Big-name Dems speak to bipartisan crowd

Students sauntered into the lower lounge of the William Pitt Union last night for a meet and… Students sauntered into the lower lounge of the William Pitt Union last night for a meet and greet that was supposed to expose them to representatives from both sides of the political spectrum. When several politicians didn’t show, the event, which was sponsored by the College Democrats, College Republicans and the Student Vote Coalition, turned into a pseudo-rally for the Democratic Party. State Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pittsburgh, and State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, spoke with students both in small groups and in mass about topics ranging from what careers they should pursue to why they should register to vote in western Pennsylvania as opposed to in their home state, if it’s different. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Allegheny, was scheduled to appear at the meet and greet but got stuck at an event Downtown, according to representatives from both the College Republicans and the College Democrats. ‘I’m a little disappointed,’ said Lissa Geiger, president of the College Democrats. ‘I was hoping we’d have a lot of people appealing to a wider base. But [the students] learned a lot. It looks like, to me, there were a lot of really great conversations.’ At the beginning of the event, College Republicans co-vice president Joe D’Agostino said the event would be unique because students would have easy access to politicians with diverse opinions. ‘Not many people pay attention to both sides,’ said D’Agostino. ‘They kind of latch on and go with it.’ One registered Republican, freshman Bryan Marco, said he enjoyed the experience, despite not being able to chat with someone from his party. After chatting with Doyle, Marco said, ‘He was pretty good to listen to. I liked the guy. Even if he’s not in my party, he’s likeable.’ Eli Baumwell, a third-year law student, hopes to work as a political analyst and took the opportunity to ask Doyle how much interaction he would have with legislators if he did so. Doyle told Baumwell analysts play an integral role in his job. Many times, he said, legislators come in with expertise in one or two areas, but it’s hard for politicians to know the ins and outs of all the subjects on which they render decisions. So, they approach analysts because ‘you really do need to hear both sides.’ Baumwell said he appreciated the insight he got from Doyle. But it’s possible he valued the experience of talking to him even more. ‘[The politicians] really do seem to be interested in us, not just getting the party out, but getting the youth out,’ said Baumwell. ‘They’re put so high up on a pedestal. You realize they’re not just ‘talking heads.’ You realize they’re people.’ About 45 minutes into the event, each of the politicians introduced himself to the roughly 60 or 70 students who attended. Doyle told students that western Pennsylvania was going to be ‘Ground Zero’ for the presidential election. ‘There is no math that I’ve seen that [Democratic candidate] Barack Obama can be president without Pennsylvania,’ he said. ‘We can do it without Ohio. We can do it without Florida. We can’t do it without Pennsylvania.’ Frankel told students that because Pennsylvania is a swing state, Pittsburgh was one of the best places from which they could experience the upcoming election. ‘You’re here, and we’re excited about it,’ said Frankel. ‘I’ve been through two presidential cycles here at the University of Pittsburgh and ‘hellip; it’s an extraordinary experience. You’re gonna see Obama. You’re gonna see [Republican candidate] McCain.’ Costa rounded off his introduction to the group by emphasizing the importance of local and state politics. ‘What takes place at the state level reaches you and touches you,’ he said. ‘The legislative races at the state level are also important.’ Earlier in the evening, Geiger, the president of the College Democrats, was encouraging students to register to vote in Pittsburgh, as opposed to their hometown. ‘They live here nine months out of the year,’ said Geiger. ‘The issues that affect them most aren’t what affects them while they’re at home being taken care of by their parents.’