By Zachary Baker
-- Student reporters Sarah Zeeck, Ashley Manning, Irene Niedzwiedz and Christina Holt also contributed to this report.
Obama bests Giuliani, others in mock vote
Many students, faculty and other pertinent staff gathered in Western Hall on Monday evening to elect a new president, or at least a pretend president, and it was Barack Obama who earned a whopping 506 of the 538 votes needed to become the new president of the United States.
Jessie Kallman, the campaign manager for Barack Obama, displayed pure confidence before the Electoral College began voting.
“I think Obama is pretty likely to win,” Kallman said. She said this mock election has been a great campaign opportunity.
“I’m ready to go to bed, but celebrate with a victory party beforehand,” Kallman said. She added that the campaign team was ready for the nation “to have some change.”
Change was what the Obama campaign got, but Republicans felt they had a good chance to win the presidency.
“Even though I feel that this campus is more liberal, I think that since Giuliani is more moderate, students might not want to go as far left as Obama,” said Steve Steinert, chairman of the College Republicans.
Brian Keller, vice chairman for the College Republicans, felt good about his campaign but said there weren’t sufficient candidates running who could challenge Obama.
“I feel confident Republicans are seen as the underdog on campus, but Obama has won in a landslide because he didn’t really have any strong candidates against him.”
The Giuliani campaign believed it did hold some advantages over the other party’s candidates.
“Reduced taxes, keeping taxes low, we offer strong and proven leadership. Rudy comes from a large state with experience, and Obama is inexperienced,” Keller said.
Greens plant seeds for future
Though the Greens were not expecting a victory, they were hoping to switch some votes. Their main goal was to inform Western Illinois University students that third parties do exist. Western is a liberal campus, they suggest, but many students do not fit in with the Republicans or Democrats. The Green Party Convention on Thursday was a big success, and Erin McCarthy representing California said she noticed that most people who attended the Thursday convention were surprised to learn the stance on the second amendment, and she was thrilled that she got that point across because she feels it is very important.
“This is a party for the true progressive person,” Jeremy Arendt said. “It is also important to understand that Greens stand apart from all other parties because they do not accept corporate donations. … people will understand that this is a grassroots democracy.”
Libertarians try setting themselves apart
The Libertarians emphasized just a few policies. The first is the principle of non-aggression. Because of their belief in the non-aggression principle, they favor withdrawal of troops from Iraq and abolishment of death penalty. They support the rights of individuals to bear arms; they strongly favor the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use; and they believe in free market principles of capitalism and oppose both government interference such as a universal health care and increases in
the minimum wage.
CAS dean: MPE captures spirit of discovery
Dean Inessa Levi of the College of Arts and Sciences also was a guest speaker Monday night. Levi grew up in the former Soviet Union, and she said the term mock election would have a much different meaning in the once-Communist state.
“It would have been used to characterize the nature of the electoral process in the USSR whereby a slate of communist party candidates were swept into office by a nearly unanimous vote because that was the only slate available,” Levi said.
Levi said that the Mock Presidential Election here at WIU has benefited the university as a whole.
“Today we gather not only to learn about the democratic process, but to celebrate it. Over the past two weeks, it has been a true pleasure to see students, faculty and staff from across WIU come together in a spirit of discovery to conduct this mass simulation.”
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Few votes, but much awareness
By Danielle Granato and Derek P. Palmer
The two active third parties at WIU weren’t expecting an Electoral College victory, but they wanted to communicate some of the positions so students could discover if they agree with the platforms.
The Green Party sees itself as a viable option.
“I was excited about the response to [Green Presidential nominee] Jared Ball’s speech,” California Green delegate Erin McCarthy said. “The tape was a little fuzzy on Thursday, which was a disappointment, but I believe the message was well received.”
Campus Greens president Rob Casey said there’s still work to do.
“The majority of our campus has not heard the Greens side yet,” he said.
McCarthy said Greens are more than environmentally conscious Democrats. “We are separate,” McCarthy added. Another Green activist said he thought the MPE was a good outreach effort.
“This is a party for the true progressive person,” said Jeremy Arendt, who hopes students attending the MPE will realize “maybe they were Greens all along but just didn’t know it.”
The Libertarians also felt successful late Monday for promoting awareness of the Libertarian cause.
