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Page 4 - June 13, 1984 W131111 Oil THE GAMECOCK - Jesse Jackson moves mountains i? <l i.. i AOA- /^i i-. o: i i c in me eariy i^ous, singer \^ariy aimon nau one 01 her biggest hits by declaring she didn't need her lover in the catchy chorus,4 * Jesse, I won't cut fresh flowers for you." The Democratic Party used to sing that song, too. But that was a long time ago, back when John Glenn was still a presidential contender, before a black preacher from South Carolina became more than a one-issue candidate. Yes, Jesse, the party should buy youbouquetsof roses these days. As a oresidential candidate, the Rev. Jesse Jackson has far surpassed what anyone expected of him when the primary system began. He's negotiated for the release of Navy Lt. Robert Goodman from Syrian prisoner-of-war status. His appeal has earned him matching federal funds that have carried him through the campaign. He's lasted through the bitter end of a tough primary season that saw serious contenders such as Glenn, Alan Cranston and Fritz Hollings admit earlv Heffatc He's largely responsible for doubling voter turnout and registration in several Southern states. And most important ? he's earned 372.2 delegates to the national convention, according to the Associated Press delegate count. Numbers like that mean power. He may not be near a high-level national office, but the 42-year old who was considered a political joke, interested only in civil rights issues, has won himself a piece of the Democratic Party pie. 4'My role would be to expand our party, not to divide it," Jackson has said. And expand it he has. It's widely assumed that Jackson's legion of support includes the nation's disinherited, tho&e voters who don't normally make it to the polls. So the Greenville, S.C., native can show up at the convention with a whole new support base to cive the Democratic Partv. He exnerts in return o J' ?" ?- ?-that his more extreme concerns ? reduction of military buildup in Europe; recognition of the PLO; and changes in the primary electorate system ? will be given a sympathetic ear. - v. _ A- _ 1 _ _ _ _ /* . n mat remains 10 oe seen, ine majority 01 tne Democratic Party is not interested in most of Jackson's policies and will bend only slightly when considering them in the party platform. How Jackson deals with the convention will be interesting. He's won himself potential power, but he could lose it just as quickly by refusing to yield on key issues. If the Democrats are to have a hope of giving Reagan a contest in November, they must call on every base of support they've got. To deny Jackson's influence would be a costly mistake. Unless the reverend gets ornery come convention time, he should be in a position to give a significant gift to the Democratic Party. And in Election '84, that's enough to make the folks who sang the old Carly Simon song quit giggling about Jesse Jackson and change their tune ? fast. Gamecock Editor in Chief Leslie J. Dunson News Editor Marise Porto General Manager Hon Emler Entertain. Editor... Robert O'Connor Ad Manager Ron Emler Sports Editor Tracy Mixson Business Manager .. Carolyn Griffon Dateline Editor Margarita Pate Production Mgr Mark McEwan Photo Editor Drew Pearson Graduate Asst Wanda M. Hite Copy Editor Ann Farmer Adviser Mark Ethridge Jr. Copy Editor Herb Reeves Newsroom 777-7181 Advertising 777 4249 Business Office 7773888 Production 777-2833 The Gamecock welcomes letters and guest editorials. All letters and guest editorials must be typewritten, triple spaced on a 65-spaceline. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and guest editorials should be limited to one newsworthy sublet no longer than four typed pages. Letters and guest editorials MUST be signed with the writer's name, telephone number, mailing ad dress, class standing or faculty position and major. Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but the writer's name may be withheld upon request if the circumstances warrant. We reserve the right to edit guest editorials and letters. Address fetters and columns to: Opinion Page Editor, Gamecock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S.C. 29208. I 5 <^?0 IRfL^i'. vvHal o wrun Election disputes, election disputes, election disputes. Everywhere we turn, c Ami c r*arv* nloininn oKr\nt />la/^ ovsiuvi/uw 10 vuui^iaiiuug ai/uui tivt" tions and election returns. Although Christian Democrat Jose Napoleon Duarte won the election in El Salvador, his opponent, rightwinger Roberto d'Aubuisson, refused to acccpt the election results. D'Aubuisson cried about invalid votes, called the election "a farce" and claimed he would be the actual winner li tne mvaiia votes were cast out. bure, Roberto. And then there's Panama. rauaiua a mai ^i^diuuiuai uctuuii in 16 years resulted in a breakout of gunfire that killed one demonstrator and injured 40 others who were waiting to cop the election results. And still there is no proclaimed winner because of Panama's slow, irregular vote counting system. Think that sounds bad? How about the Philippines? Pre-election violence there tied in with illegal "vote-buying" tactics has claimed several hundred lives already. There is even a crazy "ink controversy*' boiling. American-made indelible ink was supposed to stain a voter's finger to combat the possibility of multiple voting. But ? you probably guessed it already ? a little rubbing alcohol and plhnu/ orpacp qr*H nrpctnl Int't all nnna W.wx VMUV MUM pi VJIV t III\ O UU ?VSUVr and back to the voting