Flyers from the group U Students for Hillary began to appear around campus after former President Bill Clinton’s visit to the Union earlier this month. Four U students had been inspired by Clinton’s rally — which served as a fundraiser for his wife’s presidential campaign-and decided to join the effort.
They created to support Sen. Hillary Clinton in her presidential campaign.
“The whole event impassioned me even more and solidified my outspoken support for Hillary,” said Andrea Corwin, who will be interning for Clinton’s campaign in Nevada during Winter Break.
The Union event and a Park City fundraiser held on the same day raised about $350,000 for the campaign.
Corwin and Anastasia Niedrich, both seniors and co-chairs of the new club, said that group activities will include volunteering, fundraising and encouraging education and dialogue on campus. Future events might also include a student presidential debate.
“(The group) wants to work together with other campus groups to encourage students to get educated and discourse regarding candidates and issues in the upcoming elections,” said Corwin, a mass communication major.
Although Clinton differs from other Democratic candidates on some issues, the most prominent and most discussed comparison is her gender, because she is the only female Democrat running for president. However, Corwin said Clinton’s gender should not overpower the issues for which she stands.
“Not only is she the most qualified for the job, but it just so happens, if elected, that she would make history as the first woman president of the United States,” Corwin said.
Supporting a female presidential candidate isn’t the only reason the group supports Clinton. The group also supports her because she is a politician in Washington, D.C., and she will name Bill Clinton as a U.S. international diplomat, Corwin said.
“Bill Clinton is very well-respected and liked internationally,” Corwin said.
Although it started with four members, the group is hoping to expand and reach hundreds of Hillary Clinton supporters. The group will focus on encouraging students to register and to vote in support of Clinton for the Utah 2008 presidential primary elections on Feb. 5, commonly known as “Super Tuesday.” Utah will be one of 23 states holding primary and caucus elections that day.
“The purpose of our group is to represent students and to get them involved and work in support of Hillary Clinton,” said Niedrich, an opinion columnist for The Daily Utah Chronicle. “It is our collective belief that she is the best qualified candidate to serve our nation as its next president.”
Applications for leadership positions in the group are being accepted. Interested students are encouraged to apply. For more information about the group, e-mail [email protected].