Whether Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate Sen. Joseph Biden win the 2008 election, or Republican Sen. John McCain and his running mate Gov. Sarah Palin win, Sacramento State’s College Democrats and College Republicans agree on one aspect of the upcoming election: communicating to their fellow students the importance of this election.

“So many students are misinformed; they rely on others to give them a summary of the issues” said Sac State College Republicans President Bonnie MacArthur. “Please, take time and research what these candidates are purposing. Then, think about how these issues will affect you in the future. The decisions we make this year will affect our grandchildren, so choose wisely.”

To that end, both political clubs will host voter registration drives throughout the semester.

The College Democrats will inform voters of local propositions on the ballot, particularly Propositions 1A, Proposition 4, and Proposition 8. They will also work to get Democrats Charlie Brown and Bill Durston elected to the 4th and 3rd Congressional Districts, respectively. College Democrats plan to take part in a DREAM Act rally at the Capitol on Sept. 26.

College Republicans will sign up first-time voters and organize a precinct walk on October 4, when they go door-to-door throughout the Sacramento area to sign up unregistered voters. They also plan to get area Republicans in office, including Abram Wilson for the state Assembly in Contra Costa County, and Tom McClintock in the 4th Congressional District.

Prop. 1A is the High Speed Rail Act, Prop. 4 deals with parental notification for minors seeking an abortion, and Prop 8 is a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.

“(The election) is not only going to get ugly, but there’s also going to be that positive side of where people are going to realize that their vote matters and is becoming increasingly important in these trying times.” said College Republicans Vice President Debbie Arellano, a junior government student.

Neither side was familiar with Palin, however. Sac State College Republicans Vice President Debbie Arellano, a junior government student, said that after she did her homework on Palin, she was personally impressed with the results. She was glad McCain selected a woman for his vice presidential running mate.

“My initial reaction was, ‘Who is that?'” Arellano said. “I don’t know who that is and I want to know more. My second initial reaction was, ‘She is a woman.’ It wasn’t a negative reaction,” but she indicated she would do some research on the candidate.

Arellano particularly liked how Palin was at every level of government before becoming a VP candidate. She started her political career as a member of the Parent Teacher Association at her children’s school and was a member of the Wasilla, Alaska City Council before becoming mayor. In 2006, Palin became governor of the state of Alaska.

Although initially annoyed by Palin’s high-pitched voice, Arellano said she listened to what she was saying “and was blown away by her enthusiasm, and by how genuine she was.” This, Arellano added, was what captured her about Palin.

As an observer in the Democratic convention, Sac State College Democrats Vice President Nelly Hayatghaib, a senior in journalism, attended a pre-convention through a program hosted by the College Democrats of America. She said her experience at the Democratic convention was outrageous, amazing, and life changing.

“To go to convention and to see so many people- just in Invesco Field,” Hayatghaib said. “There were 100 thousand people, and nearly all of them were waving signs that said, ‘Change.'”

She said she was never an Obama supporter. However, no matter who became the nominee, she would give her support, Hayatghaib said. Despite being invigorated by listening to Obama’s speech in the stadium, she felt it was not the best he has given.

“I just think the entire atmosphere and everything about it was so utterly perfect, I don’t think anything could have been better crafted or planned,” Hayatghaib said.

College Democrats President Justin Denton, a senior in government, watched the bulk of Sen. Barack Obama’s speech on television and believed he touched on subjects that most Americans were interested in. He said he was impressed that Obama chose to “hit at the red meat of the issues rather than the political rhetoric.”

Denton said Obama’s choice of Biden showed an excellent example of judgment on his part. Should the unthinkable happen to Obama, “he picked someone who has an extensive record on foreign policy and an extensive record on the national level.”

While in Denver, Hayatghaib ran into a friend of hers, which made attending the convention easier to handle. She also said it was “re-inspiring” and refreshing to see thousands of people seeking change.

“I thought I was going to go to Denver and be there for eight days by myself,” Hayatghaib said. “I wanted to do that because of what this year means, because my friends have died for oil, because there are people here who don’t have healthcare, because not everybody has access to education, and they need it.”

Obama said this campaign would be about the issues. Both the College Democrats and College Republicans have issues that affect them greatly this campaign season. Members of both clubs will be working hard during the next two months to make sure their fellow students are well informed about those issues.

Ben Schilter can be reached at [email protected]