Most Americans and most students support their positions, said College Libertarians president Josh Carrigan. He conceded, however, that some students may not have understood all aspects of supporting the Libertarian Party.
The Libertarian's keynote speaker from last week, Adam Chacksfield, agreed that there was a significant Libertarian presence in terms of what students believe.
The Libertarians think they would have received a reasonable number of votes if the Green Party were not an equal presence in the campaign. Carrigan predicted the two “alternative” parties split about 10 percent to 15 percent of the vote.
The two active third parties at WIU weren’t expecting an Electoral College victory, but they wanted to communicate some of the positions so students could discover if they agree with the platforms.
The Green Party sees itself as a viable option.
“I was excited about the response to [Green Presidential nominee] Jared Ball’s speech,” California Green delegate Erin McCarthy said. “The tape was a little fuzzy on Thursday, which was a disappointment, but I believe the message was well received.”
Campus Greens president Rob Casey said there’s still work to do.
“The majority of our campus has not heard the Greens side yet,” he said.
McCarthy said Greens are more than environmentally conscious Democrats. “We are separate,” McCarthy added. Another Green activist said he thought the MPE was a good outreach effort.
“This is a party for the true progressive person,” said Jeremy Arendt, who hopes students attending the MPE will realize “maybe they were Greens all along but just didn’t know it.”
The Libertarians also felt successful late Monday for promoting awareness of the Libertarian cause.
Most Americans and most students support their positions, said College Libertarians president Josh Carrigan. He conceded, however, that some students may not have understood all aspects of supporting the Libertarian Party.
The Libertarian's keynote speaker from last week, Adam Chacksfield, agreed that there was a significant Libertarian presence in terms of what students believe.
The Libertarians think they would have received a reasonable number of votes if the Green Party were not an equal presence in the campaign. Carrigan predicted the two “alternative” parties split about 10 percent to 15 percent of the vote.
Surgin’ Generals AWOL (Absent Without Laughs)
By Jason Bradley
In an evening occasionally as dry as the Volstead Act, the final night of the Mock Presidential Election could have used a respite provided by a comedy troupe.
Maybe that was the organizers’ intention, but the Surgin’ Generals were a no-show.
Scheduled to perform during an intermission in the midst of MPE activities at Western Hall, the Surgin’ Generals showed that, sometimes, the show does not go on.
Of course, the real show – the MPE Electoral College voting – did continue.
An improvisational comedy group formed by WIU students, the Surgin’ Generals did not inform organizers beforehand that they wouldn’t make it, project director Rick Hardy said.
In an evening occasionally as dry as the Volstead Act, the final night of the Mock Presidential Election could have used a respite provided by a comedy troupe.
Maybe that was the organizers’ intention, but the Surgin’ Generals were a no-show.
Scheduled to perform during an intermission in the midst of MPE activities at Western Hall, the Surgin’ Generals showed that, sometimes, the show does not go on.
Of course, the real show – the MPE Electoral College voting – did continue.
An improvisational comedy group formed by WIU students, the Surgin’ Generals did not inform organizers beforehand that they wouldn’t make it, project director Rick Hardy said.
MPE calls on LWV to count ballots
By Brittany Strickland
In regular elections, ballots are counted by government officials, but for Western’s mock election, organizers tapped a special group: the League of Women Voters.
The McDonough County League of Women Voters was in charge of counting votes and much more. Around for about 50 years, the group is non-partisan and is affiliated with the state and national leagues. They advocate for important policies and work year round. And surprise, you don’t have to be a woman to be a member. In the Macomb area alone, they have six men as members. The group just hasn’t changed its name.
Sally Egler, vice president of McDonough’s LWV chapter, has been an active member for 15 years.
“We educate people on all candidates and all issues,” she said. “Our mission is to educate voters about important political issues.”
A former high school and college teacher, Egler said the group every year publishes a voter’s guide containing candidates’ answers to citizens’ questions.
The LWV hosts candidate forums for local, county and state races, said Egler, who described local LWV members as dedicated, eager to help and an important factor in educating people on candidates and issues and encouraging people to vote and make a difference.
In regular elections, ballots are counted by government officials, but for Western’s mock election, organizers tapped a special group: the League of Women Voters.
