University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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Left: Sen. John Kerry, left and President Bush greet the audience before the final presiden- tial debate in Tempe, Ariz., on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. Below: Students line up to register to vote outside of the ASUA office in the Student Union Memorial Center prior to the election. Aickai Ik 1 26

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by Lauren Miller t was called the election of a lifetime, and University of Arizona students made sure that they were part of his- tory. In one of the most heated presidential elections, incumbent president and Repub- lican candidate George W. Bush squared off against Massachusetts senator and Democrat John Kerry in a battle that even speculators could not call until all the votes were cast. The 2004 presidential debates became the hot topic in the media and on campus in the fall as debate raged over the candidates and the parties behind them. As election night drew to a close, eyes turned to the swing states, such as Florida, Oregon, even Arizona. However, Ohio was in the spotlight, as its 20 electoral votes became the deciding push for whoever would complete the road to the white house. Concerns over the recount fiasco of the 2000 Bush versus Gore election raced around the internet and the media. The morning follow- ing the election dawned with uncertainty. Bush had the lead in the popular vote, but both candidates were waiting for tie-break- ing Ohio to add in its electoral votes. The nation held its breath while the votes were tallied. Bush finally walked away with the vic- tory and 286 electoral votes. Kerry conceded on Nov. 4, thanking voters and family and congratulating Bush. In the days ahead, we must find com- mon cause, Kerry said m his morning con- cession speech. We must join in common effort, without remorse or recrimination, without anger or rancor. America is in need of unity and longing for a larger measure of compassion. The final popular vote stood at 59,459,765 for Bush and 55,949,407 for Kerry. It was the highest election turn out in 36 years. However, what made this election memorable was not so much the outcome than the political division that told hold of the country. Social issues, the War on Iraq and deep emotions about the Bush presiden- cy sent the country into a flurry of contro- versy and commentary. Lines were drawn in the sand, in communities, in schools, even across dinner tables. Even at the UA, where red and blue w — bound by tradition, students were choosin sides and the Arizona heat was nothing com- pared to the sizzle of partisan politics Yet most visible on campus was the pi to get students to vote, regardless of politi affiliation. Voter registration drives spon- ■ sored by ASUA popped up as early as mc in day in August and the booths of other g out the vote groups peppered campus until the sun set on election day in November. Groups such as Rock the Vote, Moveon.org and Declare Yourself targeted college students, a lucrative age group noto- rious for voter apathy. Some combined cre- ative campaigning to get their point across. such as the internet group Voteorgasm, where people pledged to sleep with another voter following Election Day and refrain from those who refrained from voting. Oth- ers boasted celebrities who could not resist throwing their hats in the ring. Entertainer R Diddy ' s Vote or Die campaign became a favorite punch line, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Alicia Keys, even rapper Eminem called out to vote on Nov. 2 In the end, it was proven that college voters responded, as an estimated 5 1 % of 1 8 to 24 year-olds cast their ballots, over the 42% that turned out for the 2000 presidential election. It was not the revolutionary turnout that both sides had hoped for but for UA stu- dents, red and blue took on a new meaning.