Last week’s vice presidential debate between Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin drew a record number of viewers.

According to the Nielsen poll, approximately 70 million viewers tuned in to this historic debate. The uniqueness of having a woman vice presidential candidate made this debate even more meaningful.

“Vice presidential campaigns are normally not very important, but obviously the interest and novelty concerning Palin put this one into a category of its own,” said Jeff Diamond, a professor of political science.

The candidates used obvious tactics from organized talking points, rather than just answering the question posed, according to Diamond. Palin seemed to use more prepared talking points, but Biden seemed to attack presidential candidate Senator John McCain directly.

With the recent economic troubles, focus has shifted heavily on the candidates and their approach to solving this problem. Since the financial trouble hit, polls have turned in favor of Senator Barack Obama and McCain has been put on the defensive side. According to the Gallop Poll, Obama leads McCain 52 percent to 41 percent.

The only way for people to voice their opinions is to get out there and vote. Recently, Marcia Dempsey, a volunteer with voter registration, has been on campus attempting to get students registered to vote.

“We have given out a lot of information and handed out a lot of blank registration forms,” Dempsey said.

According to Dempsey the feedback has been completely positive. On Monday, 18 students registered to vote, a turnout that Dempsey considers to be a success.

Students should not be intimidated by the Obama décor. Dempsey insures all students that they can sign up with whatever party they so choose.

The push for young voters to actually show up on Election Day is key to the success of this election.

“I think young voters will decide the election,” Dempsey said. “It is absolutely critical that they go out and vote.”

Chelsea Tasi, 19, is a first time voter and recently decided to register so that her voice would be heard in the election. She hadn’t registered previously because she had been procrastinating.

“Everyone complains about not having their voices heard and this is their opportunity to make a difference,” Tasi said.According to Tasi, the registration process is very simple and quick. Dempsey will be in the quad next Tuesday, Oct. 14 and Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 10 to 2 registering people to vote. For more information log on to www.shapethefuture.org.