Who says America's youth is indifferent toward the political process?
Across campus, as across the country, students tuned in in high numbers to the State of the Union address Tuesday night.
In the commons room of Pegram Dormitory, about 20 Duke freshmen and upperclassmen gathered to watch President George W. Bush present his goals for the nation, and by the time he declared the state of the union strong, the audience split into two competing camps.
The apparent liberals of the bunch were vociferous as they watched the speech, constantly verbalizing their disapproval of Bush's policies. Meanwhile, the conservatives in the room took offense to the jeering.
"We felt some of our housemates were being a little bit disrespectful," said Laura Driver, a freshman. "Even when Clinton was in office, I didn't like him, but I did respect the office that he holds. I just think a lot of people my age don't understand fully what goes into the job."
Brittany Rhodes, also a freshman, was concerned that her peers who were critical of Bush were not giving the former governor of Texas a chance to make his case.
"I think they were quick to hurl their preconceived notions of Bush at him," said Rhodes.
Those who were mostly critical of Bush attributed the polarization of the parties to the demeanor the commander in chief employs as he governs the nation and delivered his speech Tuesday night.
"I think a lot of his tactics are built on machismo and attitude, and it is divisive," said Matt Novak, a freshman. "He says we don't need a permission slip to go to war and stuff like that. I'd appreciate more of a common effort, where he asks for the help of both parties."
As the television cameras cut away from Bush to disapproving top Democrats in the Capitol Building, the liberals in the Pegram commons room saw this depiction as representative of a trend of exclusion.
"I think [President Bush] could have been more sympathetic to other policies, and could have tried to meet [critics] where they're at, instead of trying to isolate a whole party," said Will Zant, a Divinity School student.
The dissenting students had something critical to say about nearly every topic Bush touched upon, even his demands that professional sports leagues crack down on steroid usage by its players.
"I wouldn't mind so much if he focused on crack or cocaine, but to focus on steroids?" said freshman Matt Long.
Even though students acknowledge that bipartisanship is not the prevailing tendency in Washington, D.C., today, they appreciate the premium that democracy puts on dissent.
"Dissent allows you, if you're willing to listen, to adjust your argument and make it better," Rhodes said.
Driver shared Rhodes's sentiment. "When you have an absence of dissent you're moving away from democracy," she said. "[Dissent] plays an important part in our society, and I think part of me is proud that we can have that and still exist as one country."
Adam Laughton, a junior, said he cherishes his right to disagree with much of what Bush had to say last night: "I think [dissent] is inevitable, and I think that's a good thing."
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