Spring Break
What the other half still wants from Obama
Abigael Thienel
Issue date: 2/4/09 Section: Focus
As Barack Obama is welcomed as the 44th president of the United States, this time of transition brings with it apprehension, as well as hope, for the next step of our nation. This job will prove to be a challenging one for Obama. Reform is promised to be on its way in dealing with the current state of our economy, the ongoing wars in both Iraq and Afganistan, our taxation policies and our environmental policy, to name a few issues. Although the voice of Republican candidate John McCain has been suppressed, those students on the university campus who voted for McCain in the 2008 presidential election still have much to say about what they would like to see Obama accomplish.
Supporters of Republican nominee John McCain are particularly uneasy about the war in Iraq. This war, declared in 2003, has been an important issue throughout both Democratic and Republican campaigns.
Abbey Palmer, a 4th-semester biology major, wishes for America to, "peacefully get out of Iraq. The only reason Bush declared war was to keep us safe after the attack on Sept. 11. Even if a Democrat was is office, there would still be war." Palmer also believes that, "it is more threatening if Obama just took us out without a plan."
Mike Goodfriend, 4th-semester political science major, sees the plan to pull out of Iraq as submissive gesture on the part of America. "We should at least keep troops in Iraq," he said. "If we withdraw too soon we won't finish why we went. This is a sign of weakness and there is no need for more signs of weakness."
There are many different views on the war in Iraq and each person has their own concerns, be they centered on the troops, our country, or Iraq itself.
Kaylee Byram, a 6th-semester English major, sees the decisions that concern the war and how they would affect American troops overseas.
"As for the troops, I hope he [Obama] treats them right. Like give supplies so they can defend themselves and I want him to protect them. I hope he does a good job and I wish him the best." The decisions of President Obama regarding the war in Iraq are still hotly contested; we will have to wait and see how debate turns out.
Supporters of Republican nominee John McCain are particularly uneasy about the war in Iraq. This war, declared in 2003, has been an important issue throughout both Democratic and Republican campaigns.
Abbey Palmer, a 4th-semester biology major, wishes for America to, "peacefully get out of Iraq. The only reason Bush declared war was to keep us safe after the attack on Sept. 11. Even if a Democrat was is office, there would still be war." Palmer also believes that, "it is more threatening if Obama just took us out without a plan."
Mike Goodfriend, 4th-semester political science major, sees the plan to pull out of Iraq as submissive gesture on the part of America. "We should at least keep troops in Iraq," he said. "If we withdraw too soon we won't finish why we went. This is a sign of weakness and there is no need for more signs of weakness."
There are many different views on the war in Iraq and each person has their own concerns, be they centered on the troops, our country, or Iraq itself.
Kaylee Byram, a 6th-semester English major, sees the decisions that concern the war and how they would affect American troops overseas.
"As for the troops, I hope he [Obama] treats them right. Like give supplies so they can defend themselves and I want him to protect them. I hope he does a good job and I wish him the best." The decisions of President Obama regarding the war in Iraq are still hotly contested; we will have to wait and see how debate turns out.
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