The McDonough County League of Women Voters was in charge of counting votes and much more. Around for about 50 years, the group is non-partisan and is affiliated with the state and national leagues. They advocate for important policies and work year round. And surprise, you don’t have to be a woman to be a member. In the Macomb area alone, they have six men as members. The group just hasn’t changed its name.
Sally Egler, vice president of McDonough’s LWV chapter, has been an active member for 15 years.
“We educate people on all candidates and all issues,” she said. “Our mission is to educate voters about important political issues.”
A former high school and college teacher, Egler said the group every year publishes a voter’s guide containing candidates’ answers to citizens’ questions.
The LWV hosts candidate forums for local, county and state races, said Egler, who described local LWV members as dedicated, eager to help and an important factor in educating people on candidates and issues and encouraging people to vote and make a difference.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Demo's, GOP, special interests like monarchy: Libertarian
Delivering the keynote address to the Libertarian convention Thursday night, retired WIU professor Adam Chacksfield said that despite most Americans adhering to ethical standards, the Democratic and Republican parties and special interests have abused power and reduced government to the level of the "pre-Revolutionary monarchies."
See this 44-second video clip--
See this 44-second video clip--
Colbert funny -- and not: students
By Jesse Wright
The freedom to vote has created a strong foundation for U.S. democracy.
That’s nothing to make fun of, some say.
However, Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report” was mocking the democratic system – until Thursday, when he was denied a spot on South Carolina’s Democratic Party's Presidential primary ballot.
Best known for his “Colbert Report” on cable’s Comedy Central, where he spoofs Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly and makes fun of politicians, pundits and other newsmakers, Colbert announced on Oct. 16 that he would sign papers to get his name on both the Democratic and Republican primary ballots for South Carolina.
Colbert said he wanted to lose not once, but twice, in his native state.
But besides the Democratic rejection, Colbert failed to file for or pay the $35,000 GOP entry fee for the chance to appear on the Republican ballot in South Carolina.
Students at the Green/Libertarian meetings Thursday seemed to feel that the fact that Colbert was running in only one state, and couldn’t possibly win, showed that the stunt served no purpose besides trying to be a funny running gag – and a potential sinkhole for votes.
Some students even said they’d favor Federal Election Commission rules somehow guaranteeing that candidates genuinely compete for office.
“He shouldn’t be running is he’s not running in every state,” said freshman Don Bell. “He’s making a mockery of the democratic system, and it’s unfair to all other candidates.”
Colbert’s main purpose was to get a laugh, of course, and perhaps to boost his TV ratings or the sales of his new book, I Am America (And So Can You) – already Number 1 on the New York Times’ best-seller list.
But there were risks, too.
Some said his phony candidacy nevertheless technically violated Federal Election Commission (FEC) prohibitions on “in-kind” contributions, since Comedy Central or its parent company, Viacom, were donating something of value to candidate Colbert: airtime. Also, a federal “equal-time” rule requiring broadcasters to treat political candidates equally could have created the possibility of any other Presidential candidate demanding equal time on Comedy Central. (In fact, NBC-TV has stopped airing episodes of Law & Order featuring actor and GOP Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson.)
On the other hand, this is nothing new.
The art form of getting laughs or publicity through a Presidential bid is a time-tested approach that has been used by the likes of radio comic Gracie Allen, who ran in 1940 as a candidate from the Surprise Party (proclaiming that she wouldn’t be using a Vice President since she wouldn’t tolerate vice in the White House).
In 1968, another comedian, Pat Paulsen, ran for President, frequently appearing on CBS-TV’s variety show “The Smothers Brothers.” More recently, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry threw his hat into the ring.
WIU students conceded that in a day and age when “The Terminator” is California’s Governor and Republicans venerate former President and ex-actor Ronald Reagan, celebrity counts.
“The campaign is based on image,” said WIU freshman Ryan Hamilton. “Name recognition is more important than the candidates’ policies.”
Colbert has the ability to make everybody laugh at the humorous aspects of U.S. politics, but the joke maybe went too far.
The freedom to vote has created a strong foundation for U.S. democracy.
That’s nothing to make fun of, some say.
However, Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report” was mocking the democratic system – until Thursday, when he was denied a spot on South Carolina’s Democratic Party's Presidential primary ballot.
