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Aggies celebrate election night by the hundreds

By Benjamin Wood

Students in the TSC Ballroom cheered at 9 p.m. Tuesday as CNN projected Barack Obama as winner of the 2008 Presidential Election. Hundreds of Aggies gathered to witness the historic election as part of a ASUSU sponsored activity.

“I’m amazed at the turnout. We expected 250-300,” Jackson Olsen, ASUSU executive vice president said. “Over 1,000 students have come so far and the night is still very young.”

In addition to the live results coverage, the results party included food and drinks, ping-pong and Rock Band tournaments, political bingo, a hot dog eating contest, and ASUSU’s trademark coloring-covered tables and board games. Bill Sproat won the hot dog eating contest with a number of 7, followed closely by Noah Mataele with 6.

At 9:57 the crowd again broke into applause as President-elect Obama began his address to the nation. In his speech he spoke of unifying the country, saying it is more than a collection of red and blue states.

“We are and always will be the United States of America,” Obama said.

Students’ reactions varied somewhat, however. With many of those present expressing concern over the upcoming presidential term.

“I am a little nervous. I think Obama’s ideas are a little out there. I don’t agree with him but it’s what’s happening,” junior Chelsee Brown said.

Natalie Hughes, a USU sophomore, also said that she felt nervous, but also excited and hopeful for the change that Obama spoke of during his campaign. Other students were not as hopeful, like Alexis Pearce who jokingly said she would be moving to Canada in the event of an Obama win.

The majority of the students present, however, were thrilled by Tuesday night’s outcome. Cheers and applause were heard at every Democratic state win, as well as loud booing when Utah’s Republican vote was shown onscreen.

“I think it’s something that will define history and am confident it will help the country on domestic and foreign fronts,” senior Corey Clawson said on Obama’s win.

“I think it’s a change of pace the country needs,” said Matthew Fornoff, USU graduate.

The results party was the culminating event of many campus activities intended to raise awareness of this year’s election. In the past months USU has seen record-breaking voter registration in the TSC, student political debates and watch parties for both the presidential and vice-presidential debates, Jackson said.

“I’m amazed and encouraged that so many students cared about this election,” Jackson said. “We registered 5,000 people in six weeks on campus.”

Campus groups likes the College Republicans and Democrats also contributed to the increased participation of students in this year’s election, adding their support to the campus activities and organizing their own.

“The College Republicans and Democrats have helped a lot, together we’ve made a huge difference,” Jackson said.

–b.c.wood@aggiemail.usu.edu