Classroom Publication

ALBANY - College Democrats roamed the SUNY Albany campus for months leading up to the fourth of November. Stickers thrown your way, campaign slogans and signs hit your decisions hard for a definitive way of choice.

Ben Jacobs is a SUNY Albany college junior. Being a political science major has helped him structure an affiliation. His motivation has been enduring, alluring, and determined within such an election that states a strong message.

Being involved since 2007, Jacobs is president of the College Democrats organization on campus. He trained in New York City and since has found his niche in a heavy election.

"Once we started winning primary elections, it went a way of it's own from there," said Jacobs.

Jacob's blog, "Here and Now: Where the Beards are Full and the Left is Right" his anecdotes of political influence has been an additive to his role on and off campus. The campaign took new avenues. It had different candidates that drew in different voters- of the young, the old and the minority.

"They've done an effective, efficient job to bring more people in," said Jacobs. Traveling from New York to New Hampshire to Ohio, Jacobs almost had his own campaign trail. "We talked strategy with student leaders. We gained resources, guidance and materials to move forward."

Jacobs involvement wrote the path for the 2008 election. Having read Obama's The Audacity of Hope , Jacobs understood the future direction of America.

"I spent every weekend concentrating on swing states." The Obama campaign constructed groups on social networking sites such as Facebook designed just for students. The target was to get as many young people interested in the electoral process as well as make a conscious decision for the 2008 election.

Jacobs goes back and forth between persuasion and evasion. "We make sure young people, non-whites, and students go out there and vote. The more numbers the better attention is paid to the future election."

The motivation to young adults to submerge themselves into the voting process is a challenging task. It brings about different strategies of democracy and different targets of persuasion.

"It's so they actually start caring about education," said Jacobs. His concern on political negligence strives through his sermons of sorts, his way with words and his wit of political intelligence. The larger amount of concerned students in education programs, the more hope there is to create an impact and prepare for actual change. "I've learned a hell of a lot. There is no substitution to getting down on the ground," said Jacobs. His experience with the 2008 election has enhanced his interest in politics and public persuasion.

His active involvement in College Democrats on campus heightens young support and awareness. It has created a cultural interest in politics and teaches elements of educational significance but an impact on the American democratic system.

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