As the final week before Election Tuesday begins, nobody seems to have any answers as to just who or who may not hold the lead in this year’s presidential election. As more and more politicos seem to agree that the House may yet again remain in control of the Republicans, the White House race seems just too close to call. In fact, the word “chaos” seems as apt as a descriptor as any. Charlie Cook, of the highly respected Cook Political Report has suggested that for the second time since the 2000 election, the winner of the popular vote might not be the winner of the Electoral College vote. This scenario was of course thought to be highly improbable, and had been a rare occurrence in American presidential politics. Then came the presidential election of 2000, an election still studied as an anomaly, a once in a thousand years occurrence. The idea that it could happen again, as improbable as it may seem now, is not impossible.

If there is one thing that this election cycle has proven, it is that there are still plenty of factors that could turn this race at any moment. Before Denver, there were few that thought much could hurt the Democratic incumbent in the race. Since his lackluster debate and the Republican candidate’s stellar performance in that first encounter, the race has tightened considerable, despite two other debates since then.

It would be foolish to downplay the possibility that something could, even at this late stage in the race, upset the race in favor of one candidate or the other. One wild card that could have an influence might be the recently passed Hurricane Sandy, which is even now continuing to cause problems up and down the Eastern seaboard. From New York to North Carolina, millions have been devastated. The next few days will be crucial for the current incumbent. All eyes will be on the White House to gauge his response to the latest natural disaster to strike the U.S., and the President is acutely aware of this.

But when it’s all said and done, will Sandy really have an impact on the race? It’s too early to tell, but with Katrina still on the minds of many around the country, a repeat of 2005 would almost certainly spell disaster for the President. Mr. Romney, on the other hands, has had to answer to some inquiries of his own, as many have taken a second look at his stances on disaster relief, which include giving more autonomy to the states or the private sector in times of crises. Rhetoric or not, it has raised questions about how the challenger would respond to a crisis of this scale. For anyone still undecided this late in the race, there is certainly no shortage of information of advertisements coming from both sides of the aisle, but ultimately what could decide this race could be out of the hands of either party.

Speakers thumped out bass-heavy remixes while flashing neon lights danced through a fog machine. Blue banners hung behind the make-shift stage and from the third floor balcony of Witherspoon Student Center, matching the rectangular area on Harris Field bound by Obama yard signs. This was all part of Wolfpack for Obama’s event featuring Rock the Vote with Passion Pit. Two members of the band took turns playing a DJ set, featuring remixes of popular songs and random assortments of beats. The crowd awkwardly toe-tapped during the 6:00 p.m. set. They did take the time out, however, to say, “I don’t care who you vote for. Obama, Gary Johnson, whatever. Just don’t say Romney, because you’re educated. You know better.”

Musicians have been using their celebrity to try to persuade fans’ political opinions for ages, but with the upcoming presidential election and accessibility to every kind of social media platform, we’re seeing more of it than ever before: email blasts, tweets, Facebook posts, Tumblr reposts, stage banter and of course, the sharing of infamous memes. Some artists just want to end the apathy of voting by teaming up with nonpartisan voter registration organizations like HeadCount and Rock the Vote. Wilco, for example, took a team of volunteers with them for every American tour date this year to canvas the audience.

Others want to voice their opinions about politics not so subtly. Many local artists during the spring Shakori discussed voting against Amendment One and what that vote would mean to them — informational calls to action without any sugarcoating. Like Passion Pit, other artists have participated in rallies, forums and concerts supporting a particular candidate or party. President Obama’s reelection campaign has been supported by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Jay-Z, Beyonce (and probably Blue Ivy, too), Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Jon Bon Jovi, Kanye West, Dave Matthews, The National, Pete Wentz, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Joel Madden, Jason Mraz, Gwen Stefani, David Grohl, Cyndi Lauper, Adam Levine and more. In 2008, Durham-based Merge Records hosted Obama rallies featuring their artists, including Grammy-winner Arcade Fire. Superchunk, Baobab and Future Kings of Nowhere have more or less live tweeted the recent debates, not being shy whatsoever about their thoughts.

It’s harder to find the same allegiance among musicians on the conservative side.  This year’s Republican National Convention’s lineup included Oak Ridge Boys, Conrad Oberg, Lynyrd Skynyrd,  Philip Alongi, Neal E. Boyd, Lane Turner, Randy Owen, Jack Blades, 3 Doors Down, Ayla Brown, Beau Davidson, The Kantinas, Danny Gokey, Taylor Hicks and BeBe Winans. Nicki Minaj, despite having Obama’s endorsement in her fight against Mariah Carey, favors Romney on Lil Wayne’s newest mixtape. The Killers, who Romney allegedly enjoys, would “be open” to performing in support of the candidate.

