Race for White House becomes college class
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

With presidential candidates heading down the home stretch toward "Super Tuesday," Limestone College has taken the debate over who deserves the keys to the White House into the classroom.

A political science course aptly named "The Road to the White House" dives head first into the major issues at the heart of each candidate's campaign.

"This year's election is one of the most important in our nation's history," instructor Dr. Carole Taylor said. "In our class, we are looking at everything that could affect voters in November."

Students chose candidates to follow for the course of the semester, keeping journals to be turned in at the end of the course.

About 15 students are enrolled in the class. Utilizing newspaper, television and Internet sources as fuel for debate, students spend the hourlong class voicing their opinions on the candidates' plans for issues like health care, social security and the economy.

"At the beginning of class, we take time to discuss the current happenings with each of the candidates, leaving us with a little time for a lecture," Taylor said.

The topic of whether race or gender would have a role in November's election is a major part of the discussion.

"In all honesty, most people are more ready for a black president than they are a woman in the White House," Limestone student Ryan Verreilli said. "The country has seen a white male run things for more than 200 years. But this is the first time what is believed to be a given has been challenged.

"But in my opinion that is muddying the issues, possibly causing people to look at their (the candidate's) race or gender rather than how they will perform when in office."

While the students are taking the class to earn a grade, they plan to take the lessons learned in the class to the ballot box.

"The choice is in the hands of the American voter," Taylor said. "All of the issues are going to affect us, but primarily you (students) because after college the real world awaits."