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Augustana College Republicans continue to watch campaign unfold

Republican supporters at Augustana College have followed each of the debates very closely. Since the first debate in August, they’ve watched Donald Trump ...

Republican supporters at Augustana College have followed each of the debates very closely. Since the first debate in August, they've watched Donald Trump hold onto a lead in the polls, something they find surprising.

"Personally, I thought, and talking with a lot of my friends, we thought his lead and popularity would start decreasing, but if anything, the crazier things he says, the more it`s gone up, his popularity," Augustana College senior Austin Schoeck said.

For Schoeck, one of those statements, about temporarily preventing non-American Muslims from coming into the country, is something he wishes could be taken back.

"It gives the party a bad name, I think, and puts a bad taste in people`s mouth about Republicans after that comment," Schoeck said.

One other issues these students have seen during the debates is the number of candidates on the stage. They feel it's taking away from the major issues that will impact their lives.

"The initial reaction is not good because there are so many people, how can I choose one because they`re so divided on the issues, how they can`t get together on anything," Augustana College sophomore Joseph Cross said.

Cross also feels the Republican candidates may be missing out on the big pool of supporters by not talking more about issues like education.

"They`re talking about ISIS and immigration and stuff. It`s not like we don`t care about that stuff, but it`s not what impacts us the most as students and young people," Cross said.

As the debates continue, these students believe that the plans and polices of the top candidates will be what determines the nominee.

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