Block Talk

Every week, the Vanguard interviews members of the Portland State community in the Park Blocks and asks them a timely question. This week’s question:

Nick Miller, a staff member in Portland State’s School of Social Work, 34, is optimistic about President Barack Obama being reelected. “I think his policies will benefit more people in the country,” Miller said. “Although the economy has been recovering slowly, I think it’s on a path where we want to be as a country. More so than the policies Mitt Romney and the Republicans had.”

Melanie Atkison, a women’s studies junior, 22, is relieved that Obama was reelected. “I’m really glad my rights as a woman didn’t get violently yanked away from me, which I was scared was going to happen,” Atkison said. “I didn’t have a lot of faith in a lot of the states that didn’t care about women, gay people or anyone but rich white people.”

Mitch Slattery, a junior biology major, 20, is happy with the results, but surprised that Mitt Romney was ahead in the beginning. “I’m happy that Obama pulled ahead,” Slattery said. “Romey’s such a terrible person, it amazes me every time someone votes for someone like that.”

Ivory Farrell, a junior biology major, 20, is relieved with the results and feels Romney would have been an embarrassment. “I think it would have been terrible if Romney had won. I might have moved to Mexico, so I’m happy Obama won,” Farrell said. “When Obama talks, he seems very genuine, but Romney seems so scripted.”

Nathan Richards, a mechanical engineering sophomore, 20, is satisfied with not only the results, but also the vote toll. “Barack won by a relatively close margin in the popular vote, but he crushed in the Electoral College, and that’s the best representation in an election,” Richards said. “I think it was a landslide in that fashion, and I’m pretty happy about it.”

Brenden Luworo, a freshman architecture major, 18, thinks the election was a close but fair race. “There wasn’t really as big of a chance this time of it being unfair, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the losing party complaining about it too much,” Luworo said. “Obama did win fair and square.”

Lauren Krueger, an electrical engineering senior, 22, is thrilled but slightly disappointed by the election results. “For my reproductive rights and health care, I guess I don’t have to worry so much about my future now,” Krueger said. “Locally, I’m a little disappointed in Oregon, but I didn’t think that we would legalize pot this time around. Hopefully, next time around, Measure 80 will pass.”

Jennifer Cox, a community health sophomore, 27, is excited that Obama won over Romney and the Republican Party. “I agree with his general premise, where he’s taking the country, and I wanted to see how much further he can take it without the reelection,” Cox said. “The general Republican line is not something I agree with, and differs from the general Democratic line that Obama was doing.”

Erick Benick, a junior English major, 23, is relieved by the election results and has faith in Obama’s plans. “I believe in my heart that Obama is going to go all the way to the left with it and is going to work on socializing health care, work on legalizing gay marriage and hopefully keep inflation rates low with student loans,” Benick said. “I’m pretty straight up with most of his policies.”

Olivia Riggs, a communications sophomore, 22, is glad that Obama is serving for a second term and acknowledges Romney’s close run. “Good job to Mitt Romney for all that he did and trying to become our president, but I think the better man won,” Riggs said. “I believe that Obama believes in all of our hopes and dreams and it’s his dream to see us pursue our dreams.”