The 2008 presidential elections may be one year away, but the College Democrats and Republicans already have plans in motion to prepare for November 2008.

And though the two student organizations differ in what ideals, opinions and candidates they support, Brittany Farrell, chairwoman of the College Republicans, and Tara Ilsley, president of the College Democrats, both agree upon one issue: student involvement in politics is imperative.

“As a club we’re really trying to focus on logistics and education right now,” Farrell said. “The biggest thing is getting students to vote and know where, when and how to vote. We will register anyone.”

Both Farrell and Ilsley said their organizations participate in voter registration drives and try to educate students in the process.

“[The] whole purpose is to get students involved in politics,” Ilsley said. “We did Pack the Polls at the beginning of the semester to get people registered to vote.”

“Before you mobilize you have to educate,” Ilsley said. “[And] you’re not going to get anyone involved unless you mobilize.”

Each group has its own respective opinions about which candidates in its party are the strongest, and ideas on the competition for the presidential elections.

Ilsley said she thinks John McCain and Mayor Rudy Giuliani are the obvious front-runners in the Republican Party, but both are not without flaws.

She said McCain’s stance on the war may cause him to not win the election.

“Even Republicans are fed up with the war,” she said. “A lot of people like [Giuliani] but I think he has a lot of baggage in New York.”

While Ilsley highlights Giuliani’s baggage in New York, Farrell said if she had to title the republican front-runners, she would title Giuliani “commander in chief.”

“Mayor Giuliani is leadership and security,” Farrell said. “His reputation precedes him on [the] important issues [of] the Iraq war and homeland defense.”

Farrell also names, along with Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Governor Mike Huckabee as republican front-runners. She said Huckabee is “extremely strong socially and economically,” while Mitt Romney has a “very strong record [and] strong family values.”

Farrell said the College Republicans’ main priority is to “get Republicans elected as opposed to Democratic challengers.”

Farrell said that the biggest Democratic Party competition comes from Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“With the exception of Mayor Giuliani her name recognition trumps Republican candidates,” she said. “She’s been in the White House and the Congress for so long. Neither Govs. Romney or Huckabee can compete on name recognition without putting money into it.”

Ilsley said the obvious Democratic challengers are Senators Obama, Clinton and former senator Edwards.

“Senator Obama has the capability to inspire people — he’s young and people can relate to him,” Ilsley said. “Edwards is from the south and he has a great stance on the welfare state, poverty and education. Senator Clinton — people know her as a strong, powerful woman. I think it’s great that a woman is running for president.”

Because this is an off-election year, both the College Democrats and Republicans are involved in other campaigns and elections.

The College Democrats are focusing on upcoming local elections in North Carolina.

“What do you do when you leave this bubble?” Ilsley asked. “You’re in the community.”

Ilsley said the College Democrats are phone banking for Paul Anderson, who is running for Raleigh City Council At Large, and canvassing for N.C. Congressman Heath Shuler.

The College Republicans are “organizing a forum of the [North Carolina candidates] for Governor.”

“We have Justice Bob Orr and Fred Smith confirmed,” Farrell said.

Ilsley said there are other events the College Democrats are organizing.

“We’re bringing SICKO to State and talking about it,” she said.

SICKO is a documentary that examines the American health care system.

“We’re suppose to be the world’s superpower and we can’t take care of ourselves,” she said.

Ilsley said the College Democrats are also sponsoring Honor the Fallen, a group that, according to its Web site, honors those who fought and died in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

“[The purpose] is to get students to step outside of our bubble and know that people our age are dying in Iraq,” she said.