We've heard it before, students say

Sep 27, 2008 (The Columbus Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- BWLD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The economy, energy and environment ruled the minds of young voters gathered around beer, hot wings and flat-screen TVs showing last night's presidential debate, but the Ohio State University students said John McCain and Barack Obama didn't have much new to woo them.

"It's not the most exciting debate," said Mary Estock, the 21-year-old president of the College Republicans. "A lot of it was just what we've been hearing over and over, but at least it will start people talking again."

Estock said she is most interested in who can best lead the U.S. to victory in Iraq, but she said the economy seems to be what's holding many of her peers' interest.

Students said the candidates seemed to agree on the big issues, particularly on proceeding with caution toward a bailout plan for Wall Street. They didn't see enough detail to make any sort of sophisticated decision.

The youth vote isn't synonymous with college students, but the students who gathered to watch the foreign-policy debate at Buffalo Wild Wings near campus are among the most plugged-in.

They'd be knocking on doors for campaigns if school papers hadn't chained them to their desks, said Lynn Slawsky, president of the student association at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs.

Most of the students glued to the TV last night were Democrats.

People 18 to 29 years favor the Democratic candidate more than the rest of the electorate, according to Gallup's latest poll -- about 57 percent to 37 percent for McCain.

There wasn't much clapping or booing, even among some of the university's most political students.

Several said foreign policy and the war would have been a hot topic in the past, but their wallets are what they're concerned with now.

Dara Pittard, 24, said she's rethinking law school as she keeps hearing about trouble with loans in the news. She's leaning toward Obama, and is looking for a tangible plan.

"The rise in food and gas costs definitely affect me as a student," Pittard said. "My plans for the future definitely have been affected. "

After the economy, students from both parties said they're worried about a combination of climate change and rising energy costs. Some leaned toward McCain's nuclear power-plant proposal, but the Democrats were pushing clean-energy research.

Slawsky said the environment seems to be a trendy topic with her peers.

"Maybe older people just care more about health care and Social Security because they're older, but we're concerned with the future of the air we're going to breathe," the 26-year-old said. "Social Security should be more on our radar screen, but climate change seems like a hot topic."

Coming out of the debate, both sides seemed to be sticking with the same candidate for the same reasons.

Justin Shum, 23, an undecided voter who picked George Bush in 2004, said neither hopeful won him over last night.

"They're both basically playing to the majority," he said. "It's kind of what I expected it to be."

egibson@dispatch.com

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