It’s safe to say that politics are on the minds of Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) students.

Last Thursday morning on a table in the Bothell school’s lounge, a newspaper was open to a page that beamed the headline, “A ‘hockey mom’ gets an expensive makeover.” The story focused on Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and the $150,000 her party spent on clothes for her and her family at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus.

To further prove that point, minutes later in walked SAS seniors Steve Deleeuw and Richie Stauffer to discuss the Nov. 4 elections.

The pair of 18-year-olds are set for their first-time votes.

“It seems like politics are everywhere — everywhere you look,” Deleeuw said in reference to the newspaper article and TV ads. “I’m getting wrapped up in it. It’s the first time I get to have a voice.”

Added Stauffer, who just turned 18 a few weeks ago: “I guess I’m lucky I just turned 18. I have a really good opportunity to elect a different kind of president.

“It’s definitely a big deal for me. My family, they would be mad if I didn’t vote.”

Stauffer’s a Barack Obama man while Deleeuw is a John McCain backer. On the Washington governor race, both guys nodded at each other in their support of Chris Gregoire (see page 1).

On Obama, Stauffer noted: “I like what he’s doing about taxes. Obama seems more inspirational — just more what I believe in.” (His family is on board, as well, with Obama posters and bumper stickers.)

According to Obama’s Web site, his plan delivers broad-based tax relief to middle-class families and cuts taxes for small businesses and companies that create jobs in America.

Deleeuw feels that McCain would make a good president because of his military background. On Iraq, McCain’s goal is that by 2013 most servicemen and women will have returned, the Iraq War will have been won and Iraq will be a functioning democracy, says his Web site.

“He’s seen first hand what war is like,” said Deleeuw, noting that McCain would stand up against war. “I can’t remember where the quote came from, but it says, ‘Military doesn’t start wars, politicians start wars.’”

Overall, both students feel that either a Republican or Democrat could have a positive impact as president. Deleeuw is a registered Republican while Stauffer calls himself liberal, but not a Democrat. (Stauffer is of the Baha’i faith, which allows members to vote but not affiliate themselves with a political party.)

“I would vote for a Republican if I felt they would do a better job,” Stauffer said.

Added Deleeuw: “I have a lot of friends who are Republican voting for someone who’s a Democrat.

“When you put titles on them — Republican or Democrat — it kind of blocks people from seeing what their ideas are. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a Republican or a Democrat, it depends on what your plans are and how good you do.”

SAS seniors share their thoughts

It’s safe to say that politics are on the minds of Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) students.

Last Thursday morning on a table in the Bothell school’s lounge, a newspaper was open to a page that beamed the headline, “A ‘hockey mom’ gets an expensive makeover.” The story focused on Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and the $150,000 her party spent on clothes for her and her family at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus.

To further prove that point, minutes later in walked SAS seniors Steve Deleeuw and Richie Stauffer to discuss the Nov. 4 elections.

The pair of 18-year-olds are set for their first-time votes.

“It seems like politics are everywhere — everywhere you look,” Deleeuw said in reference to the newspaper article and TV ads. “I’m getting wrapped up in it. It’s the first time I get to have a voice.”

Added Stauffer, who just turned 18 a few weeks ago: “I guess I’m lucky I just turned 18. I have a really good opportunity to elect a different kind of president.

“It’s definitely a big deal for me. My family, they would be mad if I didn’t vote.”

Stauffer’s a Barack Obama man while Deleeuw is a John McCain backer. On the Washington governor race, both guys nodded at each other in their support of Chris Gregoire (see page 1).

On Obama, Stauffer noted: “I like what he’s doing about taxes. Obama seems more inspirational — just more what I believe in.” (His family is on board, as well, with Obama posters and bumper stickers.)

According to Obama’s Web site, his plan delivers broad-based tax relief to middle-class families and cuts taxes for small businesses and companies that create jobs in America.

Deleeuw feels that McCain would make a good president because of his military background. On Iraq, McCain’s goal is that by 2013 most servicemen and women will have returned, the Iraq War will have been won and Iraq will be a functioning democracy, says his Web site.

“He’s seen first hand what war is like,” said Deleeuw, noting that McCain would stand up against war. “I can’t remember where the quote came from, but it says, ‘Military doesn’t start wars, politicians start wars.’”

Overall, both students feel that either a Republican or Democrat could have a positive impact as president. Deleeuw is a registered Republican while Stauffer calls himself liberal, but not a Democrat. (Stauffer is of the Baha’i faith, which allows members to vote but not affiliate themselves with a political party.)

“I would vote for a Republican if I felt they would do a better job,” Stauffer said.

Added Deleeuw: “I have a lot of friends who are Republican voting for someone who’s a Democrat.

“When you put titles on them — Republican or Democrat — it kind of blocks people from seeing what their ideas are. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a Republican or a Democrat, it depends on what your plans are and how good you do.”