North Carolina is a traditionally red state during presidential elections-but that does not reflect the political climate among employees here at the University.
Whether they work at the Marketplace, the Great Hall, or operate the buses that run between them, many employees said they support Democratic candidate Barack Obama for president. Most of the employees interviewed were black, and in the May 6 N.C. Democratic primary, Obama won 91 percent of the black vote-which comprised 33 percent of the state's electorate-according to exit polling by FOX News.
"I guarantee you African-American turnout, if I'm the nominee, goes up 30 percent around the country, minimum," Obama pledged at a campaign stop in August 2007.
Alpine Bagels employee Rebecca Alston, 25, said she is enthusiastic about Obama, saying he brings a fresh perspective to Washington.
"I enjoy his views and think that we may see some honest change," she said. "He's totally new, from the physical sense to the political sense."
The word "change" was a popular buzzword among many employees.
"I just like Obama better because there are a lot of people talking about how he's going to make change," said Marketplace employee Whitney Malone, 20.
Many employees expressed discontent with the current administration, citing issues such as health care, social security, taxes, gas prices, the environment and the Iraq War as causes for concern. Several added that they are optimistic that Obama could address all of these issues if elected.
Not all employees, however, share this optimism. Some said they believe that the political system itself needs to be reformed before the country can change direction.
Marketplace Manager Ellen Rice, a citizen of Germany, said she believes that the bipartisan political system is the problem.
"In Europe, there are more choices, more political parties," she said. "There aren't many options here. It would be a difficult decision for me if I could vote."
Despite their different opinions, employees shared excitement about the election. Many said the current election made them more interested and involved in politics than ever before.
Marketplace employee Jason Beluin, 22, said Obama and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin are welcome changes to the traditional election format.
"[The election] is more interesting because of the different diversity of the people running," he said.
David Clark, 44, who drives the C-1 bus, said he thinks this year's election is more important than any in the past and will galvanize voters.
"I think we'll have more people out at the polls this year than ever... because America needs a change," he said.
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