Metro State Votes ‘08

-- Meghan Dusek

KSTP Eyewitness News visited Metropolitan State University’s St. Paul campus on Oct. 19 to film the “Vote 2008 Townhall Meeting.” Moderated by Tom Hauser and featuring a full house of MSU students, faculty and friends, the town hall meeting allowed those in attendance to ask questions of several prominent Minnesota politicians.

The meeting was a part of the “Metro State Votes ‘08” campaign. The movement to get students to vote has included faculty “teach-ins” where professors and guests lecture on prominent issues such as healthcare, the environment and the somewhat more esoteric “apathetic electorate.” The activities have served to include students and community members in civic activity, which was in play at the town hall meeting.

Hauser opened the meeting with Dean Barkley, the Independent Senate candidate and only one to agree to appear. Barkley focused much of his answers on his 18 percent standing in the polls behind Norm Coleman (R) and Al Franken (D), but cites that he has spent only $750,000 on his campaign (versus over $30 million combined by the Franken and Coleman, one of the most expensive Senate races in history).

A member of the audience asked how Barkley will keep Minnesota interests in the forefront while in Washington, D.C. Barkley replied, “I’ve never taken one dollar from special interest groups,” citing lobbying money as the major pitfall. “There’s nothing wrong with lobbying, going to Washington with your ideas, and getting someone to listen,” Barkley continued, “It’s when they buy the influence.”

Barkley also drew parallels to Jesse Ventura, who a decade ago came from 20 percent poll ratings to win the governor’s seat.

“Polls only take into account likely voters,” Barkley explained, meaning that pollsters use lists of already registered voters as well as polling along party lines.

Since Minnesota is one of the few states that allow same-day registration for voting, surprises happen. Same-day registration is also a factor in Minnesota’s characteristically high voter turnout, with about 10 percent of voters registering in this way. This year is expected to see an exceptionally good turnout, with a presidential race, highly contested Senate race and large stakes in the House. Ventura was elected in a similar atmosphere, by unlikely voters and won over Norm Coleman and Hubert H. Humphrey.

Economic stability formed another cornerstone for Barkley throughout the questions as he strung together a platform of support for the $700 billion “rescue” (the term he prefers over “bailout”) and illustrated the far-reaching benefits of stabilizing the housing market. In a question from a young boy from Chicago, who asked about how Barkley intends to help people losing their homes in foreclosure; Barkley showed support for the bailout, already in effect, and discussed the need to stabilize the housing market which in turn will improve the total economy and increase the dollar’s value on the foreign market.

Another question on the soaring high school dropout rate among parts of the population prompted further discussion. Barkley cited a study he participated in which found that the number one factor in drop out rates was housing stability—families who are forced to move often and change schools frequently are more likely to quit school. Barkley tied this in to his overall message on economic stabilization, and made this his final point.

The town hall session took a different turn with Minnesota party chairs Craig Swaggert (I), Ron Carey (R) and Brian Melendez (D) discussing the various races in the country and their effect on the state. The discussion ranged from Minnesota as a battleground state, with both parties utilizing the Xcel Energy Center for major announcements (McCain at the Republican National Convention; Obama declaring his acceptance of the Democratic nomination and defeat of Hillary Clinton).

“Anti” versus “Pro” in regards to advertising and Americanism came up last, in regards to the seeming omnipresence of negativity on both sides but more notably from the Republican sector. Carey took the stance that it comes from all parties, and that most quotes are taken out of context (citing Michelle Bachmann’s assertion that Obama is “anti-American”); Melendez refuted that citing in return Sarah Palin’s quote on how great it is to campaign in the “pro-American” parts of the country; and Swaggert lamented the fighting between the two and turned the entire into an example of the eternal fighting between the political parties.

Next the Minnesota House Minority and Majority leaders took the stage, Marty Seifert (R) and Margaret Anderson Kelliher (D), respectively. Their focus, brought on by a question from Student Senate President Melissa Heinz, was mostly on how to create and sustain affordable higher education. Seifert discussed the higher education bill that was recently passed, which allowed for more money to be allocated for loans, work studies and other resources for students.

“We can’t have skyrocketing tuition,” Seifert closed. “The money needs to go back into the schools and to the students.”

Kelliher tied the question more in line with the future of students, and the importance of an educated workforce. “This is one of the best examples of bipartisanship working together for the greater good,” she also commented on the higher education bill.”

Within the House, 134 seats are up and the Democrats need only five more for a veto-proof majority.

The townhall meeting closed with a message from Dr. Hammersmith, who reinforced MSU’s public service involvement: “We at Metropolitan State University are devoted to active participation, and are affably engaged in getting out the vote.”