The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 21, 1992, Page 3, Image 3
1
Debates
Now into the final election stretch,
students need to make their choice
The debates are over and voters have less than two weeks t
decide which candidates they will vote for.
In this year of general voter discontent toward the process, th
institutions and their methods of operation, the number of regis
tered voters has taken a dramatic upturn breaking the trend of vol
er aoathv.
Voters have three candidates from which to choose, which ma
be a factor for the increased interest in the campaign. Clinton sai
in the last debate the American people are tired of either-or propc
sitions and the polarization of opinion forced on the voters.
With the addition of a third candidate, the American peopl
have had the chance to let off a little steam. The press may se
support for Perot as a sign of protest or as just throwing awa
your vote. However, millions of people have been drawn into th
process as a result.
There may be concerns, deep concerns, as to the credibility (
each candidate. But in this campaign, the debates and the electic
process have had a more dignified tone because of the dynami<
of a three-man race.
The debate formats allowed each candidate to play on the
strengths. The first debate allowed Bush and Perot to be chari:
matic toward the panel of questioners. It also gave Clinton
chance to look presidential. Most importantly, it prevented negi
five attacks which most voters find unappealing.
The second debate in which "real people" asked questior
allowed TV viewers to feel more connected to the election. It ga\
voters the chance to criticize the candidates for negative campaie
tactics, and ask them to change their ways. Clinton looked persoi
able, while Bush was forbidden from hitting a knockout blow.
The third debate was more traditional. Mudslinging occurre
but a healthy discussion of the issues was more prominent. Per
again made sure that issues dominated the debate, while Bu?
tried hard to deliver the fatal blow to Clinton. Bush performed be
ter in this debate than he had previously, harkening back to tl
debates with Michael Dukakis.
If the debates did anything, they helped the voters become mo
active members of the electoral process.
"AflP WITH MB,W N ONLY 6ET QUA/LE
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Editor in Chief Greg Rickabaugh
Managing Editor Patrick Villegas
Copy Desk Chief Jay King
News Editors Chad Bray
J.T. Waaenheim
Viewpoints Editor Jack Dunn
Features Editor Lee Clont2
Sports Editors Nancy Salomonsky
Tim Thorser
Photo Editor Stephanie Newlir
Graphics Editor Ryan Sims
Cartoonist Paul Jor
Asst. News Editor Melissa Tenner
Asst. Features Editor Jennifer Fullei
Asst. Sports Editor Rob Rodusky
Asst. Viewpoints Editor C.E. Holmar
Asst. Photo Editor Lea Claytor
Asst. Graphics Editors Kristin Buehlmar
Greqorv Perei
Asst. Copy Desk Editor Brian 6arlanc
Production Manager ....Laura Da}
Asst. Production Manager Jim Greer
Faculty Advisor..\ Erik Collins
Advertising Manager Renee Gibsor
Student Media Coordinator Jim McKellai
Graduate Asst Brian McGuirc
Darkroom Technicians Erin Gallowa}
Rika Hashimotc
The Gamecock will try to print all letters receive*
Letters-should be 200-250 words. Full name an
professional title, or year and major if a student, mui
be included along with address and phone numbe
The Gamecock reserves the right to edit letters fc
style, possible libel or space limitations. Th
Gamecock will not withold names under an
circumstances.
/iewpo
6 Change for cl
Forget the polls, George Bush hit the winning
run Monday night. One he needed to carry the
election.
Bush defended a two-person attack and main- w
tained his integrity. He told voters he raised taxes ?
because he "knew it was right" at the time. He
was strong in character and gave a taste of why E
he remains very presidential and should be re-1
0 elected.
Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton is a fake and refuse
es to tell the American people the truth about the
?- problems in his home state, his protests during
t- the Vietnam War or on other issues which he
waffles on. He is not worthy of serving in the
Y Oval Office.