Now, it’s not all that surprising that musicians tend to lean towards more liberal views. The imbalance is interesting though. Why do so few indie bands (that aren’t offered to play big gigs) publicly support conservative ideas and candidates? And if there were a “Wolfpack for Romney” group on campus, who would they get to perform? Even in the 2008 election, there was a significant difference in musicians’ support between parties. Hank Williams Jr. and Gretchen Wilson were among the most prominent McCain supporters.

Is this just a genre division? If you’re trying to reach younger voters through music, what’s the best way to accomplish this?

When EOT aired March 29, the past 24 hours had brought destruction to North Carolina and casualties in Moscow. Newscaster Evan Garris broke down those stories and more in News. Sports takes a look at the Wolfpack’s performance on the diamond, the editorial gave a look inside the Eye of the… storm . Student Media hosted a debate between top-tier Student Government candidates, Correspondent Jacob Downey talked to the co-president of N.C. Skate and Chris Cioffi got the story behind that infamous silver key.

NEWS

News correspondent Evan Garris gave the details of this week’s top local, national and international headlines.

EF-1 tornado touches down in Person County

Two students in flood-induced accident

Homes throughout N.C., Va. damaged in storm

Moscow suidice bombings leave 38 dead, 60 wounded

Obama, in Afghanistan, congratulates Karzai on anti-Taliban campaign

Raleigh-Cary area ranks 49th, population-wise, in U.S. Census

SPORTS
Tyler Everett capped up this week in Wolfpack sports.

To hear how the Pack did play by play, listen here.

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EDITORIAL

• Storm alerts interrupted programming, including the Duke game against Baylor. Twitter and local blogs erupted with complaints.  The alerts did, indeed, alert, but left fans and evening television watchers agitated.

• The FCC requires TV stations to relay weather warnings via the Emergency Alert system their broadcasting license.

• Despite the unplanned interruption and programming rollback, the alerts are essential and can — and did — help save lives.

If you have a response to this editorial or any part of tonight’s show, contact us on twitter at WKNCEOT, look for us on Facebook at Eye on the Triangle, or shoot an email to publicaffairs@wknc.org.

VIP

In lieu of Student Body Elections, which are causing, if not a stir, then a paper and sandwich board trail around campus. Student Media invited top-tier Student Government candidates—Student Body Treasurer, Student Senate President and Student Body President—to contribute their platforms and ideas on questions that moderators Mike Alston and Saja Hindi asked. Listen to their answers in their entirety here.

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COMMUNITY CANVAS

Correspondent Chris Cioffi caught up with Lillian Jones to discuss how she develops ideas for the Raleigh Treasure Hunt in which she invited all of Raleigh to follow clues that lead to a silver key. Whoever found it won a prize from her jewelry store. Cioffi talked to Jones about the event and about her ideas for future hunts. He also spoke to her about the recent publicity the hunt has been receiving, like this story in the News and Observer.

Later, he sat down in the studio with this year’s winner, Team Clueless. Solving the puzzle in one day, Team Clueless quickly snagged the newest pendant. Their quick solving methods shattered the reigning champ’s time, almost three months. He spoke to them about their previous treasure hunt experiences, as well as their experience with The Raleigh Treasure Hunt. They spoke about channeling Ms. Jones’s thinking process to get an edge on solving the clues, as well as how their individual talents came together to make the perfect solving force.

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WOLFPACKER OF THE WEEK

Eye on the Triangle’s Wolfpacker of the Week is a sophomore working on a degree in construction engineering and management and is also the co-president of the Skateboarding Club.  Correspondent Jacob Downey spoke to the Matt Brokaw, co-president of N.C. Skate, the University’s skating club. As one of the club’s founders, Brokaw has worked to help transition the club from a collective of enthusiasts and hobbyists into a competitive body able to represent the University at intercollegiate meets. An avid skater since getting his first board at 11 years old, Brokaw said he enjoys promoting skating through service projects like N.C. State’s Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser, Shack-A-Thon, and hosting fundraisers for Grind for Life.  One of the things he enjoys about his involvement with the NCSU Club Sport is the mentor relationship between experienced skaters and beginners. For more information on the NCSU skateboarding club visit http://www.skatewall.com/ncstate/about.html or pop in at one of their biweekly meetings in Riddick Hall Room 339 at 8 p.m. The next one is April 7. You can also hang out with the skaters behind the Free Expression Tunnel as the group hosts the “H.O.R.S.E.” inspired game of ” S.T.A.T.E.” on Saturday afternoon, April 10.

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