Six reasons why 2016 presidential candidates should speak at USD

1. We’re a college campus in South Dakota.

To get the Millennial vote in 2016, candidates are going to have to make education a priority and any campaign traveling through this area would be smart to stop at a place full of college students.

2. We’re pretty split on politics.

College campuses are generally more liberal than the areas around them, and USD is no exception. I’ve met people from both ends of the political spectrum here and people are very involved in current events. A college campus in this red state is a good place for Democrats to pick up some votes and a good place for the Republicans to try to steal some.

3. We’re on the edge.

USD and Vermillion are smack dab in the middle of two cities. Within an hour, candidates could make campaign speeches in Sioux Falls, the biggest city in South Dakota, and Sioux City, which just so happens to be in the battleground state of Iowa.

4. We have some pretty good bread.

Mister Smith’s was featured in the 2002 issue of Oprah Magazine for best bread in the world. Running for president is hard work and a candidate can’t do it on an empty stomach!

5. Diversity.

Colleges are melting pots of cultures, ideas and people. By speaking here a candidate could talk about almost any topic and still be able to appeal to a certain demographic of voter.

6. We’re the future.

Whether the two big parties in the United States like it or not, we’re the future of the country. By engaging with us now, their respective parties could benefit from our votes, and the votes of our future families in the long run.