^ As for Ross Perot, he raises pertinent economic
issues. However, his quote on Monday night
)_ about issues being "irrelevant" is the exact word
A (r\r (ho rirpciHpnPV If hp was
IU UC5U1UC 1115 1 Ull IU1 U1V plVvJlUVilVJ . JLM. AAW ??
e smart, he would have backed the candidate of his
:e choice, and given his supporters a real chance at
iy electing a new president. America doesn't want a
ie quitter and is not quite ready for an independent
candidate.
^ The debates are over, and students are welcome
to write in letters of support for their candidate.
The letters more likely to appear are the
"s shorter, succinct letters. This way we can print a
greater number of them,
ir The four debates, including the vice presiden5
tial debate, have covered most every issue
a addressing America. The following are my picks
1 Emotional mar
re,
With less than two weeks betore the November
'n election, most Americans have been captivated
1_ by the race for the White House. Record numbers
of Americans have registered to vote, setting the |
d, stage for what appears to be a much tighter elec- |
Ot tion than any other in more than a decade.
;h The overwhelming issue that has surfaced at
,t_ the forefront of the campaign is the national ie
economy. With the conclusion of the cold war,
more emphasis has been placed on the domestic
agenda. Americans are seeking a "quick fix" to
re the problems of the ailing economy and the skyrocketing
national debt. The candidate who
addresses these issues with a reasonable degree
of understanding and can manipulate the national
mood will in all likelihood be elected president.
The manipulation of public emotion and sentiment
by a candidate, will almost always guarantee
that individual a political victory. This statement
is a central theme behind any political campaign
and essentially is what politics is all about.
Ross Perot is a classic example of this particular
notion. His bid for the presidency is rooted
solely in his own ability as a businessman. His
political platform is grounded almost entirely on
ways to solve the federal economic "mess" in
Washington. He presents himself as one who will
Kooky candidal
Two weeks have passed since I announced
my candidacy for president. I have garnered
praise and criticism for my ideas. Some say I
lack specifics in my plans, so I've decided to
address those charges on network TV by airing
my infomercials.
Unfortunately, Mr. Perot bought all the good
time slots.
All I could buy was time right before the
informative Amazing Discoveries, the show selling
useless items no one can afford. Those products
inspired me to expand my platform on...
Resupplying the timber industry: Because
of the shortage of saws in America, I have
? worked out a contract with the Ginsu company
to supply the timber industry with the Ginsu
2000. See it slice through a spotted owl ^nd still
slice tomatoes paper-thin.
Crime: I've been called "soft on crime." In
my issue paper, I've proposed two ideas that
I will end crime forever. I will demand that all
i death sentences be carried out by something
^ more sinister than the electric chair. Lethal
injection? No. Death by Garden Weasel!! If it
I can rip up my garden that well, just think what it
. will do to some rapist's...spleen.
If that isn't cruel enough, you'll love this.
Prisons will install Muzak systems playing nothing
but Village People, Milli Vanilli and Vanilla
Ice music.
1 World Peace: To promote world peace, every
house will be supplied with Freedom Rock.
' "Freedom Rock," you say? "Well turn it up,
I man!"
I Gun Control: I'm in favor of banning all
Advertisement for
To the editor: should rea
I was appalled to see an adver- ing freedo
tisement for an IRA benefit in The their side.
Gamecock classifieds on Friday. eating ten
As a British citizen, I have seen Before vi<
sectarian murders escalate to the would urs
extent that they are almost a daily your mon<
event, and this is entirely due to the conseque
activities of the IRA and their loy- another in
alist counterparts.
During my two-month stay in
this country, I have repeatedly seen Econc
the Irish Republican cause glamorized,
with little mention of the suf- Xo the ed
fering caused, or of the simple fact As a :
' the majority of Northern Irish citi- Ireland a
e zens want to remain British. like t0 cc
In backing the IRA, Americans
ints
hange's sake isnr
' James !
