What Black College Papers are Saying About The Candidates

From “Obama Wins Mock Election,” by Vanessa Rozier, The Hilltop, Howard University, 2/6/08

Howard University College Democrats President Debauch Ward believes Obama is the right choice for college students
“I generally thought that the Howard University support would be with Barack Obama because I feel that he represents a lot of the ideals that we embrace here,” he said. “We live by Leadership for America and the global community, and Sen. Obama exemplifies that motto.”

…

Chigozie Onyema, a senior African studies major, supports Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio).

“Kucinich was my candidate and still is my candidate,” Onyema said. “But if I had to pick, I would certainly pick Obama before Clinton. Her stand on the war was a bit more conservative. I’m a bit more optimistic about what Obama represents because Clinton is a more polarized figure.”

From “Vote on Issues, Not Race, Gender,” by The Editorial Board, The Famuan, Florida A&M University

This year’s presidential race is sure to make history, with democratic front-runners Clinton and Obama.

We shouldn’t focus on the race or gender of the two candidates, but instead on what political issues he or she stands for.

Americans have to be educated on the political status of our country and keep abreast on which candidate could possibly best turn the nation around.

The race shouldn’t be about blacks sticking with whom they know and therefore voting for Obama. And it shouldn’t be about whites or women voting Clinton.

A different type of president will be in the White House when everything plays out, but instead decisions should be made based on issues and facts.

From “Politics Begins at Home,” by Layla Brown, Campus Echo, North Carolina Central University

Remember, our political potential is much greater than voting once every four years.

Our power is based in community activism, starting with your local and then state elections.

Those who choose to only engage in politics on a national scale, without paying attention to local issues, are simply underachievers who seldom realize their potential.

From “Why Can’t I Vote for Hillary Clinton?” by Randol G. Davis, The Maroon Tiger, Morehouse College

Why can I not say that without sparking an argument with one of my friends from Morehouse? Why is not acceptable for me, a black woman, to support the Senator from New York in her increasingly successful presidential campaign? Why does the fact that I share the same race with Barack Obama obligate me to vote for him?

…

Now, Obama often calls for change, but can he really bring true change? Male leaders tend to think of everything in terms of their ego and domination, while women think of think of things in regard to logistics. A prime example of this male personality complex is George Bush. After 9/11, he wanted to show everyone what a powerful man he was and now we’ve ended up in Iraq.

Electing Hillary Clinton, a woman, can take us away from a policy dominated by the inclination towards military action instead of diplomacy. Now, some may start yelling that Hillary helped put us in Iraq by voting for the war. If we want to be honest, Hillary likely voted for the war because she-like everyone else in the country-wrongly thought that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

Posted by Ajuan Mance