â??We need diversity in the office and thereâ??s no better time than now.â?

At 5, we believe our parents when they say “you can be anything.” Unfortunately, it is because we didn“t know better.

We had yet to learn about discrimination. We had yet to learn that we would be paid less because we are women, stereotyped because we are a minority or denied a marriage because of our sexual orientation.

Two individuals are attempting to rise up against the system, and change the white, male face that the White House has presented for 230 years: Hillary Clinton, wife of former President Bill Clinton and one of New York“s senators; and Barack Obama, a black senator from Illinois. Both are attempting to make it on the Democratic ticket for the 2008 presidential elections.

Despite their platforms and issues, the buzz on campus has been raging just over the fact that a woman or a minority could be our next president.

“I think it“s time for a change,” said University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee junior Hillary Gelden. “We sit here and we have these aristocratic white men and they“re trying to dominate the other half of the population [women]. She [Hillary] is caring and nurturing. She wouldn“t send these kids overseas to get bombed.”

Not everyone is ecstatic over Clinton“s announcement, however.

“I won“t vote for Hillary Clinton,” said Megan Geary, a UWM senior. “I don“t agree with how she handled the intern issue [with Monica Lewinski]. She didn“t stand up for herself, how is she going to stand up for the country?”

Regardless of campus public opinion, Clinton is leading the polls according to the American Research Group. In Wisconsin, she leads with 28 percent* with Russ Feingold at 23 percent* (Obama isn“t listed). Our southern neighbor Iowa also sees Clinton in the lead with 31 percent and Obama at 10 percent.

But where do the candidates stand?

Obama is against the Bush Administration concerning the war in Iraq. In 2002, before he was elected to the senate, Obama said in a speech that the war would "require a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undermined cost, with undetermined consequences."

Obama also “believes firmly that health care should be a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few.”

One of Clinton“s main concerns is the shrinking middle class.

"What has made America unique and so successful is the way we have invested in, and created, the vast American middle class, to which people aspired and from which people sprang,” said Clinton. “And that is what's at risk today."

Demond Stewart, a UWM Gear-Up adviser, thinks it is time for a change whether we elect Obama or Clinton, he said.

“At this day and age they have one,” said Stewart, when asked if he thought either of the candidates had a chance. “We need diversity in the office and there“s no better time than now.”

But the big question is, if so many people weren“t dissatisfied with the Bush Administration, would we be considering such a drastic change in office?

Gelden attempts to answer that question in terms of women“s rights and upholding the middle-class.

“Hillary is fighting for what Bush won“t fight for (in terms of women“s rights and upholding the middle class).”

“She“s tough enough to face men,” said Brenton Gospodarek. “She“s smart and already has the respect. I support both of them.”

The election may be over a year away, but history is already in the making.

*denotes a +/- 3% margin of error

Source:

www.votehillary.org

www.obama.senate.gov

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