By JORDAN MARSHALL

Staff Writer

A war, the underdog becoming the presidential Democratic nominee, the 9/11 Commission heating up, things picking up early in the election year and a surprise trip for the President to Iraq.

These are just some of the highlights of the past year in politics.

When President George W. Bush traveled to Iraq this past Thanksgiving to thank the troops for their hard work, he was putting his life in danger. Bush's 30-hour trip, 27 of which were on the ground, seemed to lift the troops' morale and that of the nation's as well.

Andrew Neilson, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said he was glad Bush went overseas to visit the troops.

"It shows that he supports what he is doing to the utmost, and he's behind the soldiers over there to support the troops and encourage them," Neilson said.

As the nation settled down after the holidays, Gov. Howard Dean became more and more popular. Dean appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone and seemed to be the popular candidate among the younger crowd.

In February, several states held caucuses to elect the Democratic nominee for president.

Sen. John Kerry surprisingly swept the caucuses, winning all but three states and became the Democratic nominee for president.

Burrows Wheless, a freshman photography major, said he supports Kerry because of the policies he wants to change.

"One of the more important issues recently has been civil rights, with the Patriot Act allowing a gross violation of civil rights," Wheless said.

"I am pretty confident Kerry will play a big role in restoring them."

When parties were set with their nominees, the mud slinging began.

The tension between Kerry and Bush is heated and temperatures are still rising.

Dr. Jason Pigg, a professor of social sciences, said the tension between Kerry and Bush is so high because Kerry became the Democratic nominee early on in the year.

"Not this early has the Democratic nominee come out so early; it is unprecedented," Pigg said

Pigg also said other issues that keep the tensions high are the war, the ever-changing economy and the amount of money pouring into both parties.

Bush and Kerry continue to bash each other. Kerry accuses Bush of not fufilling the duties of his job, while the Republican Party says Kerry flip-flops on his stance on certain issues.

"The Republicans have portrayed him as flip-flopping, and I don't think he has been," Pigg said.

Pigg also said Kerry is adjusting and has received good press, but there are certain areas that he needs to work on.

Neilson said he supports Bush, and he thinks Bush has done well under the circumstances.

"I think he's done a real good job; whether or not we should be in Iraq is another story," Neilson said. "He's led us well, and he's done his job as president to take care of America to the best he knows."

Bush has not only been receiving criticism about the war but also about the 9/11 attacks on America. The 9/11 Commission started in April and has received a great deal of media attention.

Neilson said he believes the media has blown the 9/11 Commission out of proportion because everywhere he looks someone is talking about it and it's all over the news.

"It is something that happened, not something we can change now," Neilson said. "We have done the best we can to take action."

Pigg said he thinks the media has contributed to the hype of the commission.

He also said he thinks the White House is harming itself by not disclosing certain documents about the days leading up to the 9/11 attacks.

"I think the information should be made available," Pigg said, "because I think the public should have a right to know."