Kerry in lead, students unaware

By Erin Chambers

Jasper Seldin, who started the College Democrats club last year, says he's been interested in politics and the Democratic Party since Bill Clinton was in office. àThe sophomore political science major, who interned on the Al Gore campaign in 2000, remembers going to the polls with his parents as a kid.

"They gave me one of those pretend practice ballots for kids, and I punched holes next to Clinton's name," Seldin said.

With less than one month until voting day in the California primary, not all students match his enthusiasm for the political process or knowledge of its major players. Many students say lack of free time is the main reason for remaining uninvolved in the upcoming election, not a lack of interest.

Freshman Jenny Moody says she sees flyers for political events posted in her dorm, Casa Italiana, and often hears people talking about the news and current events in the hallways.

"I care, and I follow it as best I can," Moody said.

She, however, had not yet researched any of the candidates enough to make a decision on who to vote for in the March 2 California primary. à

Seldin said that going past the issues and focusing on educating people about the candidates and their platforms is the key to increasing voter turnout among young people.

"In terms of being interested in politics for politics, I think that a lot of people aren't. àThey don't see how it affects their lives," said Seldin. à"But these issues are very real in people's minds. And if we can connect the candidate to the issue, then people will get involved and they will go out and vote."

The College Democrats man a table in Benson periodically and sponsor events in the Bronco that aim to raise political awareness, Seldin said.

Campus democrats are not the only students on campus concerned with raising awareness. àCollege Republicans, with 161 members, have set up tables in Benson, conducted political awareness surveys in residence halls and plan to sponsor more programs throughout the election year.

President Susan Anderson believes the Democratic Party's failure to produce a quality candidate combined with fighting within the party will make Bush hard to beat this fall.

She said she sees increased interest in political life among her members, but apathy among the general student body.

"It's not as though I expect every student to be a political junkie, but when I ask a student who they would vote for in the 2004 presidential election and they don't even know who the candidates are, I am truly saddened," Anderson said.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry took an early lead since the first caucuses in Iowa last month, winning 12 of 14 states thus far.

Running on a platform against the war and supported by labor unions and moderate democrats, Kerry totals 515 delegates; former Vermont governor Howard Dean is second with 182. A candidate needs 2,161 to win the nomination and California alone offers 370 delegates, according to CNN.com.

"If I were a betting person, I would put all my money on John Kerry because he's got the momentum and people seem to already be falling in line behind him," Seldin said.

One-time front-runner Dean, who made headlines late last year with his revolutionary online campaigning strategies and fund raising, has been on a steady downturn since Iowa. àHis extreme stance on foreign policy and industry regulations alienated moderate party members, according to Seldin. à

"We have a lot of people supporting Howard Dean," Seldin said of his club members. à"It's their first time getting involved in politics and he really enticed them. He used the Internet to energize people."

Janet Flammang, a professor of political science who is currently teaching a seminar in American politics, said the effects of online politics have been quite recent and apparent on young voters especially. à

"Candidate Web sites were not common until the 1996 election. àHoward Dean's recent campaign benefited enormously from Web-based solicitation of campaign donations - about $40 million - and mobilization of many voters to support his candidacy," Flammang said. à"Since younger voters are more likely than older ones to use the Internet, the overall effect of online politics has been to reach more young voters."

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark dropped out of the race Wednesday.

Dave Zwaska, a senior philosophy major, said he is concerned with issues in the upcoming election related to social justice, namely Bush's environmental policy.

"I don't get a lot of information or discussion in classes," Zwaska said. "So I look up a lot of the information myself online."

Sophomore Meredith Swinehart agreed, saying she was concerned about issues related to the environment and health care, but lacked specific knowledge of the candidates.

"I think students really want to be involved and be educated, but many feel that if they do go out and seek information, they won't be able to find honest, objective information and explanations of the issues," the sophomore environmental science major said. "I think that's where the apathy stems from."

Taylor McClure, president of Associated Students, said it would be much easier for students to vote if they could do so on campus.

"Students can feel overwhelmed as it is, and any extra convenience would help bring out new voters," McClure said.

With less than one month until voting day, Bush's approval rating is up slightly at 52 percent from its all-time low last week at 49 percent, according to a weekend USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll. àThe same poll showed Kerry and Bush neck and neck, 48 percent and 49 percent respectively, if Kerry were to win the nomination and the election scheduled for November was held this week.