DOCSLIB.ORG

A Case Study of Political Participation at St

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Case Study of Political Participation at St The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research Volume 9 Article 10 2007 America's Electoral Dilemma: A Case Study of Political Participation at St. John Fisher College Jacob Morley St. John Fisher College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur Part of the American Politics Commons How has open access to Fisher Digital Publications benefited ou?y Recommended Citation Morley, Jacob. "America's Electoral Dilemma: A Case Study of Political Participation at St. John Fisher College." The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research 9 (2007): 36-44. Web. [date of access]. <https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/vol9/iss1/10>. This document is posted at https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/vol9/iss1/10 and is brought to you for free and open access by Fisher Digital Publications at St. John Fisher College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. America's Electoral Dilemma: A Case Study of Political Participation at St. John Fisher College Abstract In lieu of an abstract, below is the first paragraph of the paper. Freedom and opportunity, the greatest virtues of American idealism, are now cornerstones of democratic and capitalist philosophies throughout the world. These ideals have impacted the collective social psyches of generations of Americans, providing them with hope for the future and goals for which to strive. Throughout its young history, Americans have seen their nation as a beacon of these virtues and have sought to spread American-style democracy throughout the globe. This article is available in The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research: https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/ vol9/iss1/10 Morley: America's Electoral Dilemma America's Electoral Dilemma: A Case Study of Political Participation at Saint John Fisher College Jacob Morley America's Electoral Dilemma exercise their electoral rights. America's youth is among the groups that have seen a decline in Freedom is not merely the opportunity electoral participation in recent decades despite to do as one pleases; neither is it efforts to stimulate electoral participation merely the opportunity to choose amongst young Americans. The 26th between set alternatives. Freedom is, Amendment, ratified on July 1, 1971, granted first of all, the chance to formulate the voting rights to citizens aged 18 years for the available choices, to argue over them first time. Upon ratification of this amendment, - and then, the opportunity to choose. President Nixon remarked, "The country needs -Charles Wright Mills (Lewis) an infusion of new spirit from time to time. As I stand here, I sense that we can have confidence Freedom and opportunity, the greatest that America's new voters will provide what this virtues of American idealism, are now country needs" (qtd in Wattenberg, 98). cornerstones of democratic and capitalist Generations of young Americans have failed to philosophies throughout the world. These ideals live up to the aspirations outlined in the words of have impacted the collective social psyches of President Nixon through their continual failure generations of Americans, providing them with to voice their political opinions at the polls. hope for the future and goals for which to strive. Since the ratification of the 26th Throughout its young history, Americans have Amendment, turnout amongst eligible American seen their nation as a beacon of these virtues and voters between the ages of 18 and 24 has have sought to spread American-style remained consistently low in presidential democracy throughout the globe. elections. Participation amongst this age group This form of idealism is best symbolized by reached a peak of 49% in the 1972 contest America's unique system of republican between Richard Nixon and George McGovem government, which seeks to represent the (Wattenberg, 99). This record turnout was collective wishes of American citizens and to largely a result of timing, as the 1972 election provide for the common good of the American was the first opportunity for Americans between people. The shared responsibility of the ages of 18 and 21 to participate in the implementing such ideals rests upon two groups electoral process. Since the 1972 election, - representatives and citizens. While it is the levels of participation in presidential elections representatives who resolve the issues facing the have been significantly lower, reaching a record American people, it remains the citizens' low in the 2000 contest between Al Gore and responsibility to choose their representatives George W. Bush. The 2000 election saw only through the American electoral process. Charles 31% of America's eligible 18-24 year olds vote, Wright Mills, a 20th century American as compared to a rate of nearly 65% amongst sociologist, contextualizes the idea of freedom, voters aged at least 45 years (Jamieson, Shin, emphasizing the importance of active and Day, 4). A sad testament to the significance participation in American government. Ideally, of each and every vote, if young Americans had American democracy is meant to be driven by not voted in such low numbers in the the voices of its people, responding to their presidential election of 2000, the outcome could changing concerns and implementing solutions have been completely different, as the 2000 race for the common good of all (Smith). However was one of the closest in American history. when one group fails to make its voice heard, its An examination of voter turnout in midterm concerns often fall upon the deaf ears of its elections reveals an even more disheartening representatives. reality. While it is true that midterm elections Currently, the American republic is in the draw fewer voters from each age demographic midst of an electoral dilemma, as segments of than presidential elections, 18-24 year olds the American population are turning away from participate at staggeringly lower