Wednesday, May 1, 1996
Candidates argue mudslinging turns off student votersBy Brooke
Olson
Daily Bruin Staff
Historically, political campaigns are notorious for mudslinging
 and this year’s undergraduate elections are no
exception.
With only a week given for student candidates to announce their
political beliefs on Bruin Walk, this year’s elections have not
been immune to personal and political attacks from some political
parties.
"Yes, there have been confrontations between the various party
members, and it is sad that some people are unable to focus on what
really affects the students  the issues," said John Du, the
Students First! presidential nominee.
These attacks have led to strong tensions between this year’s
two main parties, the Students First! and the United Students
slates, said party members and students.
Claiming to avoid political mudslinging, members of the Students
First! slate maintain their campaign strictly focuses on student
issues.
"Negative campaigning alienates the students, and Students
First! does not want to do that," Du said. "We focus on positive,
pro-active solutions to the issues which affect students."
Furthermore, United Students members routinely use mudslinging
as a way to hide behind the fact that they do not have any
platform, Du added.
But United Students members were strong in their defense that
their slate does focus on issues affecting students.
"Students First! currently dominates council, and as candidates
it is our job to point out their mistakes," said Matt Shapiro,
campaign manager for United Student presidential candidate Brad
Miller.
"We acknowledge those mistakes and then follow up by saying what
we’re going to do for the students," Shapiro added.
Mudslinging does turn off voters, United Students members
admitted. With less than a 25 percent voter turnout, it it
important for the voters to be informed.
"It’s fifth week, students have midterms. The last thing they
need is to be bombarded by negative campaigns," said Ben Hofilena,
a United Students member.
Students agreed that mudslinging is one factor in not casting a
vote.
"All I want is to see what each slate will do, I don’t wan to
have to listen to a bunch of political rhetoric," said Vanessa
Withers, a third-year political science student. "It seems like the
same old bashing that is all too common in politics."
Students First! members agreed, and vowed that they are
attempting to stay away from personal and political attacks.
"By attacking the other slate, students are only creating to the
stereotypes of student government  that we are nothing but a
bunch of petty, wannabe politicians who will stoop to any personal
or political level to get elected," Du said.
"What Students First! is doing is not attacking the other slate;
instead we are telling the students what we are doing for them," he
added.
But United Students members are adamant that while focusing on
issues is important, students need to realize what this year’s
council did wrong.
"If Students First! can’t handle and accept their misgivings,
then they have dropped the ball on all of the students," said
Miller.
These misgivings, alleged United Students members, include the
Students First! using more than 50 percent of student funds to
sponsor four student groups, including MEChA, el Movimiento
Estudiantil Chicana y Chicano de Aztlán.
"The Students First! give the majority of their funds to four
student groups who support their ideology," Miller said.
This information though is wrong, said Students First! members,
explaining that in total, the four student groups received less
than 18 percent of student funds.
"I wish the United Students would get their information correct.
It’s all in the budget notes from the meetings," Du said. "I sit on
the Finance Committee and am aware of how the council spends its
money."
Regardless of which slate is misinformed, some students believe
that by rebutting each other in such a manner, the slates are
focusing on each others’ mistakes  not on their goals.
"It seems to me to be just a bunch of verbal mudslinging and all
I really want to know is what are they going to do for me, the
student," said Joe Whethers, a fourth-year communications
student.
Some students believe that … the slates are focusing on each
others’ mistakes  not on their goals.