booth. Politicians are accusing each other of importing the ineffective ink. Now, there is a campaign to boycott the Philippines elections. Even here at home, right on our own campus, we have an election dispute. Former Student Senate member Dan Berglund, who ran for the senate presidency in the April 24 and 25 elections, has filed grievances against win ner iNeai Denton and his ticket. We are sitting here asking ourselves, "What is really going on?" What is going wrong in all of these "democracies?" A democracy is supposed to be government "by the people," complete with leaders who are chosen by the people. But how can a democracy exist when the political leaders who run in the elections won't even accept the results of those elections? With the C.I.A. pumping money into campaigns to sway voters in Central America, military regimes that topple the elected governments if they don't like them and governments who murder their opposition, we don't LCCETELLTOM ^ IT-rt *irVmr - sr//////** Aiuwtuv JfctwiNti WELL, mm Intercampus M ?? !? ? * fl<t y vviiii uui uc understand how any of these countries can call themselves democratic states. The Post Ohio University The primary scuffle has run its course, but the real battle has yet to come. As the initial smoke clears, Mondale emerges the apparent victor. But there is still snmp fioht lf?ft in hie worthy opponents. The Chrirnson White believes that Hart and Jackson should wade right back into the fray. Hart and Jackson both claimed victories after last night's returns came in. Hart outraced Mondale in New Mexico and South Dakota and swept the California primary, leaving Mondale 12 delegates short of the 1.967 needed for nomination. Jackson has claimed victories on the basis of consistent third-place showings. Mondale and his supporters should learn something from the strength of his opposition. It is time for a change in the Democratic party, mondale represents the old line Hemnrrat u/hncp etrpnoth lies mainly in labor backing. The stigma of his association with the weak Carter administration also could sway independent voters toward the more flamboyant Reagan. Hart represents new ideas and a new vision for the Democratic party and for America. The strength of Jackson's showings indicate that a large Democratic section is dissatisfied with old line tactics. Although there is some concern that continued infighting may hurt the party and weaken its bid to topple the Reagan administration from office, Hart and Jackson should dig in and fight for their beliefs. Mondale cannot capture the imagination of the american public the way that Hart can. Hart's rise in status from darkhorse candidate to contAn/^ar io ^^ .1 * - * iviiuvi 10 iiiuii-auvc i11s appcail IU II1C voting public. Jackson's constituency can only benefit from his continuing battle. By shifting his delegate support to either Hart or Mondale, he could effectively cnange me outcome ot the race. In return for throwing his support behind either of the candidates, he could win strong concessions to his beliefs and those of his constituents. Mondale's support rests with the more conservative Democrats who h 'A \jf* CAIpKI UO /\n - v >v/>vu juiwi; i/aavu v^ll 11tl 111C recognition and the belief that he is the only candidate with a solid chance of defeating Reagan. r/< 1 ->v *^HB ^. MKtjQttiE^^g^^ >t^>JkJH^E^^^BBfi?9Ma&:^tti3SEDl9i2l JjZ-'.^^^mSB^S^^^^gm^MfWv,\ I mocracies? Hart's supporters have taken the more radical tact of not accepting the lesser of two evils. Voters that have the ronraof tn take a rhanrp have fnrmenrl the bedrock of Hart's constituency. The Democratic party had a harsh lesson to learn from the humiliating Carter/Reagan battle of 1980. Apparently, looking to Mondale's continued support, quite a few have not gotten the message. Hart and Jackson have indicated that they are ready to fight the old line. That is a good sign for Democrats and for the country. Mondale should not rest on his laurels. It ain't over 'till it's over. Crimson White Alabama It's too bad when the Democratic party must debate whether or not to select a woman as a vice presidential candidate. it has taken over 200 years for tllA nACCikilUtr /\f r% ma inv |/usoiuiinjf v/i a nwiuan 111 uui nation's second highest office to evolve to the point of serious consideration, and the Democrats behave as if the idea surfaced only yesterday. What is worse is the thought that if a woman is picked to fill the second spot on the Democrat's fall line-up, it may be done as a mere political ploy, to appeal to the voting conscience of women, who comprise over 50 percent of the electorate in America. At this rate, it may take 200 more years before a woman is chosen by merit for a spot on a national ticket. The Democratic Party could strengthen its role as the party of the common man if it demonstrates enough collective wisdom to give the vice presidential nod to a woman in 1984. Unfortunately, none of the top three Democratic hopefuls is likely to name a woman as his running mate in juiy. The point of all this is the fact that the Democrats need not feel they have painted themselves into a corner when it comes time to pick a vice presidential candidate. There are more than enough qualified prospects, and women are high on -the list of those qualified. Someday, a woman will occupy the White House, in a role besides that of First Lady. She may tie a Democrat, she may not be. And one decision she will have to make is whether or not a man would make a suitable running mate. The Indiana Student Indiana University