thursday. february 26, 2004
news
the university daily kansan
5A
Campus political groups debate Nader's running
By Marc ingber
mingber@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Ralph Nader's decision to enter the presidential race as an independent candidate has gotten mixed reactions from political groups at the University of Kansas.
Nader, who announced his decision to run on Sunday, said he wanted to challenge the twoparty duopoly that dominated the presidential elections.
Although his decision has been criticized for its possibility of splitting the Democratic vote, some feel that he won't make as much of an impact this year as he did in 2000.
Madelaine Marchin, Manhattan senior and tech executive for the University of Kansas Young Democrats, said she understood her party's concerns, but that it was his decision if he wanted to run.
She said they were justified in wanting him to stay out,but they shouldn't make a huge deal about it or be overly concerned.
"There is not a large group of people who like his policies enough to risk having Bush in
officeanotherfouryears,"she said.
Justin McFarland, Lenexa junior and University of Kansas College Republicans chairman, said Nader might be able to actually help Democrats at first by getting his name out there and criticizing Bush. But come election day, he could hurt them by taking votes away
Sam Arif, Wichita senior and public relations chairman for the College Republicans, said he saw where the Democrats' anxiety was coming from.
Nader
communication
"Political Strategy 101 teaches that the way to win an election is split the opposition," he said.
"However, I don't think he will make as big an impact as he did last time."
Arif said he was unsure why Nader decided to run as an independent this year rather than with the Green Party, whom he ran in with the 2000 election.
National
2000 PRESIDENTIAL
GENERAL ELECTION
RESULTS
Kansas
Gore: 48.38% (50,999,997 votes)
Bush: 47.87% (50,456,002 votes)
Nader: 2.74% (2,882,955 votes)
Gore: 399,276 votes
Bush: 622,332 votes
Nader: 36,086 votes
Source: Federal Election Commission
"I don't think there is any bad blood between the two," she said of Nader and the Green Party.
Amanda Harrison, Almont, Colo. senior and treasurer for the University of Kansas Green Party, said she was unsure of Nader's reasons for running as an independent.
The Green Party isn't planning on backing him in the election though because it will select its own candidate, she said.
- Edited by Ashley Arnold
African group will come to Kansas if bill passes Senate
By Andy Marso
amarso@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Troupe clears committees
Senate committees approved funding to bring an African dance troupe to Lawrence last night.
The troupe, Les Ballet Africanis, is a group of 40 dancers from The Republic of Guinea in West Africa.
The group is on a tour in the United States to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
It was the largest allocation of funds that the committee debated last night. Nevertheless, it had widespread support.
The funding will be voted on by full Senate next week.
STUDENT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SENATE
The Senate Finance Committee agreed to allocate $10,000 from the Senate unallocated fund to the Ethnomusicology Student Association to organize the troupe's Lawrence performance.
"This is the essence of cultural diversity," said Mark Dupree, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator. "It brings together
all kinds of cultures and ethnicities. Senate has done the University a great deed and one that should have been done years ago."
The bill to fund the performance was written by Evan Billings, fine arts senator. Clarence Henry, professor of ethnomusicology, said the troupe had a cultural, historical style that would be educational for students.
Scott McKenzie, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator, also supported the bill.
"We have to get students turned on to diversity, and music's a good way because it's something they can get into easily, it's not dry," McKenzie said. "Plus, Clarence Henry is the bomb."
Because of the troupe's size, Billings said it would perform at Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., instead of Woodruff Auditorium.
The event, scheduled for April
SENATE SPOTLIGHT
Name: Clarise Diaz
Year: Junior
Hometown: Lawrence
Position: architecture senator
Years in Senate: 1
Proudest Accomplishments:
Getting $9,500 for the
architecture lecture series for
architecture lecture series for this spring and getting general
funding for National Organization of Minority Architecture Students. Senate goals: Continue representing constituents in most
professional way possible.
way possible. Where she would be on Wednesday nights if not at Senate meetings: Probably at home relaxing on the couch, either sleeping or reading.
4, will be free to KU students, faculty and staff.
The bill to fund the troupe's performance will be voted on by full Senate next week.
Edited by Henry C. Jackson
band: $ (undisclosed amount)
kansan.com
www.lawrenceautodlag.com
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