The past presidential election was a historic one. The candidates battled for swing states, media attention and zingers in debates. While the candidates were battling across the nation, there were smaller but just as influential combats on a different type of battlefield - the college campus.

College students have regained their voice during this election. They have given their vote to choose the country’s future. In this recent election, 23 million voters from the age of 18-30 cast their ballots, which is a 3.4 million increase since the election in 2004.

In such an influential time where college aged students are being told to “Rock the Vote,” it seems that Aquinas students would do as much as they could to get out the message.

One person who took the opportunity to broaden her horizons was Aquinas freshman Hayley Michling.

Michling, who grew up in a very conservative area in northern Illinois, was raised Republican. During high school she attended numerous Republican meetings in her area and was raised only knowing the Republican side of politics.

“I was growing older and taking a stronger interest in politics,” said Michling, “so when I came to college I knew I wanted to join a political club.”

Michling, like many freshmen, went to Clubs and Orgs day at the beginning of the school year to become involved on campus.

“I decided to sign up for AQ Dems because I wanted to hear and learn more about them,” said Michling.

Although Michling chose to be a part of the AQ Democrats, she still considers herself a moderate. She used the club meetings and events as a learning opportunity rather than a political pedestal to stand on.

“It really didn’t seem to me that the AQ Republicans were existent on campus, which was weird to me because I am very moderate and would have liked to see their side as well,” said Michling.

Michling is one of 30 active participating members of the AQ Democrats. Under the presidential leadership of senior Maria Filice, the club spent well over $400 hosting events on campus.

Some of the events they hosted were: a massive voter registration drive, Will.i.am and Tatyana Ali at The Moose, a convention watching party at the end of August, voter registration tables in the Academic Building for a month, three featured local bands at the Rock for Barack concert, volunteering from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. when Obama visited Grand Rapids, a Presidential Debate watching party in October, Tailgate for Change which was attended by a former Republican member of the House of Representatives and knocking on every dorm door from August until the morning of election day reminding people to vote.

“The Dems have amazing leadership,” said Michling. “Maria goes above and beyond the call of duty.”

Vaughn Frahzer, a sophomore and two year member of AQ Republicans, also commends Filice on her expert leadership.

“I have to applaud the work of Maria Filice and the AQ Democrats on campus,” said Frahzer. “Her immense efforts along with the remainder of their club by far exceeded our enterprise within the Aquinas community.”

It appears in this election that the liberal viewpoint was held by a majority of AQ students and faculty. In saying this, the AQ Republicans had a challenge to promote the McCain-Palin ticket on campus.

Frahzer, who will be taking the role of Vice President for the club next year, understood this challenge early on.

“We do not exactly have the overwhelming man power in comparison to the AQ Democrats,”said Frahzer.

The AQ Republicans have nine active members in their club, compared to 30 members in the AQ Democrats. Because of the lacking conservative base for the AQ Republicans, they anticipated that any McCain event on campus grounds would attract more protesters than supporters. The AQ Republicans decided to relocate their political efforts to the Kent County GOP Headquarters.

“At the GOP Headquarters we collectively allocated our efforts specifically to the Grand Rapids community by working on a number of projects in our spare time,” said Frahzer.

The projects included phone banking, literary drops, house to house surveying, volunteering at the McCain-Palin rally at GRCC and research. Their intent was to identify and target the undecided voting population.

Michling, who considered herself an undecided voter when she arrived at Aquinas, was disappointed with the absence of the AQ Republican events on campus.

“Joining the Dems and going to the meetings really did have an influence on my voting. I would say I was definitely swayed because of the lack of Republican action on campus,” said Michling.

Michling was not the only person dissatisfied with the Republican action on campus. Filice also had her disappointments with how the months preceding the election turned out.

“I was excited for an open and honest discussion on campus and when that didn’t occur,” said Filice, “I felt like it was a true disservice to the campus.”

“While I respect the leadership and the members of the club and consider many of them my friends, I can only equate their lack of presence to a major difference in goals.”

Frahzer also had his regrets not about the club but more so about himself. He is optimistic and hopeful for the future successes of the club.

“I wish I simply could’ve volunteered more and perhaps utilize more of the dormant McCain supported on campus. This could have increased the possibility for a higher degree of success on campus,” said Frahzer.

“Our club is doing well and I am curious to see what the next four years will bring. Despite small numbers we do have zealous activists,” said Frahzer. “There are plans under construction with the intent of establishing more of a presence on campus.”

Being a Republican in a predominantly liberal environment may be discouraging but Frahzer was able to find the positive aspects during the past few months.

“I embrace it. Besides strengthening my political ideology, I feel the abundant exposure to the logic of the left has and will continue to progress my reason,” said Frahzer, “I am certainly a much more open minded person for it.”

Even the president of the AQ Democrats has run into problems on campus.

“People are only motivated when there’s a presidential election and when it’s done they lose interest,” said Filice, “I think this is a main problem with not only our age group but the nation in general.”

Aquinas will have to wait and see what becomes of not only the AQ Republicans but also the AQ Democrats after such a whirlwind campaigning season. The presidential election brought victory to the AQ Democrats but also opened the eyes of the AQ Republicans. There will always be losses and victories, always liberals and conservatives, always moderates and undecided voters. It just takes some motivation to invigorate political life on campus-from both political parties and the students.

(cnt. from pg. 2) “At the GOP Headquarters we collectively allocated our efforts specifically to the Grand Rapids community by working on a number of projects in our spare time,” said Frahzer.

The projects included phone banking, literary drops, house to house surveying, volunteering at the McCain-Palin rally at GRCC and research. Their intent was to identify and target the undecided voting population.

Michling, who considered herself an undecided voter when she arrived at Aquinas, was disappointed with the absence of the AQ Republican events on campus.

“Joining the Dems and going to the meetings really did have an influence on my voting. I would say I was definitely swayed because of the lack of Republican action on campus,” said Michling.

Michling was not the only person dissatisfied with the Republican action on campus. Filice also had her disappointments with how the months preceding the election turned out.

“I was excited for an open and honest discussion on campus,” said Filice. “When that didn’t occur, I felt like it was a true disservice to the campus.”

“While I respect the leadership and the members of the club and consider many of them my friends, I can only equate their lack of presence to a major difference in goals.”

Frahzer also had his regrets - not about the club, but more so about himself. He is optimistic and hopeful for the future successes of the club.

“I wish I simply could’ve volunteered more and perhaps utilize more of the dormant McCain supporters on campus. This could have increased the possibility for a higher degree of success on campus,” said Frahzer.

“Our club is doing well and I am curious to see what the next four years will bring. Despite small numbers, we do have zealous activists,” said Frahzer. “There are plans under construction with the intent of establishing more of a presence on campus.”

Being a Republican in a predominantly liberal environment may be discouraging, but Frahzer was able to find the positive aspects during the past few months.

“I embrace it. Besides strengthening my political ideology, I feel the abundant exposure to the logic of the left has and will continue to progress my reason,” said Frahzer. “I am certainly a much more open-minded person for it.”

Even the president of the AQ Democrats has run into problems on campus.

“People are only motivated when there’s a presidential election and when it’s done, they lose interest,” said Filice. “I think this is a main problem with not only our age group but the nation in general.”

Aquinas will have to wait and see what becomes of not only the AQ Republicans, but also the AQ Democrats after such a whirlwind campaigning season. The presidential election brought victory to the AQ Democrats, but also opened the eyes of the AQ Republicans. There will always be losses and victories, always liberals and conservatives, always moderates and undecided voters. It just takes some motivation to invigorate political life on campus - from both political parties and the students.