By Paul TakahashiThe Daily Northwestern
With less than a week left before election day on April 10, ASG candidates are rolling out new ways to get their messages out.
Weinberg junior Julian Hill, who is seeking the position of Associated Student Government president, has released a rap song on his Web site that outlines his vision and platform.
“Flyering and chalking are typical ways of campaigning,” said Angela Ellington, Hill’s campaign manager and a Communication sophomore. “We’re all about doing something different, something I think that’s never been done before.”
The rap song features Hill and his friend, Communication junior Adam Welton. A rap video featuring the duo is forthcoming, Ellington said.
The other presidential candidate, SESP junior Jonathan Webber, is also trying something different: a blog.
“He has a few blurbs on his blog,” said Weinberg freshman Jesse Garfinkel, Webber’s campaign manager. “We plan to have a schedule up on the Web site so people will know where Jon is and what he’s doing on the campaign.”
Garfinkel said Webber’s campaign will also post videos explaining Webber’s platform that are “pop-esque” on their Web site.
Matt Bogusz’s campaign has already uploaded two YouTube videos on its Web site: One discusses the value of student involvement, and the other talks about the lack of office space for student groups at Norris University Center.
The Weinberg sophomore is running unopposed for executive vice president.
“We hope the videos will be a visual and interactive way to help students understand what the issues are and what Matt’s proposals are,” said Weinberg junior Faisal Choudhury, Bogusz’s campaign manager.
In addition, the self-proclaimed Team Bogusz has three students wearing sandwich boards asking students to support Bogusz. McCormick freshman Vikram Karandikar said he plans to wear the billboards every day until election day.
“We figured it’ll be a funny and obnoxious way to get people to vote,” Karandikar said. “I’ve had a couple of people ask me about it, but most people just smile as they walk by.”
All the candidates have created Facebook groups to facilitate their campaign efforts.
“The Facebook group is good because it’s a quick way to get the message out,” Garfinkel said.
“It’s an absolute necessity to use Facebook,” said Tara Corrigan, the campaign manager for Weinberg sophomore Nate West. “We’ll be sending messages to members on how and when to vote and how to get involved.”
Campaigns are also relying on tried-and-true methods to promote their message. All the campaign managers said face-to-face interaction was crucial in the election. Many candidates are meeting with student groups and visiting dorms and Greek houses to meet voters.
“Anna will be visiting dorm munchies and events to break the ice and meet new people,” said Medill senior Nina Kim, campaign manager for academic vice president candidate Anna Xu, a McCormick junior. “We’ll also try to stand in front of the Arch and the Rock as the election date approaches.”
Some campaigns have begun to tape fliers and write messages on the ground around campus. However, the inclement weather has proven to be a challenge.
“The weather has been unfortunate for our plans to flier and chalk up the sidewalks,” Ellington, Hill’s campaign manager, said.
Reach Paul Takahashi at [email protected].
