only search Polytics

  • A random sample of Cal Poly students reveals that the majority of students are not politically engaged

  • Professors, club presidents, and other students weigh in on why it's important to follow the 2012 elections

  • A clear, simple breakdown of the candidates and the process


The past year has presented major political movements: Prop 19, Occupy protests, and SOPA/PIPA have captured the nation’s attention – specifically among college students. Freedoms and values threatened, this country has seen endless petitions and protests, many of which led by students and young adults.

That said, there is still an apparent indifference in regards to the 2012 Presidential elections on the Cal Poly campus. When surveyed, less than half of sampled Cal Poly students could name two of the current GOP candidates. One female student said, “I don’t know, and I don’t care to know.”

But the data suggests an underlying, widely accepted reason that students aren’t following politics closely: it’s too complicated. Lauren Rubcic, a Cal Poly journalism major, said, “ I don't follow politics because it is way too complicated and confusing.” Caucuses and primaries and candidates and the Electoral College are all big words that typically imply a confusing process, so students tune out. Polytics can help Cal Poly students tune back in and become well-educated, informed voters.

Why Does it Matter?

Cal Poly students have the power and the tools to make a change in this country; it’s just a matter of incentives. Cal Poly College Republicans Club President Brendan Pringle said, “Politics are important for students because students are the worst off in this economy. Student loans make this only worse.”  In just one month Cal Poly students will vote on a fee increase that will raise tuition nearly $1000, an issue that is hardly discussed on campus.

Dr. Michael Latner, a Cal Poly Political Science professor said, “It is important for students to be politically engaged, if they want to have a say in the policies that affect their lives.” While Rubcic said, “I'm one of those people who doesn't have a strong opinion about things that affect other people in the first place.” Students are quick to assume that politics are boring or don’t matter, but as Pringle and Latner have pointed out, these issues have an immediate and significant affect on our lives. That said, the U.S. Census results show that only 42% of college-aged students voted in the 2004 elections.

What You Already Know

A random sample of Cal Poly students revealed that only about 53% of students knew the Vice President by name, and 0% of those surveyed could name the Speaker of the House. In response to those figures, Dr. Latner said, “There are a lot of things that are more important than knowing who the Speaker of the House is, for example, if you want to effectively participate in politics.”

As mentioned earlier, less than half of students surveyed could name two current GOP candidates running for president. Rubcic said, “I am not following, nor interested in the 2012 elections. I wish I had the time to find out who is even running. But unfortunately I have no clue, and I certainly have more important things to do (like homework) than try to learn about each candidate.” Polytics will provide a fast, simplified guide to understanding the presidential elections.

What You Need to Know

There are currently four republican candidates in the race to become the President of the United States. The terms “republican” and “GOP” (which stands for Grand Old Party) may be used interchangeably. We’ll break down the basics:

Republicans are conservative in their beliefs and policies. They favor less government intervention and are considered “right” on the political spectrum. Examples of past republican presidents include Abraham Lincoln (considered the “first republican”), Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush.

Democrats are more progressive and socially liberal, and favor more government intervention. They are considered “left” on the political spectrum. Examples of democrat presidents include Andrew Jackson (considered the “first democrat”), Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

The four GOP candidates still in the race are Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich. While Romney has been the frontrunner for the majority of the race, some people question his lasting power. “I think the ‘dream team’ would be Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul. College students love Ron Paul, and Gingrich has got the ‘conservative’ vote. It would be the best of both worlds,” said Pringle. Meanwhile, Latner said, “If Romney is the 2012 Republican nominee, we will probably have a close contest that depends as much on conditions in the European and the U.S. economy as it does on the qualifications of the candidates.”

Latner added, “This is one of the most important presidential elections for young people in several generations.  It is building up to be a contest over fundamental questions about government regulation and the type of capitalism we want to have as Americans.  Surely this is one election to be engaged in.”

This preliminary breakdown can be used as a reference guide for the 2012 elections, along with a timeline that is soon-to-come and will simplify the caucuses and primaries.