By Celeste Kennel-Shank
Mennonite Weekly Review

	CNN anchor Rick Sanchez interviews Goshen students who are voting for the first time in the presidential election. — Photo by Josh Gleason/Goshen College
		CNN show times CNN plans to air three-to-five-minute segments of the forum on its shows: American Morning, from 6 to 9 a.m. May 6. CNN Newsroom hosted by Rick Sanchez, from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. May 11. A longer segment will also be available on CNN’s Web site.

“It’s thinking about how issues and politics impact people in a global setting,” said Sheldon Good, a junior from Telford, Pa., studying communication and business, giving his definition of a global perspective to CNN anchor Rick Sanchez.

Mennonites can be patriotic, but should remember they are citizens not only of a nation but of God’s kingdom, he said.

The students highlighted Goshen’s Study-Service Term, through which about two-thirds of students spend a semester in another country, usually in the global South. The students said Goshen’s international education requirement — which most fulfill through SST — helps students view themselves differently as well.

“When you go to another culture, you learn that the way you were raised was not the only way,” said Peter Koontz, a senior history major from Elkhart.

The students also fielded CNN’s questions about issues in the presidential campaign and about the Mennonite peace position.

Sanchez asked what differentiates Mennonites and Amish, saying many people in the United States think of both traditions as antiquated.

The students explained the similar roots of the Anabaptist groups, but said that unlike many plain communties they are part of the broader world.

“I want to engage with people around me,” said Adriel Santiago, a first-year student from Lancaster, Pa.

At one point during the hourlong taping, Sanchez called on the seven students to raise their hands to indicate which presidential candidate they would choose if voting that day. Six raised their hands for Barack Obama and one for Hillary Clinton.

Sanchez asked why no one would vote for John McCain.

Rebecca Fast, a senior social work major from Waterloo, Ont., who is a citizen of the United States and Canada, said she feared McCain would lead the nation into war with Iran.

Fast recently visited Iran as part of a Mennonite Central Committee learning tour.

When asked why the majority supported Obama, the students responded that they appreciated his international experience and community organizing background.

Sanchez also engaged the students in discussion of some of the key issues for many voters.

When asking about abortion and gay marriage, Sanchez noted he had read Mennonites are more conservative on these social issues.

Several students said they had observed that to be generally true, but that they thought a more complete faith-based perspective is important, one that includes considering poverty and other social equity issues.

Sanchez said the show would provide a chance for viewers to learn more about Mennonites, which he came to associate with peace, service and international experience.

“I was taken aback by how the students generally perceived that it’s important to reach out to people and talk to them,” Sanchez said. “They have a global perspective.”

Sanchez said he thought the students were humble.

“They are not going to get in your face and tell you,” he said.

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