rates in the American political process by failing to elections that do not decide the nation's highest 36 Published by Fisher Digital Publications, 2007 1 The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research, Vol. 9 [2007], Art. 10 office. Since 1974, turnout in midterm elections Recognizing that a majority of young amongst eligible voters between the ages of 18 Americans are now pursuing education beyond and 24 has never eclipsed 25% (Wattenberg, the high school level and that this age 116). In comparison, turnout rates amongst this demographic has consistently failed to same age group have never been below 30% in a participate in recent elections, it is important to presidential election (Wattenberg, 99). examine why a group that has been provided "Many observers thought that Al Qaeda's with unprecedented access to political attack on American soil and the on-going war knowledge continually fails to display its against terrorism would reinvigorate electoral collective opinion at the polls. Increased access participation in America, especially amongst the to political knowledge both inside the collegiate young" (Wattenberg, 116). This hopeful assess­ classroom and in the media should seemingly ment might ring true in presidential elections. In have the opposite effect, yielding high levels of November 2004, the presidential election participation amongst American youth. between George W. Bush and John Kerry This essay seeks to examine the level of yielded the first turnout rate above 45% amongst electoral participation and political awareness eligible 18-24 year olds since the amongst the student body at St. John Fisher aforementioned 1972 election (Holder, 4). Just College, investigating news consumption habits, two years prior, in a midterm election that student turnout, and participation in politically- featured such critical issues as the War on Terror affiliated groups, both on and off campus, and a potential invasion of Iraq, that same age amongst multiple demographics within the group registered a turnout rate that failed to campus community just prior to the midterm eclipse 20% for the first time since the elections of 2006. Through research into these ratification of the 26th Amendment (Day and particular aspects of campus life, this essay will Holder, 6). show that political awareness and electoral Perhaps the most unique aspect of this participation are low amongst specific groups phenomenon is that it has occurred despite within the current student body at St. John drastically increased educational opportunities Fisher College. Secondly, this essay seeks to for America's young people. Between the years reveal methods through which political of 1970 and 2004, fall enrollment in degree- awareness and electoral participation can be granting institutions has more than doubled, increased amongst the student body at St. John totaling over 17 million in the fall of 2004 as Fisher College. compared to the 8 million enrolled in 1970 (US Department of Education, 2006). Rapid rates of Research Methodology technological advancement throughout these Having defined the aspirations of this essay, years have also provided these generations with it now seems pertinent to establish the increased informational opportunities. The methodology through which its writer has introduction of cable news networks such as researched the topics covered within this paper. CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News has provided This essay is formatted to serve as a case study Americans with unprecedented access to a of political awareness and participation among wealth of political information literally 24 hours several groups within the St. John Fisher campus a day. The advent of the internet has likewise community. provided American youth the freedom to access For the purpose of measuring political political information at their leisure. Despite awareness amongst various groups within the this wealth of both freedom and opportunity to student body at St. John Fisher College, 200 learn about political events, a broad segment of surveys1 were conducted in the week prior to the American youth is failing to participate in the 2006 midterm elections. These surveys required political process, and the impact of this trend participants to list six pieces of information could be damaging to their welfare.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bill Clinton College Transcript
    Bill Clinton College Transcript Rightable Nicholas urbanised or extend some clavicle gregariously, however isoclinal Otho reunited pathologically or Shadowmanure. reddedIs Roscoe or matronizes.pokies or granolithic after hot-short Cosmo apostrophizing so patiently? Hazel adorns closely if unhealed Presidential Debate Donald Trump v Hillary Clinton Read. In response Hillary Clinton's claim some time text that extend well-versed. A hot House official has confirmed to Mediaite that the Rolex. So we have a transcript; and transcripts online. Notable alumni are former President Bill Clinton and every Court Justices. Former President Obama on Hillary Clinton's plan should tie the Trump campaign to. TRUMP our Justice Roberts President Carter President Clinton President Bush. Senate acquits former President Donald Trump in WSPA. I somehow take through other courses in account and walk I did teach a patio at Penn State University for insurance So all though I wasn't a college. Transcript of 'Global Challenges' YaleGlobal Online. The Senate voted 57-43 acquitting former President Donald Trump. PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE GovInfo. We all transcript wondering how can get from college transcript! Typically an official transcript or sent directly to the art who needs it e. Bill Clinton DNC speech transcript text video POLITICO. Read the phone transcript President Trump's speech ahead of Capitol riot. CFHS Homepage Welcome Cape Fear that School offer a school in output there is very pervasive creed of purple pride academic. The Senate voted 57-43 acquitting former President Donald Trump ditch the. Newsweek's Jonathan Alter reflects on the racial fight between.