U?U|aHlUaJ '; iW right now
Quayle
DI TOR -IN- CHIEF ** ^ most in th
! 'I Stockdi
of the most memorable quotes from each of the. ^^^emls
debates ? unbiased, uncensored. Bush: '
Starting with the first presidential debate: the Waffle
Bush: "I said something the other day where I Clinton
was accused of being like Joe McCarthy because t {
... I think it's wrong to demonstrate against your the ^.g^,
own country or organize demonstrations against Perotyour
own country on foreign soil." instead of
Clinton: "Your father was right. ... You were ^one ?
wrong to attack my patriotism. I was opposed to
the war but I love my country."Perot: "If I get ciinto
there (the White House), it would be a very tonjght T
unusual and historic event." ^ '
Clinton: "Tonight I would say to the president, BushMr.
Bush, for 12 years you've had it your way, perotyou've
had your chance and it didn't work. It's t '
lime to change."
Bush: "Change for change's sake isn't nollrue?
enough." Clintoi
The Vice Presidential debate yielded more inter- class tQ
esting quotes: Bush;
Gore: "Isn't it time for a new approach, a new ,
generation of ideas and leadership, to put our f w^j
lipulation weakens
President
COLUMNISTI I process3']
well recel
tackle the problem head on. Ihe idea that we, or Office. ^
the American people, not Ross himself, will take attention
back the country, is clearly rehearsed rhetoric in mental ac
order to play on public emotion. pie.
President Bush and Governor Clinton also The e
employ this technique to varying degrees. This is ticularly :
politics as it has been and seemingly always will a polishe
be. your vote
Candidates focus in on limited aspects of the this elect
government. They focus on pressing problems examine
drawing the most public attention. Most elections not just I
are decided by a very small range of issues. This deep tho
is a great travesty because the office of the presi- determin<
dent or any other government office is not limit- try. Decii
ed to a few issues. political
The three presidential debates seemed too the presi
superficial because the issues presented were presidenl
often evaded. The candidates took every opportu- amass pu
te addresses more I
Aftc
^? . dispos
l|^? aHh . nee(* 1
j about i
inpBi wt ThiS
A " Dahm<
COLUMNIST! I good."
[ m || Mo)
done at
guns. However, detenseless vegetarians will be SQme -r
allowed to carry the Salad Shooter to help stop t>elwee]
the recent rash of kumquot thieves.
Global Economy: America must become the vice
cornerstone in the new global economy. In this runnjnj
transition, cable TV will be our leader. Make Uph0id
way for the Global Shopping Network. Soon . yice
everyone in Tokyo will be cooking sushi in the
Super Snacker and eating it off commemorative ^me
Elvis plates. solutior
Water Pollution: America's water is polluted tQ ^ear
with oil, raw sewage, paper, cars, and Mafia <-om
hits. How can we clean this up? It's easy with aren't Didi-7!
I've seen this stuff dissolve oil, ink, and ceRt '
paint in a water-filled punch bowl. Just think 50jv ^
how clean Boston Harbor could become? comes
Funeral Costs: America's morticians are rob- nc>ran
bing the dead with their ridiculous prices. We c ^/e \
are also running out of valuable cemetary space. better
As we know, the human body is mostly water. 20jnct
If only we could figure out how to remove all tQ mak(
that water to make the corpse more compact? Qur
With the Food Dehydrator it's easy. If this winin2
machine can reduce watermelons to dust, just transfu!
think how compact Granny will be? You could yQte
fit her in a jewelry box. kooky i
MTiirirlrlJ
IRA makes light of pc
lize they are not support- ment for the Irish Northern /
>m fiahters with riaht on Carolina Unit.
They are, in fact, advo- First, the IRA is NOT condi
orism, pure and simple, ing a war of liberation in North
iiting T.W. Muldoon's, I Ireland. I fail to see how an org*
;e you to consider where zation practicing intimidation, ra
;y is going and what the eteering and extortion on its o
nces may be for yet community can claim to be libe
nocent bystander. ing anyone. All the IRA is help
to do is keep Catholics <
Andrew Abbey Protestants apart.
