Tuesday, November 13, 2007
MPE's impresario pleased with result
By Alex Johnson
After WIU’s first-ever Mock Presidential Election, event organizer and political science department chair Richard Hardy is happy with how the event turned out.
“It went very well,” said Hardy. “Measuring from the number of students participating and the quality of events, I was quite pleased.”
Hardy, who organized a similar event at the University of Missouri while teaching there in 1987, was hoping this year’s run served more than one purpose.
“Being from Iowa, (I) know all eyes are on (the Iowa caucuses),” Hardy said of the real nomination process. “We went before the caucuses there to draw attention and get students excited for the real thing in January.
“The proof is in whether or not students will engage,” he continued, “At the very minimum just getting students to vote.”
While Hardy was satisfied with how the initial run at Western went, others pointed out problems with the event, specifically an editorial that ran in the Western Courier Nov. 7 giving both pros and cons of the event.
“There were always be critics,” Hardy said. “I’ve always considered the belief you have to be involved (to be critical). You can’t be a mechanic by looking at a book. You have to open the hood and get your hands dirty.”
Hardy also keyed on the benefit of the event in the classroom, saying that it “dovetailed nicely with learning.”
One thing Hardy did want to clear up is those who question the accuracy of the event, after Illinois junior Senator Barack Obama romped to a win, garnering 506 electoral votes.
“As I looked at (the results), those votes were a lot closer,” said Hardy. “For example, one state had 17 votes for Obama, 15 for (Republican candidate Rudy) Giuliani, two for the Green and one for another party.
“The popular vote was much closer (than the electoral). Our system magnifies winning. We could have used proportional voting, but that’s not the way we do it. It is winner take all.”
Hardy also wanted to credit those who spent countless hours helping to organize and participate in the event.
“I appreciate the support from President (Al) Goldfarb, Dean (Inessa) Levi and all faculty that assisted,” said Hardy.
Hardy said that he would like to do the event every four years to give all students a chance to participate in it. At the moment, though, he is looking forward to a break.
“I’m worn out,” Hardy said, laughing. “I’ve lost a lot of sleep during the process.”
After WIU’s first-ever Mock Presidential Election, event organizer and political science department chair Richard Hardy is happy with how the event turned out.
“It went very well,” said Hardy. “Measuring from the number of students participating and the quality of events, I was quite pleased.”
Hardy, who organized a similar event at the University of Missouri while teaching there in 1987, was hoping this year’s run served more than one purpose.
“Being from Iowa, (I) know all eyes are on (the Iowa caucuses),” Hardy said of the real nomination process. “We went before the caucuses there to draw attention and get students excited for the real thing in January.
“The proof is in whether or not students will engage,” he continued, “At the very minimum just getting students to vote.”
While Hardy was satisfied with how the initial run at Western went, others pointed out problems with the event, specifically an editorial that ran in the Western Courier Nov. 7 giving both pros and cons of the event.
“There were always be critics,” Hardy said. “I’ve always considered the belief you have to be involved (to be critical). You can’t be a mechanic by looking at a book. You have to open the hood and get your hands dirty.”
Hardy also keyed on the benefit of the event in the classroom, saying that it “dovetailed nicely with learning.”
One thing Hardy did want to clear up is those who question the accuracy of the event, after Illinois junior Senator Barack Obama romped to a win, garnering 506 electoral votes.
“As I looked at (the results), those votes were a lot closer,” said Hardy. “For example, one state had 17 votes for Obama, 15 for (Republican candidate Rudy) Giuliani, two for the Green and one for another party.
“The popular vote was much closer (than the electoral). Our system magnifies winning. We could have used proportional voting, but that’s not the way we do it. It is winner take all.”
Hardy also wanted to credit those who spent countless hours helping to organize and participate in the event.
“I appreciate the support from President (Al) Goldfarb, Dean (Inessa) Levi and all faculty that assisted,” said Hardy.
Hardy said that he would like to do the event every four years to give all students a chance to participate in it. At the moment, though, he is looking forward to a break.
“I’m worn out,” Hardy said, laughing. “I’ve lost a lot of sleep during the process.”
