“As the youth take a look at the issues and ask themselves if he’s ready to lead, more youth become interested in McCain,” Hall said. “McCain has staked out popular political issues with the youth like climate change, social security and defending our nation. That’s resonating with the youth.”

Hall said despite the media’s infatuation with Obama, it will not factor in when people head to the polls.

Nat Ehrlich, a research specialist with the Institute of Public Policy and Social Research at MSU, disagrees with Hall’s position. He said more young voters will switch to Obama. Ehrlich began a study of MSU students that started in November 2007 and it has been through nine waves of polling, the most recent being in early August.

“We started out with 18 candidates between the two parties and now we’re left with two candidates,” Ehrlich said. “I would say that there has been more movement from the general ranks of Republican candidates to Democrats than the other way around.”

Louie Glinzak, press secretary with MSU College Republicans, said there is a large conservative presence at MSU, but it prefers to work behind the scenes unlike Obama supporters.

“McCain people might not be the most boisterous, but it comes down to the silent majority and who shows up on Election Day,” Glinzak said.

Glinzak said members are staying involved by bringing speakers to campus, such as 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos on Tuesday, compiling a mailing list and constructing a victory center in Lansing.

Still, Ehrlich said there is a “plurality” of liberal students involved in his study, which can be extrapolated to include the MSU student population.