    [Show full text]
  • Nightmare on Columbus Street
    Nightmare on Columbus Street On November 7, 2016, The New York Times stated that Hillary Clinton had a 85% chance of winning the Presidential election. Fivethirtyeight stated 71%, Huffington Poststated 98%, Predict Wise stated 89%, Daily Kos stated 92%, and Princeton Election Consortium stated a >99% chance. Everyone in America was bracing for another Clinton presidency. By midnight on November 8, Fivethirtyeight stated that Donald Trump had an 84% chance of winning. On the 9th, Hate Crimes and protests started across America. In a Minnesota High School, racial slurs like, “go back to Africa” and “whites only” were written in the bathroom. In NYC, a Muslim woman wearing a scarf (not even a hijab) was passed on a subway platform and told, “Your times up, girlie.” A “Make American White Again” sign with a swastika was graffitied in Wellsville, New York. The name “Trump” was written in a Muslim prayer room at New York University. “Fuck your safe space” and “Build the wall” was written on the sidewalk at the University of Louisiana. “Black lives don’t matter and neither do your votes” was painted on a wall in Durham, North Carolina. In Cambridge, a postal worker yelled at a hispanic resident, “Go back to your country, this is Trump land now.” At the University of Pennsylvania, all African-American freshman were added to a GroupMe labeled “Ni**er Lynching”. All of these atrocities have been contrasted with promises to stay optimistic and hopeful. There have been Anti-Trump rallies in Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Dayton, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, Providence, Albany, Portland, Las Vegas, New Haven, Burlington, and many college campuses.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Future Impact Report
    Blue Future Impact Report 2020 CONTENTS 01 Executive Summary 02 Impact in 2020 & Georgia 06 Our Student Organizers 08 A Word from Elected Officials 11 Key Takeaways from our Program 12 Partners 13 2020 Budget 14 Vision for 2021 + 2022 16 Meet the Staff EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Blue Future is a national organizing In 2020, young people everywhere flexed their program run out of the Youth Progressive Action Catalyst, the largest progressive, voting power. This election saw the highest youth-led, political action committee in youth voter turnout in history. Over 53% of America. eligible youth voters voted in this election! We’re building the field infrastructure to Young people did this, despite unprecedented help progressive Democrats win key races challenges against them. Young people also across the country while simultaneously powered the historic victories of Raphael developing a diverse leadership pipeline to Warnock & Jon Ossoff in Georgia! The COVID- strengthen the future of the Democratic 19 pandemic, the mass protests following the party and the progressive movement. murders of Black Americans by police, and President Trump's & Republicans' attacks on We started out the year like we normally do, our democracy have exposed the injustices knocking doors and doing the work of that the powerful few have unleashed since grassroots organizing. Traditionally, this is the founding of our country, and at the same how Blue Future operated. We would time, opened up the possibility for a profound provide students with the resources and realignment in our politics. funds they needed to campaign for local candidates and organize students on their 2020 was a moment in history that would campuses.
    [Show full text]
  • Campus Battlegrounds for the Fall :: Inside Higher Ed :: Higher Education's Source for N
    Campus Battlegrounds for the Fall :: Inside Higher Ed :: Higher Education's Source for N... Page 1 of 3 Advertisement June 25 Campus Battlegrounds for the Fall With the presidential election officially down to two major party candidates, supporters of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama are turning their attention to strategies for winning over key constituencies. When it comes to one target group — students on college campuses — both campaigns see significant opportunities, but challenging barriers, too. McCain would seem to have the bigger hill to climb, given Obama’s ability to entice and excite young voters, and aides to the Arizona Republican acknowledge that hurdle. But Obama has his own campus problem: keeping disaffected supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton from bolting to McCain after their bruising primary campaign. In the weeks Clinton’s concession this month, rumors have been buzzing that disappointed supporters of the vanquished Democrat may cross party lines to support McCain — and in a few instances they have. In a letter last week to members Students for Hillary at the University of Iowa, the group’s co-chairs, Cody Eliff and Nicole Dziuban, expressed their support for the Republican senator from Arizona. The letter cites reasons such as the unfair treatment of Clinton by the media and by the Obama campaign, as well as Obama being “unqualified” to be president. Also in the letter, Eliff says that Obama did not win the nomination, but was handed it by the Democratic National Committee, citing how it handled the results from the Michigan primary. The letter also suggests that those who don’t want to support McCain consider backing Cynthia McKinney, a former U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Déjà Vu — All Over, Again?
    The Wilmington Wave Wednesday, November 4, 2020 DÉJÀ VU — ALL OVER, AGAIN? Donald J. Trump claims victory as early results for the presidential election release. Carlos Barria Reuters Thompson Stupak ballots turning the tides for unde- Wilmington Wave clared swing states. Trump had a different take Political beliefs nest at home As of 5 a.m. Wednesday on the mail-in ballots still being Annabelle McCracken with multiple types of views be- morning, the results of the 2020 counted, “Votes cannot be cast Wilmington Wave cause I have seen them more now,” Presidential Election still remain after the Polls are closed!” Trump Blevins said. in limbo. tweeted at 12:49 a.m. “Aware” and “open-minded”; Blevins also stated that she Despite the uncertain- Trump followed up with these were the two most common has more freedom to form her own outcomes, President Donald a speech at 2:21 a.m. calling the words used by college students political beliefs now that she is no J. Trump declared his victory mail in ballots “a fraud on the when asked how college has shaped longer under the influence of her against former Vice President American public.” Trump prom- their political beliefs. family and friends from home. This Joseph R. Biden later in the night, ised to bring the issue of mail-in In light of the 2020 election, seems to be a commonality for when many key swing states pre- ballots to the Supreme Court of several college students were ques- many college students. viously predicted to turn the United States as seven swing tioned about how their college expe- “The exposure to others and blue, appeared in the Rebuplican states had yet to be called.
    [Show full text]
  • Barack Obama's Strategy to Win the 2008 Democratic Nomination for President
    Barackin’ The Vote: Barack Obama’s Strategy to Win The 2008 Democratic Nomination for President By: Daniel H. Greeley GOVT 315.001 – Elections & Voting Behavior Capstone Advisor: Professor Candice Nelson Table of Contents Section Page Number Introduction 1 Overall Strategy 2 Message 9 Fundraising 16 State-by-State Tactics 20 Conclusion 28 Works Cited 30 Appendix I: Table 1 – Obama Campaign State-by-State Expenditure Totals 34 Appendix II: Chart 1 – Obama Campaign Expenditures by State Over Time 35 Appendix III: Chart 2 – Obama Campaign Expenditures by Type 36 Appendix IV: Charts 3-11 – Obama Campaign Expenditures Per Quarter For Key States 38 Greeley 1 Introduction: While most people think that the goal of a presidential campaign is to win the election, this is not always the case. Some candidates mount a presidential campaign to raise awareness about an issue, such as Senator Tom Tancredo on immigration reform. Others want to make one of the frontrunner candidates address a specific issue. And, other candidates might want to garner name recognition and fundraising prowess to strengthen their chances of winning re- election to their current office. Finally, some candidates, like George H.W. Bush in 1980, enter the race to showcase their political strengths in the hopes that they might be able to join their party’s ticket or administration if their party wins in the general election. Senator Barack Obama from Illinois, who is an African-American, is running in the race for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Even four years ago, if someone had said an African-American was running for president, the conventional wisdom in the political establishment would probably have been that the candidate was running to raise awareness about race issues or to make the other candidates at least acknowledge these issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Girls Just Wanna Not Run the Gender Gap in Young Americans’ Political Ambition
