Claire Cooper '09
Co-Chair of the Bowdoin College Democrats
"I believe that most Americans understand the historical significance of this moment, anticipating eminent and unprecedented economic, environmental, and global threats to our country and the world. Although the electoral map is by no means concrete, it reflects a pattern of growing confidence in Obama's candidacy and excitement about the future direction of our nation under his leadership. For these reasons I believe Barack Obama will win on November 4, because he has proven his capability and judgment as a leader, while never deterring from his message of unity and change."
Steve Robinson '11
Member of the Bowdoin College Republicans
"This one's an Obama landslide. He ran an excellent campaign fueled by donations of over $600 million. He had the media in his back pocket the whole race and 95 percent of America likes him because they are going to get more money under his administration. When you can vote yourself money, there is no democracy. There is a solution; visit fairtax.org for more information. This is real hope."
Jill Pearlman
Lecturer in Environmental Studies
"Obama by a wide margin. Extremely smart, unflappable, and deeply engaged in the issues, his positions on the economy and war set him far apart from the failed Bush/Cheney regime. Moreover, he has run a masterful campaign and given people reason to believe that things can be different. To seal the deal, the economy tanked at just the right moment. McCain never figured out who he wants to be, ran a lousy, indecisive, and petty campaign, and he never emerged from the shadow of Bush. Finally, he made the revelatory decision to put (if I may quote from today's [October 27] headlines) a 'whack-job' on his ticket."
Christian Potholm
Professor of Government
"Barack wins big, Sarah Palin positions herself as the next Reagan. McCain ran a poor campaign, stock markets lost $11 trillion, and Barack had the ability to outspend McCain 7 to 8 in key battle ground battle fields DMA's. At this moment of economic crisis, the Republican dream ticket would have been (thanks to Bernie LaCroix) Mitt Romney and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson."
Nancy Jennings
Associate Professor of Education
"I'm an Obama supporter, and want to believe in the recent polls that show him ahead, although I'm just nervous about it all. If he gets elected, I hope he can restore some credibility in the United States among people in the rest of the world and perhaps some good will. I agree with many of his domestic policy ideas. I think he's smart and thoughtful and surrounds himself with smart, thoughtful people?that's a real change. This is said with more hope than reason, but I think Obama has the potential to be a great president at a time when we desperately need a great president."
Larry Simon
Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies
"Obama. Short of an unexpected, world historical event intervening in the next few days, all the polls point to an easy Obama victory. The only interesting questions are whether there will be a hidden racist vote that will prevent it from being a landslide and if the Democrats will reach the veto-proof number of 60 in the Senate. Of course, the other interesting question is how adequately an Obama administration will respond to the present economic crisis."
Sarah Pritzker
Member of the Bowdoin College Democrats
"Though I might not be certain enough to make a prediction, I hope that Barack Obama will win. I think he has addressed many issues American citizens are concerned about and provides a viable solution to the discontent our country is experiencing. I also feel that for many moderates, Sarah Palin has undermined the legitimacy of John McCain's campaign and become a joke to liberals as well as others across the nation. I hope Barack Obama and Biden win next Tuesday and bring this country in a new direction."
Paul Franco
Professor of Government
"Obama by a landslide. He has run a flawless campaign, while McCain has run a deeply flawed campaign culminating in his irresponsible choice of Palin for VP. And of course there has been the long, dark?historically dark?shadow of Bush."
John Cunningham '10
Co-Chair of the College Republicans
"Obama has just about everything going for him?the economy's in rough shape, the President is hugely unpopular, etc.?so it makes sense that it seems he will win next Tuesday. However, while the state polls suggest Obama will easily defeat McCain, they may not capture some important information, overstating Obama's lead. With independents swinging to McCain, among other factors, McCain still has a chance at winning. If Obama does win, it will be because he's masterfully created a cult of personality and been able to convince Americans that policies that will stifle economic growth and change will somehow make things better."
John Fitzgerald
Professor of Economics
"Obama. It's the economy. And many perceive Palin as a know-nothing."