It’s not unusual for George Washington students to gather and talk about politics. But for 10 undergraduate and graduate students, their conversation about the 2012 Republican presidential candidates was aired around the country.
Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren visited George Washington’s Marvin Center in late December to speak with students—Shiah Shahmohammadi, Phil Gardner, Audra Achiu, Michael Komo, Jeremy Iloulian, Julia Brown, Alex Miller, Amelia Wolf, Spencer Dixon and Danny Wein—about their favorite GOP candidates and the issues that are important to them. Ms. Van Susteren also spoke with students from Howard University and Liberty University.
The series, “Road to 2012: America’s Future,” aired nationally Dec. 26-28 as part of “On The Record with Greta Van Susteren.”
Ms. Van Susteren said George Washington was the “ideal place” to get perspectives on the upcoming election.
“We know that today’s students are smart and are thinking not only about their futures, but also thinking deeply about the issues,” she said. “The students did a wonderful job and provided unique insight into what issues matter the most to youth voters in 2012.”
Mr. Dixon, political affairs director for GW College Democrats, said Ms. Van Susteren was a “great conversation starter.” The students fielded questions from Ms. Van Susteren on the issues they care most about—the economy and jobs creation were high on their list—the role of the media in politics and the importance of the Iowa caucus every election cycle.
“[Ms. Van Susteren] is really friendly and seemed really genuine,” said Mr. Dixon. “It was a very legitimate conversation.”
Ms. Wolf, assistant director of public relations for GW College Republicans, said opportunities like this one are what drew her to George Washington.
“It’s always great to get out and share your opinions and talk about what you believe, especially being in a school that’s so politically active,” she said. “This is the reason I came to GW. I wanted to be in Washington—that’s where the action is.”
Calling himself a “political nerd,” Mr. Dixon said being around so many politically passionate students is what makes George Washington unlike any university in the country.
“It’s nice being in an environment where you have politically active people all together and you get to discuss the issues with each other,” he said. “It’s something that’s really unique about GW.”