The C-SPAN Campaign 2008 Bus, part of the national “”Road to the White House”” tour, stopped on the UA Mall yesterday.

The bus, a $1.3 million mobile production studio and classroom, is on the trail to Washington, D.C., and is making pit stops at schools and state capitols, as well as major political events, said Doug Hemming, a C-SPAN spokesman.

Many prominent political figures – including President George W. Bush, senators, Supreme Court justices and 2008 presidential candidates – have been guests on the set, he added.

Next year will mark C-SPAN’s 20th year on the air, and the network is celebrating by offering student and teacher workshops, and creating awareness about critical viewing and media literacy, Hemming said.

The campaign seeks to promote C-SPAN’s neutral coverage of political events and to educate people about its production set, said Adrienne Hoar, education coordinator for C-SPAN.

“”We don’t care who you vote for,”” she said. “”Our big goal is that when you do vote, you’re informed in making a decision and know what you’re voting for.””

Students were able to see the

inside of the bus, hear how C-SPAN works and learn how to independently analyze media without being influenced by production and lighting, she said.

One distinguishing thing about C-SPAN, Hemming said, is that instead of hosting guests with opposing viewpoints, shows allow only one speaker at a time, allowing viewers to act as their own opposing point of view.

“”C-SPAN’s philosophy is ‘Don’t let that get you,’ “” he said. “”We’re all about the neutrality.””

C-SPAN surveys indicate that 96 percent of people who watch the channel vote. Viewers range from college students to retirees.

ASUA is making it a goal of its own to get UA students more involved in politics, said vice chair Michael Slugocki.

“”I hope that they can see there are opportunities to get involved in politics and care about these things,”” he said. “”C-SPAN is one of those on a national level.””

Slugocki said ASUA plans to hold a voter-registration event Nov. 5-10.

Said biochemistry freshman Jacob Choi: “”Students are so busy with what they’re doing, especially if they have a job, that they don’t have time to think about politics and stuff.

“”I think that (the way C-SPAN presents information is) a good way for students to form opinions based off an unbiased source,”” he added.