Seeing the writing on the wall, Richardson campaign worked for the party
By Tashena Brown
There was a buzz on the floor among delegates on nominating night: “Where was the Richardson campaign?”
No one put his name in play that night, October 30.
It seemed odd at the time. Richardson had received some votes from delegates earlier that week. But, as campaign manager Brandon Brown explained, Richardson lacked name recognition, resources and momentum.
Still, there were 2 votes from Alaska and all of Arizona’s 25 votes, plus 26 from California, 6 from Pennsylvania and 17 from Texas.
However, these promised votes were not going to be enough.
The rules allowed one delegate from a state to stand up and move for Richardson, the Democratic Governor of New Mexico, to enter the race in earnest. All he needed was six delegates to second the nomination. But, Brown said, he and the Richardson campaign could see that wasn’t going to happen.
Mock Presidential Election director Rick Hardy speculated that perhaps the Richardson campaign saw the writing on the wall.
“Everybody knew the rules -- that they had to be nominated from the floor and if you don’t get out there and walk the floor, you’re not going to get anybody to nominate you from the floor. So the people who did work on the floor did get their nominations. I thought he would do better, but he didn’t.”
MPE associate director John Hemingway said not all students understood just how much campaigning it takes to get “promised” delegates to deliver their votes.
“They think they can make a deal and just walk halfway,” Hemingway said. “They can simply request, but it’s up to the delegates.”
Brown said the Richardson campaign decided to be pragmatic on nominating night. Contacted the weekend after the election ended and asked if his campaign had just “quit,” Brown bristled.
“We as our party did not quit,” he said. “We didn’t have the same resources or the name recognition of the bigger names. Quitting while you’re ahead is not the same as quitting.”
Brown says the Richardson camp realized by day three it was time to choose the best candidate from the Democratic Party’ s choices.
And that’s what they were busy doing instead of nominating their own candidate.
“Ultimately, I feel we got the right two candidates for the election—Obama and Edwards,” Brown said. “We all came together. The ultimate goal was to defeat the Republican Party by any means necessary.”
There was a buzz on the floor among delegates on nominating night: “Where was the Richardson campaign?”
No one put his name in play that night, October 30.
It seemed odd at the time. Richardson had received some votes from delegates earlier that week. But, as campaign manager Brandon Brown explained, Richardson lacked name recognition, resources and momentum.
Still, there were 2 votes from Alaska and all of Arizona’s 25 votes, plus 26 from California, 6 from Pennsylvania and 17 from Texas.
However, these promised votes were not going to be enough.
The rules allowed one delegate from a state to stand up and move for Richardson, the Democratic Governor of New Mexico, to enter the race in earnest. All he needed was six delegates to second the nomination. But, Brown said, he and the Richardson campaign could see that wasn’t going to happen.
Mock Presidential Election director Rick Hardy speculated that perhaps the Richardson campaign saw the writing on the wall.
“Everybody knew the rules -- that they had to be nominated from the floor and if you don’t get out there and walk the floor, you’re not going to get anybody to nominate you from the floor. So the people who did work on the floor did get their nominations. I thought he would do better, but he didn’t.”
MPE associate director John Hemingway said not all students understood just how much campaigning it takes to get “promised” delegates to deliver their votes.
“They think they can make a deal and just walk halfway,” Hemingway said. “They can simply request, but it’s up to the delegates.”
Brown said the Richardson campaign decided to be pragmatic on nominating night. Contacted the weekend after the election ended and asked if his campaign had just “quit,” Brown bristled.
“We as our party did not quit,” he said. “We didn’t have the same resources or the name recognition of the bigger names. Quitting while you’re ahead is not the same as quitting.”
Brown says the Richardson camp realized by day three it was time to choose the best candidate from the Democratic Party’ s choices.
And that’s what they were busy doing instead of nominating their own candidate.
“Ultimately, I feel we got the right two candidates for the election—Obama and Edwards,” Brown said. “We all came together. The ultimate goal was to defeat the Republican Party by any means necessary.”
Monday, November 12, 2007
Party hoping for Green-er pastures ahead
By Lisa Glaub
The leader of the Green Party at WIU says the recent Mock Presidential Election helped the organization, even though the Greens’ candidate didn’t come close in the Electoral College voting.
Campus Greens President Robert Casey believes the effort was successful.
“Students who came told me that they never heard of this party, and now, they are more interested based upon the information we shared with them,” he said. “I feel we have reached these students.”
Casey, a WIU senior, delivered the Greens’ speeches on two occasions –- once during the nominating night, and a different speech during the final voting night. He said he could have used more time to get his point across.
Perhaps that’s because the way he sees it, the Greens are “the best party out there,” he said.
It’s a conclusion Casey came to last year when he decided he wanted to become politically active.
Casey was impressed with the idea of a party with organizations around the globe in different cultures. Plus, he agrees with the Greens’ focus on environmental sustainability.
Casey says it’s important that people figure out ways to “not destroy what we have.”
The efforts during the WIU simulation, Casey said, were a great way for the Green Party to put its values to work.
“Grassroots democracy is the idea that people need to go out and engage in government themselves,” he said. “This should not be machine politics. People need to go out there and get involved directly.”
It’s that sort of activity that attracted Casey to the Greens, and the kind he hopes will attract students who didn’t necessarily embrace the Greens yet. Casey says he’s patient.
“The students were more active than usual,” he said. “They seemed to really enjoy this event. I think now they will be more likely to be active in real elections. We got our ideals and beliefs across, and we put our name and party out there.”
Campus Greens meet at 8 on Thursday nights in the Union Sandburg Lounge.
The leader of the Green Party at WIU says the recent Mock Presidential Election helped the organization, even though the Greens’ candidate didn’t come close in the Electoral College voting.
Campus Greens President Robert Casey believes the effort was successful.
“Students who came told me that they never heard of this party, and now, they are more interested based upon the information we shared with them,” he said. “I feel we have reached these students.”
Casey, a WIU senior, delivered the Greens’ speeches on two occasions –- once during the nominating night, and a different speech during the final voting night. He said he could have used more time to get his point across.
Perhaps that’s because the way he sees it, the Greens are “the best party out there,” he said.
It’s a conclusion Casey came to last year when he decided he wanted to become politically active.
Casey was impressed with the idea of a party with organizations around the globe in different cultures. Plus, he agrees with the Greens’ focus on environmental sustainability.
Casey says it’s important that people figure out ways to “not destroy what we have.”
The efforts during the WIU simulation, Casey said, were a great way for the Green Party to put its values to work.
“Grassroots democracy is the idea that people need to go out and engage in government themselves,” he said. “This should not be machine politics. People need to go out there and get involved directly.”
It’s that sort of activity that attracted Casey to the Greens, and the kind he hopes will attract students who didn’t necessarily embrace the Greens yet. Casey says he’s patient.
“The students were more active than usual,” he said. “They seemed to really enjoy this event. I think now they will be more likely to be active in real elections. We got our ideals and beliefs across, and we put our name and party out there.”
Campus Greens meet at 8 on Thursday nights in the Union Sandburg Lounge.
Commentary: People for the American Way
Print editions of News-meister each featured opinion pieces from conservative, middle-of-the-road and progressive points of view. The following essay was omitted for space consideration, so we publish it here.
The People for the American Way organization has been fighting the Religious Right for more than 25 years, protecting against the Right’s backward vision of bending America’s politics to reflect their narrow political vision. That’s why we speak for the common good and defend the civil rights and liberties that sustain a free society.
Over those years, we’ve grown into an organization that today mobilizes 1 million members and supporters nationwide to fight for our values and beliefs: equal rights, freedom of speech, religious liberty, and equal justice under the law for every American.
The long-term agenda of People For the American Way is broad. It includes reducing social tension and polarizations, encouraging community participation, fostering understanding among different segments of our society, and increasing the level and quality of public dialogue. As an educational institution, we shall communicate with the American people through printed materials, radio, television, public lectures and discussions.
We will gather information, analyze it, and distribute our findings to the public in a manner that provides for full and fair exposition on the issues. Our highest purpose is to nurture a national climate that encourages and enhances the human spirit rather than one which divides people into hostile camps.
By educating the American people and raising their level of understanding about the basic tenets by which our society is sustained, People For the American Way will fulfill its mission.