Best known for his “Colbert Report” on cable’s Comedy Central, where he spoofs Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly and makes fun of politicians, pundits and other newsmakers, Colbert announced on Oct. 16 that he would sign papers to get his name on both the Democratic and Republican primary ballots for South Carolina.
Colbert said he wanted to lose not once, but twice, in his native state.
But besides the Democratic rejection, Colbert failed to file for or pay the $35,000 GOP entry fee for the chance to appear on the Republican ballot in South Carolina.
Students at the Green/Libertarian meetings Thursday seemed to feel that the fact that Colbert was running in only one state, and couldn’t possibly win, showed that the stunt served no purpose besides trying to be a funny running gag – and a potential sinkhole for votes.
Some students even said they’d favor Federal Election Commission rules somehow guaranteeing that candidates genuinely compete for office.
“He shouldn’t be running is he’s not running in every state,” said freshman Don Bell. “He’s making a mockery of the democratic system, and it’s unfair to all other candidates.”
Colbert’s main purpose was to get a laugh, of course, and perhaps to boost his TV ratings or the sales of his new book, I Am America (And So Can You) – already Number 1 on the New York Times’ best-seller list.
But there were risks, too.
Some said his phony candidacy nevertheless technically violated Federal Election Commission (FEC) prohibitions on “in-kind” contributions, since Comedy Central or its parent company, Viacom, were donating something of value to candidate Colbert: airtime. Also, a federal “equal-time” rule requiring broadcasters to treat political candidates equally could have created the possibility of any other Presidential candidate demanding equal time on Comedy Central. (In fact, NBC-TV has stopped airing episodes of Law & Order featuring actor and GOP Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson.)
On the other hand, this is nothing new.
The art form of getting laughs or publicity through a Presidential bid is a time-tested approach that has been used by the likes of radio comic Gracie Allen, who ran in 1940 as a candidate from the Surprise Party (proclaiming that she wouldn’t be using a Vice President since she wouldn’t tolerate vice in the White House).
In 1968, another comedian, Pat Paulsen, ran for President, frequently appearing on CBS-TV’s variety show “The Smothers Brothers.” More recently, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry threw his hat into the ring.
WIU students conceded that in a day and age when “The Terminator” is California’s Governor and Republicans venerate former President and ex-actor Ronald Reagan, celebrity counts.
“The campaign is based on image,” said WIU freshman Ryan Hamilton. “Name recognition is more important than the candidates’ policies.”
Colbert has the ability to make everybody laugh at the humorous aspects of U.S. politics, but the joke maybe went too far.
Greens get down to the nitty gritty
By Caitlin Barrett
Green Party activist Sheldon Schafer looked out at about 250 people crowded into the Union Lamoine Room on Thursday evening and said, “Ask not what your world can do for you, but what you can do for your world.”
That made perfect sense in the keynote address by the Peoria Greens’ treasurer and secretary, who told Mock Presidential Election delegates that John F. Kennedy inspired him to join the Peace Corps and become politically involved.
Schafer encouraged students to get involved, too -- early in the presidential race.
“If you want change you have to start somewhere and if the Green movement is going to take effect, [our efforts] have to start now,” he said.
Schafer received a standing ovation for his speech, which included a listing of the 10 key values of the Green Party. Also listed on the U.S. Green Party’s website (http://www.gp.org/), the values were first ratified at the Green Party National Convention in Denver, Colo., in 2000.
Schafer emphasized the party’s attempts to promote equal opportunity, non-violence, decentralization, gender equality, diversity and community-based economics.
However, true to its name, the Greens’ key values tackle ecological issues, too – 30 percent of them, including environmental sustainability (protecting valuable natural resources with long-term goals in mind), personal and global responsibility, and overall ecological wisdom.
Besides being wide-ranging, the platform adopted is also passionate. Of 20 planks presented by Robert Casey -- MPE committee chairman for the Greens and president of WIU’s Campus Greens -- most either strongly-favored or strongly opposed an issue.
Planks such as “taxes on gas guzzling vehicles,” “government regulation of the oil companies” and “immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq” all were strongly favored. But the party strongly opposed such things as “vouchers for children attending private and parochial schools,” “extension of the Patriot Act” and “expansion of nuclear energy.”
