In a final attempt to reach college students, U.S. 5th Congressional District candidate Mark McCracken spoke at a rally Sunday afternoon along with Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre.
About 50 students were at the rally held on the lawn of Sigma Alpha Epislon fraternity, 200 E. Beaver Ave.
"We are 48 hours away from making history," McCracken said. "In the next 48 hours, all the work, all the sweat that you put in is going to bring this thing around, and this country is going to change. We're going to take back your future."
McCracken is running against Centre County Republicans Chairman Glenn Thompson and Libertarian Jim Fryman.
McCracken and Conklin intended to speak to Penn State students, but the majority of the people at the rally were college students from New York who came to State College to campaign for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama.
New York University student Jackie Blachman-Forshay, who attended the rally, said it is important to remember the other, down ballot races on Election Day as well.
"It's something I even forget about. I get really excited for Obama and forget other people are running. Senators are running. Congressmen are running, and I think it's important to keep it a Democratic majority," Blachman-Forshay said.
Blachman-Forshay is just one of more than 80 students from New York universities who traveled to Penn State for the weekend. The group consisted of students from several universities like NYU, Fordham, Columbia, St. John's and Hofstra.
At the rally Democrat Bill Cahir, who lost to McCracken during the primary race, introduced both McCracken and Conklin by saying he was backing McCracken.
McCracken spoke about his dedication to college students and his plans to work toward approving no interest loans. He defended his positions and spoke against what he called "negative campaigning" by his opponent, Thompson. McCracken also explained the amendments he would make to health care by offering specific plans to individuals and businesses that will lead to universal health care.
"All [Thompson has] said is healthcare is kind of like an onion; you have to peel away the layers of regulation," McCracken said.
"I say to him, the only way our healthcare system compares to an onion is when you've got 37 million Americans uninsured, that should bring tears to your eyes like an onion would."
McCracken and Conklin both spoke in support of Obama and urged students to vote straight Democratic.
