Democrats are hoping Nov. 5 will be a day of celebration for Vincent Sheheen, and newly-elected Democratic legislators across the state.
Vice President Joe Biden came to Columbia on Tuesday to speak at a voter rally in the Allen University auditorium to promote voter turnout among college students.
The building filled to capacity as 1,100 people came out to listen to what U.S. Rep. James Clyburn called “the beginning of the mobilization for a new day in South Carolina.”
The get-out-to-vote rally revolved largely around the upcoming gubernatorial election among incumbent Republican Nikki Haley, Democrat Vincent Sheheen, Independent Tom Ervin, Libertarian Steve French and United Citizens Party candidate Morgan Bruce Reeves.
“This is an important election, to state the obvious,” Biden said. “I am optimistic. The reason I am is because I see all of you.”
Biden discussed the necessity of making America’s workforce the most highly skilled in the country through investment in community colleges and universities. He emphasized the need to reward the middle class for their hard work.
“A job’s about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your dignity,” Biden said. “Too many people today are struggling with being able to say, ‘it’s going to be okay.’”
According to Biden, 52 percent of Americans said a college education isn’t worth it because they can’t incur the debt. He focused on the importance of a college education, and cited the Pell grants given out to help students afford their education.
He criticized the GOP, and Haley in particular, for not following through on claims that they value issues such as education.
“Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget — I will tell you what you value,” Biden said. “The idea that [Republicans] value the same things we do is just so far from the truth.”
The main point of Biden’s speech was to convince attendees to vote, especially young and black voters. He gave evidence regarding the importance of coming out to vote, and said that if six percent of the black population that voted in 2008 did not vote, Republicans would have won Florida.
“We’re in a situation now where when one voice is diminished, everyone is diminished,” Biden said. “We have to get the vote out. We have to move forward … it’s not about Barack Obama or Joe Biden. It’s about the American people having the right to vote for the leader they want.”
He encouraged young voters to be leaders in the time still to come before the Nov. 4 election.
“You students are about to live through one of the most exciting times in history. America is on the precipice of being the economic leader for the rest of the first half of this century,” Biden said. “All we have to do is use our heads.”
Many of the students that attended the rally were motivated to do just that.
Scott Masterson, a first-year political science student who volunteered at the event, came out for the opportunity to support some of the politicians he respects.
“I believe that Mr. Sheheen would make a great governor and, well, it’s always nice to meet Joe Biden,” Masterson said.
Third-year political science and women and gender studies student Maxine Todd skipped two classes to attend the midday rally, but she said the experience was worthwhile.
“It was very cool to be able to support Joe Biden and the Democratic ticket, getting that excitement going that we need if we’re going to win the election,” Todd said.
Even students not from South Carolina were motivated by the rally.
“There are so many issues that South Carolina can improve upon, and I think Joe Biden is the perfect person to voice those issues,” said third-year business student Iris Bos, an international student from Holland. “It’s just great to see he also cares about South Carolina.”
Biden hopes that these students, as well as other voters, help the South Carolina Democratic Party reach their goals come election day.
“It’s time for us to stand up and make no apologies for what we believe in … and when we do, you will elect a new governor. You will elect a new legislature. And you will begin to change not only the South, but begin to change the country,” Biden said. “We are on the precipice of potentially a new day.”