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Wednesday, May 1, 1996

Candidates argue mudslinging turns off student votersBy Brooke Olson

Daily Bruin Staff

Historically, political campaigns are notorious for mudslinging ­ and this year's undergraduate elections are no exception.

With only a week given for student candidates to announce their political beliefs on Bruin Walk, this year's elections have not been immune to personal and political attacks from some political parties.

"Yes, there have been confrontations between the various party members, and it is sad that some people are unable to focus on what really affects the students ­ the issues," said John Du, the Students First! presidential nominee.

These attacks have led to strong tensions between this year's two main parties, the Students First! and the United Students slates, said party members and students.

Claiming to avoid political mudslinging, members of the Students First! slate maintain their campaign strictly focuses on student issues.

"Negative campaigning alienates the students, and Students First! does not want to do that," Du said. "We focus on positive, pro-active solutions to the issues which affect students."

Furthermore, United Students members routinely use mudslinging as a way to hide behind the fact that they do not have any platform, Du added.

But United Students members were strong in their defense that their slate does focus on issues affecting students.

"Students First! currently dominates council, and as candidates it is our job to point out their mistakes," said Matt Shapiro, campaign manager for United Student presidential candidate Brad Miller.

"We acknowledge those mistakes and then follow up by saying what we're going to do for the students," Shapiro added.

Mudslinging does turn off voters, United Students members admitted. With less than a 25 percent voter turnout, it it important for the voters to be informed.

"It's fifth week, students have midterms. The last thing they need is to be bombarded by negative campaigns," said Ben Hofilena, a United Students member.

Students agreed that mudslinging is one factor in not casting a vote.

"All I want is to see what each slate will do, I don't wan to have to listen to a bunch of political rhetoric," said Vanessa Withers, a third-year political science student. "It seems like the same old bashing that is all too common in politics."

Students First! members agreed, and vowed that they are attempting to stay away from personal and political attacks.

"By attacking the other slate, students are only creating to the stereotypes of student government ­ that we are nothing but a bunch of petty, wannabe politicians who will stoop to any personal or political level to get elected," Du said.

"What Students First! is doing is not attacking the other slate; instead we are telling the students what we are doing for them," he added.

But United Students members are adamant that while focusing on issues is important, students need to realize what this year's council did wrong.

"If Students First! can't handle and accept their misgivings, then they have dropped the ball on all of the students," said Miller.

These misgivings, alleged United Students members, include the Students First! using more than 50 percent of student funds to sponsor four student groups, including MEChA, el Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana y Chicano de Aztlán.

"The Students First! give the majority of their funds to four student groups who support their ideology," Miller said.

This information though is wrong, said Students First! members, explaining that in total, the four student groups received less than 18 percent of student funds.

"I wish the United Students would get their information correct. It's all in the budget notes from the meetings," Du said. "I sit on the Finance Committee and am aware of how the council spends its money."

Regardless of which slate is misinformed, some students believe that by rebutting each other in such a manner, the slates are focusing on each others' mistakes ­ not on their goals.

"It seems to me to be just a bunch of verbal mudslinging and all I really want to know is what are they going to do for me, the student," said Joe Whethers, a fourth-year communications student.

Some students believe that ... the slates are focusing on each others' mistakes ­ not on their goals.