As weighty as these issues seemed, the issue that evoked the most enthusiasm was the legalization of marijuana.
The last task at hand was the Green Party’s nomination of a Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate to represent them at Monday’s Electoral College vote at Western Hall. Instead of having students speak on behalf of the candidates, there was video of three diverse Green candidates: a woman, Kat Swift; the pony-tailed Kent Mesplay, and an African-American, Jared Ball. Unfortunately, the audio of Swift and Mesplay’s speeches, recorded from the Green Party National Convention, was hard to hear, although Ball’s dialogue about his “hip-hop” approach to campaigning was audible.
In the end, the vast majority voted for Ball as President and Mesplay as Vice President.
However, if the Mock Presidential Election plays out anything like the real things, Green supporters may be disappointed Monday. That’s too bad, said WIU political science professor and third-party expert Jeff Taylor.
“It’s a shame that the U.S. government is so dominated by two parties.” he said.
“Since the beginning of our government’s history, it has been winner-takes-all,” Taylor said. “Other countries have numerous parties and practice proportional representation.”
“Until the United States embraces proportional representation, Taylor said, third parties won’t be successful other than at state and local levels.”
Still, the optimistic, peaceful ways of the Green Party are enticing. But one wonders whether the party’s rejection of corporate funding and pursuit of a grassroots democracy works out for the idealism they embrace.
Green Party activist Sheldon Schafer looked out at about 250 people crowded into the Union Lamoine Room on Thursday evening and said, “Ask not what your world can do for you, but what you can do for your world.”
That made perfect sense in the keynote address by the Peoria Greens’ treasurer and secretary, who told Mock Presidential Election delegates that John F. Kennedy inspired him to join the Peace Corps and become politically involved.
Schafer encouraged students to get involved, too -- early in the presidential race.
“If you want change you have to start somewhere and if the Green movement is going to take effect, [our efforts] have to start now,” he said.
Schafer received a standing ovation for his speech, which included a listing of the 10 key values of the Green Party. Also listed on the U.S. Green Party’s website (http://www.gp.org/), the values were first ratified at the Green Party National Convention in Denver, Colo., in 2000.
Schafer emphasized the party’s attempts to promote equal opportunity, non-violence, decentralization, gender equality, diversity and community-based economics.
However, true to its name, the Greens’ key values tackle ecological issues, too – 30 percent of them, including environmental sustainability (protecting valuable natural resources with long-term goals in mind), personal and global responsibility, and overall ecological wisdom.
Besides being wide-ranging, the platform adopted is also passionate. Of 20 planks presented by Robert Casey -- MPE committee chairman for the Greens and president of WIU’s Campus Greens -- most either strongly-favored or strongly opposed an issue.
Planks such as “taxes on gas guzzling vehicles,” “government regulation of the oil companies” and “immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq” all were strongly favored. But the party strongly opposed such things as “vouchers for children attending private and parochial schools,” “extension of the Patriot Act” and “expansion of nuclear energy.”
As weighty as these issues seemed, the issue that evoked the most enthusiasm was the legalization of marijuana.
The last task at hand was the Green Party’s nomination of a Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate to represent them at Monday’s Electoral College vote at Western Hall. Instead of having students speak on behalf of the candidates, there was video of three diverse Green candidates: a woman, Kat Swift; the pony-tailed Kent Mesplay, and an African-American, Jared Ball. Unfortunately, the audio of Swift and Mesplay’s speeches, recorded from the Green Party National Convention, was hard to hear, although Ball’s dialogue about his “hip-hop” approach to campaigning was audible.
In the end, the vast majority voted for Ball as President and Mesplay as Vice President.
However, if the Mock Presidential Election plays out anything like the real things, Green supporters may be disappointed Monday. That’s too bad, said WIU political science professor and third-party expert Jeff Taylor.
“It’s a shame that the U.S. government is so dominated by two parties.” he said.
“Since the beginning of our government’s history, it has been winner-takes-all,” Taylor said. “Other countries have numerous parties and practice proportional representation.”
“Until the United States embraces proportional representation, Taylor said, third parties won’t be successful other than at state and local levels.”
Still, the optimistic, peaceful ways of the Green Party are enticing. But one wonders whether the party’s rejection of corporate funding and pursuit of a grassroots democracy works out for the idealism they embrace.
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