Mesa Legend - ARCHIVES - Vol. 39, Issue 8


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Volume 39, Issue 8
January 15, 2002

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Students more politically aware after Sept. 11

U-Wire

BOSTON - Recent events in this country have changed and perplexed a lot of the population, and the nation’s college students are no exception.

Many students who wanted nothing to do with government are now looking into careers with the FBI and CIA. Courses dealing with the Middle East and Muslim relations are being filled up by the suddenly interested and aware students of America. The one thing that remains in question is whether the status of our president has changed.

President George W. Bush originally came into the White House under a lot of scrutiny, and many college students made no secret about their outrage. Literally dozens of protests were organized immediately in the Boston area alone after Bush was announced the 43rd president.

"No President (has been) met with such a negative reception in history," said Robert Gilbert, a professor of political science at Northeastern University.

Since Sept. 11, however, public opinion of Bush has often seemed much more forgiving.

"I really haven’t been able to tell the students’ reactions of President Bush, but I’d imagine they coincide with the views of the rest of the country." he added. "I don’t think the country’s perception of Bush has changed. I feel the country has come together behind Bush because he is the symbolic leader of the country."

Before the attacks on America, President Bush had one of the lowest approval ratings in history for a new president, but since Sept. 11 Bush has seen his approval percentages in the ‘90s.

"I think of him as a better person now, since he has shown sympathy and strength, he hasn’t done anything to make me think of him as a bad leader," said Rachel Sansom, a freshman majoring in architecture.