As mentioned in an earlier diary, my students have been writing about election-related topics. None of the essay prompts required revealing their political preferences, but many of them volunteered them anyway. While reading the essays, I noticed made some interesting observations -- some encouraging, some disturbing. Follow me below for a random list.
To my students, this is no longer a country for old men. They do not like McCain (preferred adjectives are "childish" and "unprofessional"), but they do not care for Biden either. One student described him as "aggressive" and "distant" while Sarah Palin was referred to as "warm" and "down to Earth." He did not pick up on Joe's emotional moment during the debate, but then again, apparently neither did Sarah Palin.
One student wrote that she wants a president who is "loved by his voters but hated by other countries." She thinks of foreigners only in terms of terrorists, enemy nations, and illegal immigrants rather than as trade partners or tourists. I suppose growing up during the Bush administration can do that to a person.
Another student wrote that she wants her president to be
just like me, so he or she is more likely to fight for my rights. Sarah Palin has a pregnant daughter, so she knows what it's like.
In San Antonio, unfortunately, getting pregnant in high school is rather common, by the way.
Likeability was high on the students' priority list. Obama was often mentioned in that context. McCain was brought up a few times as a negative example. Being "hot," on the other hand, did not factor in at all (I complimented them on that).
Every single one of my students wrote that they want their president to "know what he or she is talking about." Several essays commented on the current president's "lack of eloquence" and expressed the hope that the next one would speak more coherently. They also want a candidate/president who comes across as sincere and does not contradict him- or herself. If candidates change their opinions during a campaign, they should explain why.
I don't know how representative my students are for the state of Texas, but they do present a microcosm of their generation in San Antonio, which has overtaken Dallas as the Lone Star State's second largest city. I suggest in 2012 the Democratic candidates should campaign a little harder beyond the primaries. Anything is possible.