Elections, controversial issues and student responses

Miriam Arias/ Staff Writer

Following Nov. 6, President Barack Obama will begin his second term in office or Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, will succeed him. With 29 votes in the Electoral College, Florida citizens will have a say in the outcome.

Both candidates are attempting to appeal to Hispanic voters, a group particularly large in South Florida.

According to a CNN news report, 21 million out of 200 million registered voters are Hispanic and Florida has 15 percent of the Hispanic vote.

In addition to ads and commercials in Spanish, the candidates made an appearance at the University of Miami this past week on Wednesday and Thursday.  Romney was scheduled on Wednesday and Obama was scheduled on Thursday.

The candidates arrived at UM for individual interviews with hosts from Univision to discuss education and future plans among the Hispanic community.

Prominent supporters from the campaign are also attempting to reach out to the Florida community.

First Lady Michelle Obama, visited the University of Florida on Monday, Sept.17, while former Democratic President Bill Clinton gave a speech at FIU last week.

“It is a combined effort to appeal to those in Florida, particularly Hispanics,” said Jorge Mendez, political science graduate and alum. “Going to a university is the best way to achieve this.”

As the candidates attempt to appeal to the community and Hispanic voters, many controversial issues surround the candidates, such as their stance on abortion and taxes.

Handell Gonzalez, accounting major, believes that abortion is understandable in issues such as rape, incest, or if the pregnancy poses harm on the mother’s life.

“I’m a homeowner and I kind of do like paying taxes because, in Florida, all my property taxes go towards my schools,” said Muffy Barbaran, sociology and women’s studies major. “I want them to prevail.”