Students for John McCain co-chair has all the right answers

Allison Huff is co-chair of the USC campus organization Students for John McCain. The senior communication and political science double major is also a member of USC College Republicans and spent the Spring 2008 semester working at the White House for Vice President Dick Cheney.

K: Why are you a McCain supporter?
AH: I think national security and the economy are the most important issues right now. McCain has had decades of experience protecting our nation, and there is no other politician in America right now who will be able to better address the national security challenges that face our nation. On the economy, McCain will keep taxes low and cut wasteful government spending which will help spur growth for small businesses, the bedrock of America's economy.

K: What have been the major challenges facing an organization like Students for John McCain?
AH: We had little time to chart through the bureaucracy of charting a new student organization at USC, because the election was just a few months away. We also had no money, so we had to work really hard on fundraising. We have now raised close to $1,500 from USC alumni, friends and family.

Students are statistically more liberal than the general voting population and after 8 years of a republican president, many students are quick to jump on the band wagon and support our opponent. It is difficult to increase membership, but we are excited to see the growing involvement of members over the past month. We have about 150 members.


K: Why is it important that John McCain supporters have a presence on campus?
AH: I think that if there is not a balance of views and challenging the status quo of liberal ideology in campus, we as college students will be doing ourselves a great disservice. As young people, we must be committed to thinking independently and analytically about our political beliefs.

I think far too many college students support liberal candidates based on cultural and social influences and less often based on their political ideology.

K: What events are Students for John McCain planning to do with USC's chapter of Students for Barack Obama?
AH: Every Wednesday afternoon until election day we are doing a debate series sponsored by the Unruh Institute on Politics. Each week there is a different policy topic. A representative from each group writes an editorial in The Daily Trojan about the week's issue, and these pieces appear in the paper's Wednesday edition. Each representative presents their candidate's argument at the lunch debate. Afterwards, supporters and opponents can ask questions.

K: Do you want a career in politics? Why?
AH: Yes. I am interested in diplomacy efforts and international development in the Middle East. I want to work in politics because I think it impacts everyone whether we realize it or not. We have the best governmental system in the history of the world; it is a great vehicle for improving the lives of Americans and people around the world.

Photos courtesy of Allison Huff.