John McCain spoke at Penn last November, finding a suitable venue on campus without the University's help was a huge challenge, said College senior Abby Huntsman, chairwoman of the College Republicans.
When the event was moved from Huntsman Hall to Zellerbach Theater for its increased capacity, the McCain campaign and the College Republicans became responsible for Zellerbach's $10,000 cover charge.
"We had zero help from the administration because it was a one-sided [political] event," Huntsman said. "We don't get any funding from the University to help host those events."
Matt Waller, the spokesman for office of the Vice Provost for University Life and the liaison between student groups and the administration in coordinating political speakers, could not be reached for comment.
Candidates often utilize universities to stage campaign rallies, and this year has been no different.
"Colleges are almost the perfect setting to convey energy and excitement" during a political rally, said Randall Miller, political analyst and St. Joseph's University professor. "The venues are usually easy and available and provide for good publicity."
This unexpected attention and expectation has left student groups scrambling to find ways to bring candidates to Penn.
Penn for Obama and Penn for Hillary are two such groups.
"We tried getting Obama here before the Drexel debate, but the specifics were never hammered out," said College junior Jon Kole, co-founder of Penn Students for Barack Obama.
College freshman Patrick Bauer, the Penn for Hillary communications director, said a visit from the New York Senator would have similar obstacles to overcome.
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