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ANGELIDES AND DEAN Today, 12:30 p.m. Tom Bradley International Center

For the second time in just over two weeks, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Phil Angelides plans to speak on campus today in the latest in a series of recent visits from high-profile politicians.

Angelides will be accompanied by Democratic National Committee Chairman and 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean.

Some students said visits by political figures such as Bill Clinton and Barbara Boxer, both of whom have come to UCLA in recent weeks, may help them decide how to vote in the upcoming elections.

Nick Papas, a representative of Angelides’ campaign, said Angelides and Dean plan to lead a rally in the Tom Bradley International Center this afternoon. Dean, formerly governor of Vermont, ran for president in the Democratic primaries in 2004.

“They’re going to be encouraging UCLA students and Californians to get out the vote Nov. 7,” Papas said, adding that he was not sure whether Angelides would discuss any propositions on the ballot.

The event, which Bruin Democrats helped organize, is open to the public.

Rachel Duran, a second-year French and linguistics student, said she finds it useful to hear politicians speak about specific issues, such as individual propositions.

“As a student, I don’t really have time to look through all the propositions,” she said. “With someone I respect as much as Bill Clinton or Phil Angelides (speaking about an issue), it’s an easier way to decide how I’m going to vote.”

But Jayme Farrell-Ranker, a second-year sociology student, said she uses visits from politicians as a jumping-off point to do more research, rather than as a way to decide how to vote.

“I think it just makes you look more into it,” she said. “It doesn’t necessarily sell you on it.”

The majority of popular political figures who have come to campus recently have been Democrats.

Papas said Angelides’ recent visits make sense because his platforms relate to college students.

“Angelides has a plan to stand up for college students, to make college more affordable,” he said, referring to Angelides’ campaign promise to roll back fees at California public universities.

He added that Angelides has been visiting many campuses around the state, including taking a tour of the University of California campuses.

But Duran said she believes visits by politicians are effective in swinging students’ votes on particular issues rather than on overall political affiliation.

“Because this is a college campus, most students are going to be more liberal anyway, and probably vote for Democrats more,” she said.

Farrell-Ranker said she also believes students would probably not change political affiliation as a result of speakers coming to campus.

“I don’t think (going to Angelides’ rally) would make me any more likely to vote for him,” she said, adding that she thought speakers are more effective when they address specific issues.

“They should focus on one thing instead of selling themselves,” Farrell-Ranker said.

Still, she said she believes students would be open to hearing from qualified speakers regardless of their affiliation.

“I think most students are very politically aware, and they like to hear the opinions of well-known politicians,” she said. “It’s definitely nice to be informed.”

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