    Girls Just Wanna Not Run The Gender Gap in Young Americans’ Political Ambition Jennifer L. Lawless Richard L. Fox American University Loyola Marymount University Girls Just Wanna Not Run The Gender Gap in Young Americans’ Political Ambition Jennifer L. Lawless Associate Professor of Government American University Richard L. Fox Professor of Political Science Loyola Marymount University March 2013 Washington, DC: Women & Politics Institute Girls Just Wanna Not Run • The Gender Gap in Young Americans’ Political Ambition | i Table of Contents Executive Summary ii Introduction 1 Over Time and across Generations: The Persistent Gender Gap 2 in Political Ambition Five Factors that Hinder Young Women’s Political Ambition 6 Young men are more likely than young women to be socialized 6 by their parents to think about politics as a career path From their school experiences to their peer associations to their 8 media habits, young women tend to be exposed to less political information and discussion than do young men Young men are more likely than young women to have played 10 organized sports and care about winning Young women are less likely than young men to receive 12 encouragement to run for office – from anyone Young women are less likely than young men to think they will 13 be qualified to run for office, even once they are established in their careers Where Do We Go From Here? Summary, Discussion, and 14 Concluding Remarks Appendix A: Data Collection and the Sample 18 Appendix B: Research on the Difference Women Make in Politics 19 Notes 23 About the Authors 26 Acknowledgements 26 ii | Lawless and Fox Executive Summary Studies of women and men who are well-situated to run for office uncover a persistent gender gap in political ambition.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chronicle Student News Magazine
    THE CHRONICLE STUDENT NEWS MAGAZINE FALL 2017 | VOLUME 141 | ISSUE 1 | NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE | NAPERVILLE, ILL. the Chronicle LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ne of my editors asked me at the begin- ning of the year if I was worried that I had killed The Chronicle. I answered yes. Af- ter several discussions, we decided to make some major changes to our print issue — we’ve gone from printing three times a term to one single issue. OThe focus of this term’s issue is division, something that’s on everyone’s minds these days. With our political sphere resembling a circus and family and friends being split by their views, it’s hard to see the silver lining. Here you’ll find interpretations of division from all political sides, what it means to be in the middle and how, despite all this EDITORIAL BOARD political dissent, we’re still able to come together through everyday things like Netflix. Halle Olson Editor-in-Chief So, without further ado, I welcome you to the new Chroni- cle. Allison Hartman Managing Editor Adam Poklop News Editor Halle Olson Editor-in-Chief Peter Medlin Assistant News Editor Madeline Klepec Arts Editor ABOUT Matthew Hehl Sports Editor The North Central College Chronicle is published once a term by students of North Central College as a forum for Tom Miller Lifestyle Editor providing news, opinion and information of interest to the Caleb Lundquist Multimedia Editor campus and the greater community. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opin- McLean Holmes Web Editor ions of The Chronicle editorial board or of North Central Gillian Young Design Editor College.
    [Show full text]
  • Democrats Club
    Democrats Club Also SEE: Presidents: U.S.: Visits to Campus rsi HH :\ V ‘N, ‘ 2p t. L_ L.J ] Li Newsletter of the O.S.U. Young Democratic (iub - Volume 2 No. I October 1962 Bill Ochsenwald Editors: Barton Zaner, Robert Hillis, Richard England, Vote Yes on Referendum If you would rather work for We recognize that NS.A. is, or honest, competent government ought to be a bi—partisan issue. than complain about Tvoter ap The Editorial Board, acting as in the Re—Elect’DiSalle Gov— athy * dividual students and democrats, ernor F{eadquarters, 7 U. Broad passed the following at the first * Street, can use volunteers. October meeting: RESOLVEiJ: That since the Na tional Student Association has long aradoxes (Continued) been recognized as the voice of Wonder why all those Republi American student opinion, and that cans who belly-ached about rais despite some flaws in its organi ing taxes in the 103rd General zation and past policies, it has Assembly didn?t repeal those performed many valuable services same taxes in the Republican both for this university and our controlled 104.th General Assem— fellow campus communities,uch as Ily? - providing an effective means of inter-college communication and Operatiofl Cbver_A1lt representation of American students in international conferences and The O.S.U. Young .Deniocratic before governmental bodies; and, Club has constructed plans fox because we believe that the best the November election campaign at way to reform an organization is a meeting held Thursday, October to remain in it and seek improve i, at the Democratic County Head ments instead of seceding and then quarters in the Southern Hotel.
