ANGELIDES AND DEAN Today, 12:30 p.m. Tom
Bradley International Center
For the second time in just over two weeks, Democratic
gubernatorial hopeful Phil Angelides plans to speak on campus today
in the latest in a series of recent visits from high-profile
politicians.
Angelides will be accompanied by Democratic National Committee
Chairman and 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean.
Some students said visits by political figures such as Bill
Clinton and Barbara Boxer, both of whom have come to UCLA in recent
weeks, may help them decide how to vote in the upcoming
elections.
Nick Papas, a representative of Angelides’ campaign, said
Angelides and Dean plan to lead a rally in the Tom Bradley
International Center this afternoon. Dean, formerly governor of
Vermont, ran for president in the Democratic primaries in 2004.
“They’re going to be encouraging UCLA students and
Californians to get out the vote Nov. 7,” Papas said, adding
that he was not sure whether Angelides would discuss any
propositions on the ballot.
The event, which Bruin Democrats helped organize, is open to the
public.
Rachel Duran, a second-year French and linguistics student, said
she finds it useful to hear politicians speak about specific
issues, such as individual propositions.
“As a student, I don’t really have time to look
through all the propositions,” she said. “With someone
I respect as much as Bill Clinton or Phil Angelides (speaking about
an issue), it’s an easier way to decide how I’m going
to vote.”
But Jayme Farrell-Ranker, a second-year sociology student, said
she uses visits from politicians as a jumping-off point to do more
research, rather than as a way to decide how to vote.
“I think it just makes you look more into it,” she
said. “It doesn’t necessarily sell you on
it.”
The majority of popular political figures who have come to
campus recently have been Democrats.
Papas said Angelides’ recent visits make sense because his
platforms relate to college students.
“Angelides has a plan to stand up for college students, to
make college more affordable,” he said, referring to
Angelides’ campaign promise to roll back fees at California
public universities.
He added that Angelides has been visiting many campuses around
the state, including taking a tour of the University of California
campuses.
But Duran said she believes visits by politicians are effective
in swinging students’ votes on particular issues rather than
on overall political affiliation.
“Because this is a college campus, most students are going
to be more liberal anyway, and probably vote for Democrats
more,” she said.
Farrell-Ranker said she also believes students would probably
not change political affiliation as a result of speakers coming to
campus.
“I don’t think (going to Angelides’ rally)
would make me any more likely to vote for him,” she said,
adding that she thought speakers are more effective when they
address specific issues.
“They should focus on one thing instead of selling
themselves,” Farrell-Ranker said.
Still, she said she believes students would be open to hearing
from qualified speakers regardless of their affiliation.
“I think most students are very politically aware, and
they like to hear the opinions of well-known politicians,”
she said. “It’s definitely nice to be
informed.”