All across campus, students are preparing for voting season.

“Politics is an important topic,” said Simone Depew, a sophomore public relations and political science major. “I think a lot of us try to stay informed.”

To prepare students for the upcoming election, Jerk magazine and Syracuse University College Democrats are sponsoring a talk by Matt Taibbi, a reporter for Rolling Stone magazine, at Maxwell Auditorium on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Taibbi is expected to discuss his journalistic experience, recent writing, pop culture and this year’s election. Following the speaking engagement, Jerk magazine will host an interview, according to the event’s Facebook page.

Though sponsored by SU College Democrats, the event stresses non partisan affiliation.

“I am proud to be involved with an organization that promotes voting and registration, no matter what the party,” Gabrielle Levy, communications director for SU College Democrats, said in an email.

Taibbi, author of the Rolling Stone political blog, Taibblog, has appeared in well-known media outlets such as Democracy Now, the Huffington Post and MSNBC to discuss current electoral and political issues.

Most recently, his thoughts on Wall Street’s underlying discrepancies and Mitt Romney’s financial relations with Bain Capital have received praise, according to Tiabblog.

His latest book “Griftopia: Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, and the Long Con that is Breaking America,” touches on the 2008 Wall Street bailout and its effects on the United States’ political party structure. Taibbi is expected to speak about these topics, according to the event’s page.

“I think Taibbi will be sparking some debate and getting students involved who otherwise might not be,” said Depew, the sophomore public relations and political science major.

Both the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications boast a student body full of politically and journalistically intuitive students, so Levy said she expects a large turnout.

“I’m a huge fan of Matt Taibbi,” she said. “He is one of the main reasons I want to work with Rolling Stone magazine. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to hear him speak and hear his political commentary in such a crucial time.”

Colin Crowley, president of SU College Democrats and a columnist for The Daily Orange, said in an email that SU students recognize Taibbi as a well-known writer and are excited to see him speak.

“Taibbi is an experienced political journalist that manages to connect with his audience by using humor and being relatable,” he said.

Crowley said one of the main goals of having Taibbi speak at SU is to better educate students on the upcoming election.

Said Crowley: “We’re hoping it’ll give students a perspective on the election that students can really understand, and will not only motivate them to vote, but to vote for the candidate that they can resolutely believe has their true interest at heart.”

Published on September 12, 2012 at 1:47 am

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu