The presidential election was a hot topic on Saturday as different political organizations attempted to stimulate political awareness before the Homecoming game.
Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic Parties distributed stickers and talked politics prior to the game.
The Republican organizations at UT, including Vols for Bush and the Young Republicans, worked their way through the crowd passing out stickers.
“We’ve had an awesome response. People have been taking well to our organization,” Nathan C. Fortner, junior in political science and history, said, sporting a “Vols for Bush” sticker.
The Republican Party held a tailgating party and disbursed free hotdogs and drinks in a parking lot near Neyland Stadium.
“It’s been successful,” Gary Drinnen, Republican campaign manager for the second congressional district, said. “We’ve had over 900 people come by, get a hotdog and talk about politics.”
The Kerry supporters took their stance on the steps in front of Hodges Library on Volunteer Avenue.
“There are certainly more Bush supporters than Kerry, but not many undecided,” Eric G. Castater, graduate student in political science, said. “The energies on both sides are very high.”
Vols for Kerry distributed literature and other promotional items to people who were interested.
“(There is a) pretty good amount of people taking stickers, but of course there are some disrespectful people, too,” Shahrzad A. Rahbau, junior in psychology, said.
“I think it is an excellent thing to get the students involved with,” Christopher Kozel, freshman in advertising, said, taking a Kerry/Edwards sticker.
Not everyone welcomed the political discourse. Some fans preferred football without election talk, including J.J. Holloway.
“Keep politics out of football,” Holloway said.
According to city councilman and chairman for the district, Joe Bailey, the purpose of the tailgating party and the sticker distribution is to create enthusiasm for the campaign and to raise awareness. While he said they will not be able to tailgate every game, the groups for Bush plan to combine efforts again and distribute stickers.
