- Title: 'Go Blue!' A heady mix of football and politics in crucial state of Michigan
- Date: 2nd November 2024
- Summary: ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 2, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MARCHING BAND BEFORE U.S. COLLEGE FOOTBAL GAME VS.UNIVERSITY OF OREGON CHEERLEADERS VARIOUS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, STUDENTS, LUKE ELLERSTEIN AND MATT GRAY, PLAYING FOOTBALL ARRIVING FOR PRE-GAME PARTY CHEERS WITH SOLO CUPS (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIVE
- Embargoed: 16th November 2024 23:06
- Keywords: Ann Arbor Harris Michigan Trump University of Michigan rust belt swing state youth vote
- Location: ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES
- City: ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES
- Country: US
- Topics: North America,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA001668502112024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Gameday in Ann Arbor on Saturday (November 2) meant the usual tailgates and marching in blue and yellow outfits, as the University of Michigan prepared to face off against the number one ranked team in college football, University of Oregon.
But with the U.S. presidential election already underway, politics was also in the air in the crucial swing state.
"Kamala was here last week… the energy is very exciting," said University of Michigan, student, Luke Ellerstein. "I was even a little surprised. I thought a lot of the young voters don't really care that much. They're like, 'Oh I got time. Like my vote doesn't matter.' No, like genuinely the energy here is very, very much directed at that presidential election."
Along with fellow rust belt states Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Michigan has been a bellwether in the Trump era. In 2016, the Republican Presidential candidate won the state by just 10,000 votes.
And his supporters were certainly visible in liberal Ann Arbor.
"A friend of mine went to buy a car the other day, 8% interest just to buy a vehicle. Right? If you look at the housing market, rent's doubled," said Michigan online coach, Jason Andrich, decked out in Trump red. "One thing near and dear to me, my daughter's nine and I don't want her to play against biological boys in sports. Right? So I think this swing state is going to go red this time."
And while much has been made of the Arab-American vote in Michigan as conflict in the Middle East continues, attention is also focused on young men in the state.
"A lot of people's biggest argument is like, 'Kamala Harris says, that she's going to be doing this, this and this, but she's already been in office for four years. Why hasn't she already done it?'" said student, Taseen Akand, who was cooking for donations to be made to Bangladesh before the game. "That is a very valid point."
With concerns high about voting security and violence after the election, partisans in Ann Arbor are remaining positive.
"Whatever happens, I am guessing there's going to be at least 80 million of us who feel the same way," said Michigan mother, Mary Susan Patek, who was handing out leaflets for Harris on campus. "I hope we're celebrating. And if the outcome is different, we're togther and with hope and with strength, we'll get through whatever comes our way."
(Production by: Imad Creidi, Dan Fastenberg) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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