TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2004
ELECTIONS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Students give time and energy to candidates, causes they believe in
By ANNIE McENBOE
correspondent@kansan.com
KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
As local and national candidates enter the home stretch of election season, KU students are putting in extra hours at various campaign headquarters.
At the office of the Douglas County Democratic Party, Lydia Krebs, an Oksaloosa second-year law student, supports John Kerry by filling out postcards encouraging people who haven't voted recently to hit the polls on Nov. 2.
Although the two don't share political views, both are familiar with the last-minute chaos that comes with a fast-approaching election.
AM: What made you feel strongly enough about the election to get involved?
Elizabeth Moss, Carmel, Ind., senior and events coordinator for the College Republicans, continues to spend Fridays and weekends in Topela working for Jim Ryan as part of an internship program.
LK: I think that this election is probably the most important one that I'll see in my lifetime, just because of the possibility of the appointment of several Supreme Court justices and the impact that could have. The thought of Bush appointing three or four Supreme Court justices is terrifying to me.
EM: It's something that I'm interested in, and the Republican Party has ideas I believe in. We have good representation in our state and I just want to keep it that way.
AM: Which issue is most important to you in this election?
LK: I'm most concerned with the Supreme Court justices, but that brings up a whole host of other issues.
EM: I really like what Ryun does for the economy — for small businesses and for hard-working Kansans, both for people working on farms and in small business.
AM: is there a part of your candidate's platform you would change?
LK: I definitely support gay marriage, and even thought it's probably not practical for a politician to do, I wish Kerry were more supportive of gay rights.
EM: I wish that some things didn't have to be the way they are. I wish we didn't have to deal with terrorism, for example. But we do. I wouldn't change anything, but I wish I could.
AM: What bothers you most about the onboarding candidate's platform?
LK: I have a problem with the way Bush stresses his own personal faith and moral judgment in his decisions, and how he panders to the religious right.
EM: Nancy Boyda has had some negative ads out against Jim Ryun, saying that he's not in touch with the state. She just moved here — just celebrated her one year term living in this district. She's been in the state less time than he's been representing his district.
AM: How does campaigning locally make a difference?
LK: Hopefully, it encourages people to get out and vote. As we saw last election, that doesn't always make a difference, but it's nice to think that it does.
EM: When you have lots of people sitting there wanting to know what's going on, that's the perfect opportunity to reach them. College students have really open minds, and they want to know what's going on, and that's an opportunity you don't get often in the working world.
AM: What has been your biggest frustration with this election?
LK: The fact that even when Bush's approval rating is less than 50 percent, the polls show him getting more than 50 percent of the vote. I think that Kerry's won all of the debates, and people just don't care.
EM: When you're involved in the campaign every day, it gets grueling. But you just have to keep pushing.
AM: What was your favorite moment in the debates?
LK: My favorite moment was when Edwards complimented Cheney on the way that he handled his daughter's sexual orientation, and Cheney had a chance to respond to the compliment, and instead of responding to the question he just said, 'Thank you.' It was probably the only example of civility and nonpartisanship that I've seen on Cheney's behalf.
EM: In the second debate one of the people in the audience posed the question about abortion. Because George Bush has these ideals, he's not going to give in — it was easy for him to answer the question. He was just like, "No. I'm against abortion." And that made me proud. A lot of politicians today want to appease the public, and you can't really tell where they're standing. George Bush is one of those guys where you can tell exactly what he's going to do based on what he says.
AM: What should the United States' next move be in Iraq?
LK: I think we need to concentrate on training soldiers and police in Iraq so we can get our soldiers out. And I think we need to make an effort to bring in other countries, even though Bush has probably ruined our chances there.
EM: We need to stay. We can't give up. But at the same time, we need to pay attention to what's going on out there. I think we need to watch North Korea very
closely, and watch Africa and make sure none of the genocide continues to occur. We need to focus on other international issues as well.
AM: How do you expect the election to turn out?
UK: I think it's too close to call
Moss
When you're involved in the campaign every day, it gets grueling. But you just have to keep pushing.
at this point.
EM: I don't think that Jim Ryuin is taking Nancy Boyda for granted. He is an incumbent, so that gives him a little bit of an advantage. I think he'll continue to be represent us.
AM: Where will you be on election night?
LK: I will be at a party at a friend's house.
EM: I will be hopefully celebrating Jim Ryun's victory — we're going to have a party.
KREBS
think this election is probably the most important
one that I'll see in my lifetime, just because of the possibility of the appointment of several Supreme Court justices and the impact that could have.
Elizabeth Moss, Carmel, Ind.. senior, is an events coordinator for the College Republicans. Moss spends Fridays and weekends in Topeka working for Jim Ryun as part of an internship program.
Lydia Krebs, Oskaloosa second-year law student, works to get out the vote for John Kerry by filling out postcards that encourage students to vote.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS OCTOBER 26,2004
Want a chance to voice your opinion and hear the opinions of others?
The RED PILL FORUM offers an open forum for the discussion of current and relevant topics among students.
BE HEARD. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS.
Experience something like you've never experienced before.
Experience God. Find a Purpose.
Thursdays 8pm. Wescoe 3140
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Are you interested in learning about the Vietnamese culture?
Do you want to make new friends?
Do you enjoy eating free food and having a good time?
Meeting: WHEN at 6pm Burge Union, 2nd Floor, Relay Room
Pharmacy Health Fair
Contact us: vsa@ku.edu
October 29, 9am-3pm
STUDENT SENATE
- Bone Density Screening
- Blood Glucose Testing
- Booths and Services Include:
- Body Mass Index Analysis
- Blood Presure Testing
- And Others!
- Chloestoral Screening
Contact cwoz@ku.edu for more info.
Oct. 28,7pm Pine Room, Kansas Union
Vietnamese Student Association
2nd Part of Two-part Seminar Today 6:30-10:00 pm ECM Center Basement $5 Students $8 Non-students
SCARED STRAIGHT:
How Homophobia Hurts Us ALL!
Second of Four Part Series Called The Real Person's Guide
This is what a feminist looks like. panel and discussion
Learn about feminism through definitions and personal experiences All panelists from KU community Hosted by Commission on the Status of Women.
Presented by Dennis Daily, KU Professor of Social Welfare Jayhawk Room, Kansas Union Oct.28 7-9pm
Communication and Fighting Fair
alternative spring break
This could be you.
Spend one week with a group of KU Students volunteering across the nation. Sign up toay.
Information and applications available at 428 Kansas Unionor online at www.kueu/-altbreaks/