PFAW's Mission: People For the American Way was founded in 1981 by Norman Lear, Barbara Jordan, Father Theodore Hesburgh, and Andrew Heiskell. The following Statement of Purpose was adopted by the founders and other civic, religious and business leaders who comprised the initial Board of Directors:
“In times of hardship, in times of crises, societies throughout history have experienced wrenching dislocations in their fundamental values and beliefs … We are alarmed that some of the current voices of stridency and division may replace those of reason and unity. If these voices continue unchallenged, the results will be predictable: a rise in ‘demonology’ and hostility, a breakdown in community and social spirit, a deterioration of free and open dialogue, and the temptation to grasp at simplistic solutions for complex problems.
“People For the American Way was established to address these matters. Our purpose is to meet the challenges of discord and fragmentation with an affirmation of ‘the American Way.’ By this, we mean pluralism, individuality, freedom of thought, expression and religion, a sense of community, and tolerance and compassion for others. People For the American Way will reach out to all Americans and affirm that in our society, the individual still matters; that there is reason to believe in the future -- not to despair of it -- and that we must strengthen the common cords that connect us as humans and citizens.
We're fighting to maintain and expand 50 years of legal and social justice progress that right-wing leaders are trying to dismantle. We won't let them turn back the clock on our rights and freedoms.”
Besides public education and religious freedom, PFAW consistently advocates on behalf of civil rights and equal rights, civic participation, Constitutional liberties and an independent judiciary.
PFAW co-founder Norman Lear added, “When we see anxiety and alienation manipulated for political gain, and people of all ages losing enthusiasm for democracy, we are moved to do whatever we can to make sure that our children and grandchildren grow and live in a society shaped by the American promise. People For the American Way gives us a way to help realize that promise.”
Check us out at: People For the American Way; 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 400;
Washington, DC 20036; telephone: 202-467-4999 or 800-326-7329; online at http://www.pfaw@pfaw.org
The People for the American Way organization has been fighting the Religious Right for more than 25 years, protecting against the Right’s backward vision of bending America’s politics to reflect their narrow political vision. That’s why we speak for the common good and defend the civil rights and liberties that sustain a free society.
Over those years, we’ve grown into an organization that today mobilizes 1 million members and supporters nationwide to fight for our values and beliefs: equal rights, freedom of speech, religious liberty, and equal justice under the law for every American.
The long-term agenda of People For the American Way is broad. It includes reducing social tension and polarizations, encouraging community participation, fostering understanding among different segments of our society, and increasing the level and quality of public dialogue. As an educational institution, we shall communicate with the American people through printed materials, radio, television, public lectures and discussions.
We will gather information, analyze it, and distribute our findings to the public in a manner that provides for full and fair exposition on the issues. Our highest purpose is to nurture a national climate that encourages and enhances the human spirit rather than one which divides people into hostile camps.
By educating the American people and raising their level of understanding about the basic tenets by which our society is sustained, People For the American Way will fulfill its mission.
PFAW's Mission: People For the American Way was founded in 1981 by Norman Lear, Barbara Jordan, Father Theodore Hesburgh, and Andrew Heiskell. The following Statement of Purpose was adopted by the founders and other civic, religious and business leaders who comprised the initial Board of Directors:
“In times of hardship, in times of crises, societies throughout history have experienced wrenching dislocations in their fundamental values and beliefs … We are alarmed that some of the current voices of stridency and division may replace those of reason and unity. If these voices continue unchallenged, the results will be predictable: a rise in ‘demonology’ and hostility, a breakdown in community and social spirit, a deterioration of free and open dialogue, and the temptation to grasp at simplistic solutions for complex problems.
“People For the American Way was established to address these matters. Our purpose is to meet the challenges of discord and fragmentation with an affirmation of ‘the American Way.’ By this, we mean pluralism, individuality, freedom of thought, expression and religion, a sense of community, and tolerance and compassion for others. People For the American Way will reach out to all Americans and affirm that in our society, the individual still matters; that there is reason to believe in the future -- not to despair of it -- and that we must strengthen the common cords that connect us as humans and citizens.
We're fighting to maintain and expand 50 years of legal and social justice progress that right-wing leaders are trying to dismantle. We won't let them turn back the clock on our rights and freedoms.”
