Bully Pulpit?

Well-coiffed Democratic candidate John Edwards was on the College of Charleston campus last night for a rousing rally that in theory was part of the Bully Pulpit series.

For those not familiar with the College of Charleston's Bully Pulpit series, let Gawker CHS enlighten you. C of C's communications department has hosted what is, in theory, a series that brings presidential candidates from both parties to campus to discuss, and we quote, "...such topics as the frequency of press conferences, the candidate's relationship with journalists, and the power of the president to persuade." Unquote. We think this is a tremendous idea. Well done, C of C. Republican candidates Ron Paul and John McCain both answered students questions during their appearances earlier in the year, but as the election cycle heated up, things turned ugly.

Senator Barack Obama's appearance in the College's Cistern Yard several weeks ago was the turning point for the Bully Pulpit-ing, which went from informative and neutral to INCREDIBLY biased in two shakes of a Persian kitten's tail. Gawker CHS had the good fortune (not to mention patience---the line was redic) to witness this historic occasion, and without further ado, we present our case as to why we think the College's behavior was inappropriate:

Exhibit A. Video of the event on C of C's website. Check it out. There's yelling, there's cheering, there's signage, there's general discontent at the length of Senator John Kerry's speech.

Exhibit B. There was not ONE question from the audience taken during the Obama event.

Exhibit C. Obama did not at any point discuss, "the frequency of press conferences, the candidate's relationship with journalists, and the power of the president to persuade." Nada. Nothing at all. What did he discuss? (Two guesses.) Ok, who guessed change and hope? You did?! Y'all are geniuses. We mean that.

In conclusion, when the good people that are CNN's viewers and the New York Times' readers checked out the news, all they saw was the campus touting Senator Obama's candidacy. This was, basically, a campaign endorsement by the College of Charleston. Maybe Gawker CHS was unaware of a homecoming-band-style vote that took place to determine this move, but we're pretty sure no one polled the audience.

We digress.

The real heart of the matter is that this bastardization of the Bully Pulpit was perpetuated last night at the Edwards rally. Gawker CHS understands that like all celebs, presidential hopefuls have a tight schedule. But if the rumors are true and Senator Obama's campaign refused to come to the College in any other forum except a rally, then we should be truly peeved, if for no other reason than it opened the door for the Edwards campaign to make better use of its audience, rally-style, than follow the rules.

We know we're grumpy, but come on, C of C. You're given the Golden Ticket of Colleges: the chance to have presidential candidates hang out on our campus. And what do you do? You blow it. You let them walk all over you. College of Charleston, you are like that maid that Naomi Campbell threw a phone at.

Go to your room and think about what you've done to the next generation of American voters.