22B -The Michigan Daily Weekend Magazine - Thursday, October 31, 1996 or 0 A weekly list of who's where, what's happening and ET why you need to be there ... The Michig ily Weekend M Presidential Analysis: Crunch Time? Experts: Both are insiders, but Clinton sh< thursday CAMPUS CINEMA Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) A Halloween celebration including the film, goodies and a haunted house. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. Mich 5:30 p.m. To Live (1995) A brother and a sister deal with the changes that result when China reoc- cupies Hong Kong. Aud A, 8 p.m. Free. MUSIC Ann Arbor New Music Festival Featuring TopKat, The Still and Backseat Joyride. Michigan Theater. 7:30 p.m. $11 in advance. (810) 645-6666. Big Night (1996) Two Italian brothers try to save their restaurant by throwing a party to attract customers. Mich 8 p.m. The Exorcist (1973) Starring Linda Blair, this film follows the story of a child possessed by the Unholy One. Mich 10:15 p.m. Butterfly Originals mixed with reggae, disco, house and rock. A benefit for WCBN. Blind Pig. 9:30 p.m. Fat Amy Modern rock origi- nals from Lansing. Rick's. 9:30 p.m. RFD Boys Local bluegrass act. The Ark. 8 p.m. $8.75 at door. MUSIC Brother Rabbit Local pop-rock band plays cov- ers and originals. Rick's. 9:30 p.m. Sally Fingerett A member of the Four Bitchin' Babes comes to Ann Arbor for a solo appear- ance. The Ark. 8 p.m. $10 at door. Harms Way Ann Arbor's own speed metal band. Blind Pig. 9:30 p.m. THEATER The Pirates of Penzance '90s twist of this classic opens at Ann Arbor Civic Theater, 2275 Platt Rd. 7:30 p.m. $5, $7. 996- 3888. Apartment 3A Yet another original comedy by Jeff Daniels. This one deals with moving into a new place. Purple Rose Theater Co., Garage Theater, 137 Park St., Chelsea. 8 p.m. $10 to $24. 475-7902. ALTERNATIVES Halloween Yes, that's tonight. Be scary. Begins at dusk. Free. CAMPUS CINEMA Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) Food serves as a key metaphor in this story of genera- t al differences in Taipei. Nat Sci 5 p.m. Free. Ohayo (Good Morning) (1959) Two boys go on strike when their parents refuse to buy a television set. Japanese with subtitles. Nat Sc 7 p.m. Free. Rusted Root World music from radio-friendly band. Sold out. Hill Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Michelle Shocked Female folk style rock. 7th House in Pontiac. (810) 335-8100 The Wedding Present With guest Versus. Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac. (810) 333-2362. T H E A T E R Hello Out There William Saroy an's play about a rapist who falls in love.. Basement A rts, A ren a Theater (basement of Friezex Bldg). 6 p.m. Free 764- 5350. Pirates of Penzance See4 Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Apartment 3A See Thursday.f 8 p.m. ALTERNATIVES Michelle Sh Book signing and reception Michel Serres, the French philosopher of science, appears at Shaman Drum. 4 to 6 p.m. Free. saturday MUSI C r MUSIC Lou and Peter Berryman Singing / songwrit- ing duo. The Ark. 8 p.m. $11 at door. Big Dave and the Ultrasonics Blues originals from local group. Rick's. 9:30 p.m. Botfly Funk rock jams from East Lansing. Blind Pig. 9:30 p.m. Lemonheads One of People's most beautiful people performs with You Am I and Imperial Teens. St. Andrew's Hall. 961-MELT. Richard Thompson Folk rocker with full band. Michigan Theater. 8 p.m. $20, $25 or $30. (810) 645-6666. THEATER Hello Out There See Friday. 6 and 10 p.m. Pirates of Penzance See Thursday. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Apartment 3A See Thursday. 8 p.m. sunda CAMPUS CINEMA Koyaanisqatsi (1983) This film is a collage of images from land- scapes across the United States set to a majestic musical score. Mich 5 p.m. ' . Brother of Sleep (1996) A bril- liant composer's obsession with music wrecks his life. Mich 7 p.m. >::>>MUSIC Ann Arbor Bluestage Open mic blues jam. Blind Pig. $2 at door. Michael Hedges Acoustic mar- .:. ? tial arts guitar. The Ark. 8 p.m. $20 in advance. 763-8587. Sabri Brothers Along with Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn, the great- est performers of Qawwal. Rackham Auditorium. 4 p.m. $16 to $28. 764-2538. The Who Creators of the hit rock opera "Tommy." Palace ocked. at Auburn Hills. (810) 645- 6666. THEATER Pirates of Penzance See Thursday. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Apartment 3A See Thursday. 2 and 7 p.m. ALTERNATIVES Poetry Reading Alum Larissa Szproluk reads from her poems recently selected for a new anthology by Greywolf Press. Shaman Drum. 3 p.m. Free. By Jennifer Harvey and Laurie Mayk Daily Staff Reporters There is no outsider in the race for the White House this year. One candidate is a sitting presi- dent, and the other a three-time presidential can- didate and Washington veteran. Yet both are proposing to change the way gov- ernment works, and its role in the day-to-day lives of its constituents. Experts say the two contenders, President Clinton and Republican nominee Bob Dole, aren't far apart on the political spectrum. Both candidates are pressing change and growth as hot issues. Where they disagree is in just how that change should come about. But with a healthy economy and a therefore relatively content electorate, some say the out- come of the presidential election has little to do with rhetoric exchanged on the campaign trail. They say Clinton has had the race wrapped up for months. "I don't think issues are likely to affect voters very much (in the time remaining until the elec- tion)," said Gregory Markus, a University politi- WHERE DID THE CONTRACT Go? GOP Contract with America was touted in '92, non-existant this year By Jennifer Harvey Daily Staff Reporter In 1994, Republicans were telling voters about their Contract with America. This election season, it has barely been