Besides public education and religious freedom, PFAW consistently advocates on behalf of civil rights and equal rights, civic participation, Constitutional liberties and an independent judiciary.
PFAW co-founder Norman Lear added, “When we see anxiety and alienation manipulated for political gain, and people of all ages losing enthusiasm for democracy, we are moved to do whatever we can to make sure that our children and grandchildren grow and live in a society shaped by the American promise. People For the American Way gives us a way to help realize that promise.”
Check us out at: People For the American Way; 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 400;
Washington, DC 20036; telephone: 202-467-4999 or 800-326-7329; online at http://www.pfaw@pfaw.org
Other voices
Following are a handful of remarks made during the recent MPE, unpublished until now...
“This convention has been really good to get insight and information about politics. At the start of the convention I did not really care, but as it goes on I have been taking in a lot of information that I didn’t even know before.”
--Casey Aurand, a freshman from the St. Louis area attending as part of a sociology class.
“Ron Paul was selected by the Libertarian Party back in the ‘90s yet he is running as a Republican. If he doesn’t make it as a Republican hopefully his press time here will make him known and he can run with the Libertarians. The Libertarian Party’s goal is to keep the government out of citizens’ affairs unless it inflicts bodily harm. For example, they are for the legalization of marijuana, same-sex marriages, not raising the taxes. They are against the war in Iraq, want to end the IRS, and to secure our borders and end illegal immigration.”
-- Josh Carrigan, president of College Libertarians
“The Mock Presidential Election offers a unique opportunity to benefit students and the actual campaign alike to promote the values and messages of the candidates. What I particularly like is the opportunity to experience what a real presidential campaign is like, as well as the fact that it brings attention to the actual campaigns and helps students realize just what is at stake.
-- Zak Foste, a sophomore political science major whom supports Barack Obama.
“This convention is as great idea. It gets students involved in the electoral process, something a lot of students don’t’ know about. For me, I’ve never been to a convention so this is all new and exciting.”
-- Zack Kelton, Senior in Political Science.
“[The convention] is a great process for the Greens and Libertarians because it gives them the opportunity to see how choosing a platform and the rest of the election process works. I think that all of this really puts Western above many of the other colleges.”
-- Ken Pedersen, a senior political science major and Kucinich supporter
“I came to the Mock Presidential Election to learn about the different candidates and where they stand on hot-button issues. I think that this event provides students with an excellent chance to become educated on some of the issues that America sees as very important toward the next election: health care, same-sex marriage, abortion and the death penalty. What is unfortunate is that some people are just here because their professors are making them be there.”
-- Eric Schuman, a junior broadcasting major who supports Rudy Giuliani.
“The candidate that is my favorite and that I would vote for is Rudy Giuliani. One of the main reasons I like Rudy is because of what he did as the governor of New York during 9/11. Being a part of that will help him relate to the families of the troops overseas. Also, he will be able to grieve with them and know how to help them through it because he has done it before. Another thing that I really like with Giuliani is when he implemented the Zero Tolerance rule. It wound up taking a big chunk out of the crime rate and I believe that if he did that with America, it would help a lot.”
-- Kyle Tackett, a freshman Republican.
“I think the mock election is a great idea. I really want to know more about ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the election and see how things work. It also gives me a way to learn more about the electives and helps me decide who I’ll vote for.”
-- Agnes Tackie, a junior psychology major designated by her class to support presidential candidate Bill Richardson (but he lost Tuesday so she was attending on her own.) She said she supports Barack Obama in real life.
“My favorite candidate would have to be Dennis Kucinich even though he has given all of his support to Hillary Clinton [at WIU’s mock convention]. I find him as a great candidate because he speaks for the common man/woman. I love his stand on the Iraq war and abortion. It is exactly how I feel on both of those topics. After learning that [his local campaign] was throwing all of his support to Hillary Clinton, it made me sad. Then, after looking at the current polls, I came to realize that 2008 just isn’t Dennis’ year.
“His views had some candidates looking at their platforms again. His views and platform would make any Democrat proud and I would still vote for him.”
--Alyssa Winters, a freshman Democrat and political science major.
