Most NJ college students are pretty sharp! Note the last paragraph of this story at the link below--about how they watched the debate on CSpan so they wouldn't be subject to some "talking head's" agenda.
I'm posting this because the laughing phenomenon is something I've noticed ever since this term started. If I even mention the word "Bush," my students start laughing. I posted about this before but now it has happened several other times and even at other schools where I've been a guest speaker. Just mention "bush" and the guffaws begin. This says to me that students find bush a joke.
I did read somewhere that 75% of NJ college students are for Kerry but I can't recall where I saw it.
There are several other private universities in the area where this school is located. I teach at one of the other ones although now I'm thinking I'd fit in great at this university. Maybe I'll apply for a new job :) .
<snip>
Drew students cheer Kerry, laugh at Bush watching first debate MADISON -- A mostly Democratic, standing-room crowd of more than 80 students and a handful of faculty jammed a café in the student center on the Drew University campus Thursday night to watch the first presidential debate.
The event was hosted by the school's newly organized Political Science Club, along with College Democratic and College Republican Clubs. Chips and salsa were consumed by the crowd along with the rhetoric of the candidates.
Hoots and hollers erupted now and again as the debate progressed on a big-screen TV tuned to C-Span network.
Mostly, there was applause for Kerry; laughter at Bush. Spontaneous comments included, "Oh come on, you can come up with a better argument than that," and "I can't believe he (Bush) is in office."
<snip>
More at:
http://www.dailyrecord.com/news/articles/news1-Debate.htmCher