|
NEWS
| October 13, 2004
Student Organizations
University Democrats only group to
attend political forum
The group holding the forum contacted
other groups who did not show.
 |
| The Shorthorn: Hayley Harris |
| Democratic Party sponsor Greg Bateson
discusses the election with University Democrats representatives
Tuesday evening in the University Center San Saba Room.
The debate was hosted by the National Association of Colored
Women’s Club. |
|
By English
Young
The Shorthorn
What was advertised as a political forum turned into a question-and-answer
session when only one organization showed up to represent its views
on candidates for the Nov. 2 elections.
Despite attempts to contact the College Republicans and Campus Libertarians,
the University Democrats were the only politically affiliated organization
to attend the National Association of Colored Women’s Club
Presidential Forum on Tuesday. Diamond Morris, vice president of
the club, said she contacted advisers for the Campus Libertarians
and College Republicans two weeks ago about the event, but neither
group responded.
The club was disappointed other groups did not attend, Morris said.
Morris said she made an effort to ask questions about the positive
sides of both ends of the political spectrum and define the issues
that the Democrats support. The organizations also encouraged the
audience members to watch the presidential debates for more information.
“I wanted to defend issues,” said Carl Blair, political
science senior and University Democrats president. “We wanted
to show students the differences between the organizations and I
think one of the biggest differences is that we took the time to
show up.”
The College Republicans felt that they were not given enough notice
about the event and were attending other events during the time
of the forum, College Republican President Kat Miller said.
“The [club] mentioned the forum at a meeting of ours last
week,” she said. “We are willing to help next time.”
The Campus Libertarians could not be reached for comment.
At the opening of the forum the University Democrats
presented the club with a campaign poster supporting Kerry.
The forum discussed Kerry’s stance versus the Bush administration’s
regarding everything from education, abortion, health care and minority
rights — including gay marriage.
“UTA has a policy against the discrimination of gays, and
the U.S. does not,” said Jeremy Serna, pre-med sophomore and
member of University Democrats. He said when they deny them the
same rights others have, it is discrimination.
During the event, students presented questions about the promises
made to minorities during the political elections and the way that
each candidate would respond.
University Democrats Adviser Greg Bateson encouraged the audience
to vote for members of the state legislature because he said the
legislature is in charge of issues that directly affect the campus,
including tuition increases.
“There is more than one election on Nov. 2,” Bateson
said. “If you don’t want to vote for the president,
vote for state legislature.”
|
|