mentioned. The document that served as one of the biggest political public- ity vehicles in history is conspicuously absent from the 1996 Republican campaigns. Experts said the contract backfired on the Republicans. University political science Prof. John Kingdon said he is not surprised that Republicans are not running on the contract this year. "That's what got them in trouble in the first place"he said. Ex;.,3 Kingdon said the contract opened a door for Democrats to attack Republicans. "The Republicans were in a position to con- solidate a longtime majority in this country. P acI They blew it, Kingdon said. "They shut down the government a couple times and got them- selves in a position where Clinton could accuse ' them of being extremist." ,EeplJ One man came to personify the contract -- Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.). He too has been out of the national spotlight in recent months, except in Democrats' advertisements. "The Democrats and their special interests have invested mil- lions and millions to try to demonize Newt," said Haley Barbour, chairman of the Republican National Committee. Republicans deny abandoning the contract or Gingrich because of the negative publicity, but many notice their absence. "It's not only invisible coming down to the wire, it's been invis- ible for all of 1996," said Gregory Markus, a University political science professor. cal science professor. "It's been set for three months. 0 "The Clinton campaign was very effective in linking Bob Dole with prospective Medicare cuts and that rattled a lot of older voters," Markus said. John Kingdon, another A University political science professor, agreed that there isn't much race in this race. "(The presidential elec- tion was) pretty much set- tied by the middle of last summer," Kingdon said. Kingdon said the lack of heated competition is due in Clinton part to a changing elec- torate. "Most elections are not prospective, they are retrospective," Kingdon said. "The electorate assesses the situation in the recent past and they say, 'Do I like what I see or not?"' In this case, Kingdon said, people saw a nation at peace and growing economically. Clinton was lucky to inherit a country in an upswing, and there is little chance his luck won't hold, Kingdon said. "(Dole/Kemp campaigners) certainly haven't made any dents in the Clinton lead," said com- munications studies Prof. Michael Traugott. Clinton's significant lead in the polls has led congressional GOP candidates to stray from aligning themselves too closely with the Dole/Kemp ticket, said some analysts and Democrats. "The Republicans are abandoning Bob Dole ..," said Michigan Democratic Party chair Mark Brewer. Republican party officials, however, said can- didates are not jumping ship, but supporters real- ize the tough race ahead. "(Dole) says he's the underdog and knows he's behind in the polls," said Republican National Committee Chair Haley Barbour in a teleconfer- ence this week. Experts say voters should expect few surprises from either candidate. Some said if Clinton wins, he, like many re-elected presidents, may search for an issue or project to leave a favorable impression on historians. "Most presidents in their second term are look- ing to make a mark so they'll be remembered But just because the term "contract" isn't being talked about does- n't mean it's gone, said Michael Shields, spokesperson for Gingrich. He characterized the hushing of the contract as changing a "rat- ings war to an issues war." Shields said the ideas in the contract are no longer being talked about under the one label, but instead are being discussed plainly as issues. Shields said the essence of the contract is still a vital part of Republican campaigns. "Every single item in the contract was voted on. Nine-tenths passed the House. Two-thirds of the contract became law"he said. 's sa i "It's still very much in the American agenda," Shields said. "Many of its issues are part of this election. It really did become the Republican message. "I think there is a focus on it; he said. "Candidates are still talking about the issues at-the heart of it, like welfare and regulato- ry reform." "The left has managed to manipulate that terminology and give it a different connota- tion," Shields said. Markus saidhe believes there are two clear reasons Republicans have stopped talking specifically about the contract. He said polling has showed Republicans reasons to stop talking about the contract. "No. 1 --the majority of voters don't know what the contract is and never did, not even in 1994" Markus said. "And No. 2-- vot- ers who do have some idea of what it is generally believe it has gone beyond what is fair and is too extreme." Markus said the two factors add up to one basic idea: "It's not something voters care about." Court Both par dollars ir 18 elects By Laurie Mayk Daily Staff Reporter The battle for si Democrats aren't the state, thousan< ments are evidenc to collect Michig nificance that cor "Neither Bob [ ning Michigan," Campaign in Mic While the state lost a previously Republican gover Michigan's eli Republican Gov. vice presidentials who had a promi Chicago and Der chair the Senat Democratic majo "Michigan's a Republican Natic conference earlie This division it gation, said Rep. "Michigan is a Political scienc ter" label, howev sions, he said. Election Special 1996 Editor: Josh White Government Reporters: Jennifer Harvey, Laurie Mayk Election Special Writers: Katie Plona, Ericka Smith, Will Cover Art of Clinton/Dole by Marcy M. McCormick Managing News Editor: Amy Klein News Editors: Tim O'Connell, Megan Schimpf, Michelle Weekend Magazine Editors: Greg Parker, Elan A. Stavro Weekend Magazine Photo Editor: Kristen Schaefer. Writers: Dean Bakopoulos, Melanie Cohen, Use Harwin Photogmphers:aJosh Bigge, Jonathan Summer,,Warren2