C-SPAN Bus Drives Politics to Campus

By MOLLY HODGES

The Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) established itself as a multimedia trailblazer when the Campaign 2012 Bus arrived on the University of Mary Washington campus on Thursday, Sept. 28.

UMW students and the Fredericksburg community were allowed to tour the technologically-advanced bus and were asked to share what issues will be most important to them in the upcoming election.

The bus was designed to be interactive, with several televisions and computers that visitors were invited to use. Visitors were encouraged to use social media sites and were able to download a free C-SPAN application for their phone or tablet.

Chris Demanche, C-SPAN representative, said that the non-partisan bus is traveling through Virginia to target first-time voters and those who are politically active. The bus was set up to highlight C-SPAN’s coverage of the campaigning and to teach visitors about C-SPAN.

Before the tours began, Stephen Farnsworth, UMW political science and international affairs professor, recorded an interview with C-SPAN where he addressed the role that Virginia, as a battleground state, will play in the upcoming election.

According to Farnsworth, Virginia will be one of the most competitive states during the election. Farnsworth responded to electronic communications and telephone calls during the interview.

Farnsworth’s interview is available online in the C-SPAN video library.

Sophomore Berkley Schmidt said she was pleased that the bus visited UMW. “I like it whenever we get things here that bring attention to Mary Washington,” said Schmidt.