>mics and History junior Second, while admitting
Catholic population in North
itor: Ireland has suffered persecuti
student from Northern attempts have been made by
ttending USC, I would Bntlsh government to bring ec
mment on the advertise- employment opportunities
Catholics. These steps have m(
t enough'
st and to get our economy moving
: "Take a breath, Al. Inhale."
Stockdale: "I think America is seeing
iKo rairnn thic natir\n ic in OrirtlfVk' "
uiiv lvaovu uuo uunvu *u
:"The three words he (Clinton) fears
e English language: tell the truth."
ile: "I feel like an observer at a ping
?"
from the second presidential debate:
'You can't turn the White House into
: House."
i: "I'm not not interested in his characnterested
in changing the character of
ency."
"If they would talk to one another
throwing rocks, I think they'd get a lot
i and final debate:
n: "I'm going to make some news
he person responsible for economic poladministration
will be Bill Clinton."
'That's what worries me."
"I can say that I ran a small grocery
the corner, therefore, I extrapolate that
fact that I could run Wal-Mart. That's
n: "I will not raise taxes on the middle
ay for these programs."
"Mr. and Mrs. America, when you hear
we're going to tax only the rich, watch
et."
> campaign
:base the other's character and position,
nee again, to play on public sentiment,
a candidate has persuaded the public he
le best job, he is often elected. Former
Reagan was a good example of why
ipeal helps a candidate in the election
Reagan was one of the most liked and
ivpH nrpeiHpnfc ever fn serve in the Oval
/hy? Because of his command of public
and his cordial relations among governors,
the media and the American peonain
point that needs to be stressed, parin
this election, is simply this: Don't let
d showman steal your confidence and
: with a political slight-of-hand trick. In
ion it is the responsibilty of the voter to
all elements of a candidate's platform,
to focus on pressing issues, but to give
ught on how this man will act and to
i if this man is the one to lead our counje
for yourselves by looking beyond the
facades and into what really counts ?
dency as a whole, and all the issues a
: faces ? not just a limited few that
blic attention.
Looky issues
;r dehydrating the body, you can even
e of it at home, thereby removing the
for an expensive funeral. Flush! Talk
cost effective.
; proposal has been endorsed by Jeffrey
;r, who said "It's mmm, mmm (BURP!)
ley printing: All money printing will be
home with the Thighmaster. Just put
ik, paper, and a $1,000 engraving plate
a your thighs and "squeeze, squeeze,
your way to a richer country!"
President: I'm proud to announce my
I mate has been specially chosen to
the beliefs of this campaign. So here he
President Tim "Sportin' Fool" Thorsen.
ricans say they want to hear specific
ts for the issues. But, do we really want
them?
etimes the solutions to our problems
ilways pretty. Whether it involves a 50
s tax, a $150 billion tax increase, or even
lehydration, the fact remains when it
to specifics, America prefers to live in
ce.
vill have to realize that before things get
they will probably get worse. We are all
0 have to sacrifice something if we hope
1 things better.
economy is dying slowly. Are we really
to lose a little blood for an economic
sion?
Holman-Thorsen: Kooky candidates for
change.
litical situation
\id large degree of success. What I
cannot understand is how the IRA,
ict- by attempting to destroy business
ern investment in Northern Ireland, can
mi- possibly help Catholic employck
ment.
?wn Finally, dialogue is continuing
rat- between Protestant and Catholic
lanHaro ?rv tf\7 onH flfW I ^
'Ulij puiiuiat itautii5 iu u; unv> v.
ind peaceful solution to the problem.
Surely, the Irish Northern Aid
the Carolina Unit could spend more
ern time supporting peace rather than
on, divisiveness in Northern Ireland,
the
|ual Nicholas Morgan
to American Studies junior
it a