Whether students sport a Barack Obama button or a John McCain sticker, political flair can be an effective campaign strategy, especially on a college campus.
In Athens, promotional items such as buttons and stickers work well as a campaign strategy because students constantly interact, said Michael Burton, an Ohio University political science professor who worked as an adviser to Vice President Al Gore, and has worked on numerous campaigns.
If you have a group of friends and they all support Obama or they all support McCain and you're on the fence
you're more likely to trust your friends Burton said.
The Obama campaign focuses on students with a variety of stickers, pins and posters geared toward young voters, said Liz Clark, communications director for OU College Democrats and the OU chapter coordinator of Students for Obama.
- Clark said. That kind of stuff is great for visibility. Having that reminder
it really encourages other people to go out and vote.
OU College Republicans, working with the Athens Republican Party, has been using promotional items to reward volunteers instead of focusing on widespread distribution, said Melissa Short, president of OU College Republicans.
But amid the abundance of Obama flair around campus, wearing a McCain button or sticker can spark discussion among other supporters, said Kristen Bussell, vice president of OU College Republicans.
It kind of helps us find each other
Bussell said.
Regina Warfel, a graduate student studying psychology, sports an Obama sticker on her purse and displays signs in her window and front yard.
I've never publicly displayed who I was going to vote for 'til now
Warfel said. I think this time around I feel a little stronger (about the candidates)
and the stickers were available.
Brandon Fude, a junior studying telecommunications, picked up a Sportsmen for McCain bumper sticker at the Athens Republican Party headquarters last week to show his support around campus.
I feel like everything's for Obama
Fude said. I feel like there's nothing about McCain.
Ashley Martinez, a freshman studying dietetics, said she usually gives candidates further consideration if a friend or family member endorses them. Martinez's roommate supports Obama and puts stickers and posters up in her room.
She's trying to persuade me. G? I still don't know who I'm voting for
Martinez said. I'm open-minded; I love to debate things.
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