Talk show host and Democratic political activist Jerry Springer made an appearance on Friday in Athens at The Union, 18 W. Union St., to help the Ohio University College Democrats register new voters and energize current ones.
Springer took the opportunity to not only criticize the Bush administration and stress the importance of young people voting, but to denounce Ohio's state politicians and say he was seriously considering running for governor in 2006 as well.
The political decisions that are being made today are really affecting our lives
whether you like politics or not Springer said. It's your life and you have to take control of it because right now politics are in the hands of wealthy
powerful interests. And you're the last thing on their agenda.
Young people today should care about politics because the decisions that are being made by politicians are directly affecting them, Springer said.
He said the war in Iraq and future job prospects are two issues at the forefront of this presidential election that especially concern the college-age voting population.
There are a lot of very real problems
Springer said.
Springer, a former mayor of Cincinnati, outlined some of his key ideas for changes in Ohio's healthcare and education systems that he said would in turn spur economic growth if he were governor. Some of the changes include guaranteed healthcare for every Ohio resident and free college tuition for students majoring in math or science if they agree to teach the subject in troubled schools after graduation.
Springer said he believes Ohio needs to be turned around and that it can only be done if new leadership is put into place, adding that he has the resources and ability to catch the public's attention that is needed to run for office.
If you've got something to sell
people will show up
Springer said.
Springer said any positive or negative associations voters may have with his long-running talk show, The Jerry Springer Show
would be overwhelmed if his campaign rhetoric has merit.
If Springer decides to run for Ohio governor the show would end due to the distraction from the campaign it could cause, he said.
The College Democrats who participated in the voting rally at The Union, which also featured local band Red Dahlia, echoed Springer's sentiments and encouraged young people to get involved in politics.
People of our generation are suffering and paying the price because we didn't turn out in large enough numbers in 2000 to prevent this guy (President George W. Bush) from getting in office
said College Democrats Communications Director Kevin Kovach.
Students who attended the event also voiced their opinions on the importance of young people voting.
If you don't make your voice heard
you have no room to complain
said Megan Weber, an OU freshman.