Interviews by Caitlin Barrett, Tessa Flint, Ken Jenke, Keith Leiting, Kyle Moore, Lori Pankratz and Joshua Simmons
“This convention has been really good to get insight and information about politics. At the start of the convention I did not really care, but as it goes on I have been taking in a lot of information that I didn’t even know before.”
--Casey Aurand, a freshman from the St. Louis area attending as part of a sociology class.
“Ron Paul was selected by the Libertarian Party back in the ‘90s yet he is running as a Republican. If he doesn’t make it as a Republican hopefully his press time here will make him known and he can run with the Libertarians. The Libertarian Party’s goal is to keep the government out of citizens’ affairs unless it inflicts bodily harm. For example, they are for the legalization of marijuana, same-sex marriages, not raising the taxes. They are against the war in Iraq, want to end the IRS, and to secure our borders and end illegal immigration.”
-- Josh Carrigan, president of College Libertarians
“The Mock Presidential Election offers a unique opportunity to benefit students and the actual campaign alike to promote the values and messages of the candidates. What I particularly like is the opportunity to experience what a real presidential campaign is like, as well as the fact that it brings attention to the actual campaigns and helps students realize just what is at stake.
-- Zak Foste, a sophomore political science major whom supports Barack Obama.
“This convention is as great idea. It gets students involved in the electoral process, something a lot of students don’t’ know about. For me, I’ve never been to a convention so this is all new and exciting.”
-- Zack Kelton, Senior in Political Science.
“[The convention] is a great process for the Greens and Libertarians because it gives them the opportunity to see how choosing a platform and the rest of the election process works. I think that all of this really puts Western above many of the other colleges.”
-- Ken Pedersen, a senior political science major and Kucinich supporter
“I came to the Mock Presidential Election to learn about the different candidates and where they stand on hot-button issues. I think that this event provides students with an excellent chance to become educated on some of the issues that America sees as very important toward the next election: health care, same-sex marriage, abortion and the death penalty. What is unfortunate is that some people are just here because their professors are making them be there.”
-- Eric Schuman, a junior broadcasting major who supports Rudy Giuliani.
“The candidate that is my favorite and that I would vote for is Rudy Giuliani. One of the main reasons I like Rudy is because of what he did as the governor of New York during 9/11. Being a part of that will help him relate to the families of the troops overseas. Also, he will be able to grieve with them and know how to help them through it because he has done it before. Another thing that I really like with Giuliani is when he implemented the Zero Tolerance rule. It wound up taking a big chunk out of the crime rate and I believe that if he did that with America, it would help a lot.”
-- Kyle Tackett, a freshman Republican.
“I think the mock election is a great idea. I really want to know more about ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the election and see how things work. It also gives me a way to learn more about the electives and helps me decide who I’ll vote for.”
-- Agnes Tackie, a junior psychology major designated by her class to support presidential candidate Bill Richardson (but he lost Tuesday so she was attending on her own.) She said she supports Barack Obama in real life.
“My favorite candidate would have to be Dennis Kucinich even though he has given all of his support to Hillary Clinton [at WIU’s mock convention]. I find him as a great candidate because he speaks for the common man/woman. I love his stand on the Iraq war and abortion. It is exactly how I feel on both of those topics. After learning that [his local campaign] was throwing all of his support to Hillary Clinton, it made me sad. Then, after looking at the current polls, I came to realize that 2008 just isn’t Dennis’ year.
“His views had some candidates looking at their platforms again. His views and platform would make any Democrat proud and I would still vote for him.”
--Alyssa Winters, a freshman Democrat and political science major.
Interviews by Caitlin Barrett, Tessa Flint, Ken Jenke, Keith Leiting, Kyle Moore, Lori Pankratz and Joshua Simmons
Friday, November 9, 2007
Cartoon by WIU art instructor Jim AllenGOP Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani has been endorsed by televangelist Pat Robertson, signaling a divided Christian Right. In September, evangelical James Dobson of Focus on the Family said he won’t support Republican Fred Thompson but has yet to give another candidate the nod. Recently, Moral Majority co-founder Paul Weyrich endorsed Mitt Romney, and conservative Sen. Sam Brownback is supporting John McCain.
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