College students on politics

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat

So I decided to learn for myself a little more about what college students actually know about the historic events taking place in Washington, and how qualified they are to make such a case for the president. In the course of about a week, I took to the campus and asked 50 students some impeachment-related questions. In an effort not to embarrass or offend, I will restrain from exposing the respondents' identity, in an effort to protect the ignor - I mean innocent.

Some responses made me mad. Quite a few made me laugh. Mostly, it gave me a better idea of where much of America is coming from in their attitudes toward this critical national debate.

First, I asked the basic question: "Impeachment, support or oppose?" The responses were quiet similar to those we have seen time and time again:

Oppose Impeachment: 31.

Support Impeachment: 15

Not Sure: 4

Okay, so maybe most people really are opposed to giving Clinton the boot. Next, I wanted to explore the basis upon which such judgments are based.

Question No. 2: "Has the president been impeached yet?"

Yes: 12

No: 38

Question No. 3: Upon my refreshing the respondents' memories that the president had indeed been impeached by the House, I asked "Why?"

Having sex with Monica Lewinsky: 33

Not telling the truth: 11

Not sure: 6

Question No. 4: "Is Clinton the first president ever to be impeached? If not, who else?"

No, Richard Nixon was also: 38

No, Andrew Johnson was also: 5

Yes, Clinton is the first: 3

Not sure: 4

Question No. 5: "Can you tell me the name of one of the impeachment trial managers?"

Ken Starr: 16

Trent Lott: 8

Newt Gingrich: 5

Henry Hyde: 4

Not Sure: 17

Question No. 6: "Can you tell me the name of the Chief Justice who is presiding over the hearings?"

Trent Lott: 15

Henry Hyde: 12

William Rehnquist: 6

Not Sure: 17

Question No. 7: "What happens to the president if the Senate votes to convict him?"

Removed from office: 30

Goes to Jail: 12

Pays a Fine: 4

Not Sure: 4

Question No. 8: (This one is my personal favorite) "Who becomes president if Bill Clinton is removed from office?"

Al Gore: 22

Hillary Clinton: 15

George Bush: 5

Bob Dole: 4

Not Sure: 4

As for the correct answers to these questions, I will not provide them here. I refuse to do so in an effort not to offend the common sense, or waste but a moment of the time of those who are aware. If anyone does care to know, please feel free to inquire via e-mail.

My intentions here are not to embarrass or belittle those who are less knowledgeable than they should be on this matter. But is it too much to ask that students, educated students, know the very basics about their government? I say no.

What does all this mean? Well, it means a lot of things. First, it is clear that a majority of students polled clearly do not read a newspaper - apparently not even the headlines - or watch the nightly news, where nearly all of these issues are addressed on a daily basis.

Also, this study serves as a better understanding of the preparation and ability of the American citizenry to make and hold an educated opinion on this matter.

Look, everyone does not need to know everything about politics and government, and all people have areas of interest that are certainly more developed than others, but one cannot help but question the influence of the opinion of an individual who thinks that Hillary Clinton will become president should her husband be removed.

So please, wake up. This is your country. There are people in this world who would give anything, who would give their lives, to live in a nation like ours.