    [Show full text]
  • The Constitution of the College Democrats
    The Constitution of the College Democrats Article I — Name The name of this organization shall be the College Democrats, hereafter referred to as the Organization. The organization shall be affiliated with the Nebraska Democratic Party through the Nebraska Young Democrats. Article II — Purpose The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage participation in the Democratic Party, aid in the election of Democratic candidates, and to educate college students on issues relevant to the current political climate. Article Ill — Membership Section l. Regular membership in this organization shall be open to any Creighton University student who subscribes to the ideals of the organization. Article IV — Officers Section l. Officers of the organization shall be as follows, and will form the Executive Committee: - President - Vice President of Finance - Director of Social Media - Vice President of Public Relations - Director of Civic Engagement - Vice President of Recruitment Section 2. At such time when the organization feels it necessary to add more officers, it may be done with the unanimous consent of the existing officers. Section 3. Election of Officers: Officers of the organization shall be elected near or within the first week of April. A. Any candidate wishing to run must be nominated by at least one current member, including self-nomination. B. Each candidate shall give a short speech expressing why they are fit for the position. a. If candidate is not able to be present, a written statement shall suffice. C. Officer positions shall be decided by a majority vote. D. Only members who have attended a minimum of three meetings during the semester of voting shall be eligible for nomination to the Executive Team, with an exception for the Presidency, where the nominee must have attended 75 percent of the meetings for that semester.
    [Show full text]
  • Sarah Weddington): a Guide to Its Records at the Jimmy Carter Library
    441 Freedom Parkway NE Atlanta, GA 30307 http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov Records of the Office of the Assistant to the President for Women's Affairs (Sarah Weddington): A Guide to Its Records at the Jimmy Carter Library Collection Summary Creator: Office of the Assistant to the President for Women’s Affairs Title: Records of the Office of the Assistant to the President for Women’s Affairs (Sarah Weddington) Dates: 1977-1981 Quantity: 54 linear feet (50 linear feet open for research), 112 containers Identification: Accession Number: 80-1 Archival Research Catalog (ARC) Identification Number: 1097 Scope and Content: This collection contains correspondence, invitations, memoranda, reports, notes, speech drafts, publications, newspaper clippings, briefing papers, card files, and computer printouts. The materials in the collection relate to the office’s efforts in the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA); the appointment of women to key positions; and formulating legislation in cooperation with the Congressional Liaison Office that affected women. In addition, this collection contains a large amount of material relating to the 1980 campaign including the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and the President’s Speakers Bureau. Creator Information: Office of the Assistant to the President for Women’s Affairs This office was headed by Sarah Weddington, who was appointed as Assistant to the President in September 1978, and joined the White House staff on October 22, 1978. The Office of the Assistant to the President for Women’s Affairs’ responsibilities were once part of the Office of the Assistant to the President for Public Liaison, which was headed by Midge Constanza and handled minority affairs.
    [Show full text]
  • Alben W. Barkley: Harry S
    Kaleidoscope Volume 7 Article 15 September 2015 Alben W. Barkley: Harry S. Truman’s Unexpected Political Asset John Ghaelian University of Kentucky, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kaleidoscope Part of the History Commons Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Ghaelian, John (2008) "Alben W. Barkley: Harry S. Truman’s Unexpected Political Asset," Kaleidoscope: Vol. 7, Article 15. Available at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kaleidoscope/vol7/iss1/15 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The Office of Undergraduate Research at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Kaleidoscope by an authorized editor of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AUTHOR John Ghaelian am undergraduate senior majoring in both English and history. The work that I present here was done Alben W. Barkley: I for my senior thesis for my honors history class. By making extensive use of Senator Alben W. Barkley’s Harry S. Truman’s archives located in the M.I. King Special Collections in the library, I was able to explore the role Senator Bar- Unexpected Political kley had on the Democratic presidential ticket in 1948. One of the greatest assets that I had while working Asset on the project was my professor and mentor Dr. Kathi Kern of the history de- partment. Dr. Kern constantly pushed me and the other students in the class to produce better work and probe deeper into our research.
    [Show full text]