One hundred ten years ofeditoriafreedom i NEWS: 76-DAILY CLASIFIED: 764,0557 wwwmkicgandaily.com Wednesday November 1, 2000 Dems seek ,majority in State house By Hanna LoPatin Daily Staff Reporter After losing control in 1998, Democrats are trying to regain a majority in the House of Representatives in the W coming election. But Inside Michigan Politics Editor Bill Ballenger doesn't think that's likely to happen. "The odds are against them being able to regain control," Ballenger said. Two years ago Republicans grabbed a 58-52 majority in the House, giving them control over the entire state Legisla- ture. The state Senate, in which the GOP holds an eight-seat advantage, is not up for election this year. Ballenger said many Democratic incumbents should be MAN IN THE MIDDLE Nader pulls Green faithful to Dearborn able to win re-election. But both Bal- ger and Republican Party okesman Sage Eastman cited the race of incumbent Rep. George Mans D-Trenton) as one seat that Republi- cans will likely add to their side of he aisle. "He's a representative who missed many crucial votes," Eastman said. Term limits have also opened sev- eral Democratic seats, including Washtenaw County's 53rd District. Wmocratic Rep. Liz Brater will be "OU NTDOWN TO By Yael Kohen Daily Staff Reporter DEARBORN --- Green Party can- didate Ralph Nader attacked the Democratic Party yesterday, stating that they are no different from Republicans. "These two major parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, are becoming more and more and more alike because C A M they're funded by the same industries," Nader said. ( "The Democratic Party has lost and abandoned its his- torical identity as a party for the working families." Nader said he supports public financing of all campaigns and opposes corporate contributions to political candidates. The consumer activist said he has not accepted any funds from corporations to serve as an example of his firm belief against corporate-financed elections. Nader emphasized his belief that major party presidential candidates [1 Al Gore and George W. Bush are both guilty of allowing big business to commit crimes against society. Nader cited statistics stating that in comparison to the 15,500 homicides throughout the country last year, 56,000 died from work place hazards including machinery accidents, cancer to due working in unsafe environ- ments, pollution, respiratory illnesses A G and defective products PA G such as Firestone tires. "It isn't even a contest between street crime and corporate crime," Nader said. With the presidential election so close, analysts predict that Nader may take enough votes from Gore to throw the election in Bush's favor. Some Democrats are afraid that "a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush," but Nader advocates chanted "a vote for Nader is a vote for Nader," assert- ing that they will not vote for who they believe is the "lesser of two evils." See NADER, Page 7 succeeded either by fellow Democrat Chris Kolb or Repub- lican Bob Bykowski. Another open seat is the 68th, where Rep. Lingg Brewer (D-Holt) is leaving behind a battle between Lansing Demo- crat Virg Bernero and Holt Republican Stuart Goodrich. "I think the Democrat has a substantial edge," Brewer said. The 68th District has elected a Democratic representa- tive every year since 1972. As to whether the Democrats will be able to regain con- trol of the House, Brewer said "hope is eternal." Rut with more than 90 percent of incumbents in both par- s likely to be re-elected, Ballenger said it's unlikely that more than 10 or 12 seats will change hands. The tight presidential race at the top of the ticket has pre- vented any momentum trickling down to state and local races, Ballenger said. Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Democratic Vice President Al Gore are neck-and- neck in Michigan. "If (the presidential race) is very close, it's every man and woman running for himself or herself" Ballenger said. Term-limited House Speaker Chuck Perricone (R-Kala- *zoo Twp.) said he is-optimistic about the Republicans maintaining control and is working hard campaigning for his party. In his own district, where Republican Tom George, See HOUSE, Page 7 ALEX WOLK/Daily Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader speaks yesterday during a rally at the University of Michigan at Dearborn. Nader seen as threat to Gore By Hanna LoPatin Daily Staff Reporter Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader has always had a good rapport with envi- ronmentalists - keeping the earth green has always been on the top of his list of priorities. But recently Nader has come under fire from groups like the Sierra Club for taking votes away from the other "environmental candidate," Vice President Al Gore. Responding to a letter sent by Nader to envi- ronmental groups across the country that sup- port Gore, Sierra Club President Carl Pope wrote, "Neither the letter nor the tactics you are increasingly adopting in your candidacy are worthy of the Ralph Nader I knew." In his letter, Pope accused Nader of handing over the election to George W. Bush, who he says is less environmentally conscious. "You have referred to the likely results of a Bush election as being a 'cold shower' for the Democratic party," Pope wrote. "You have made clear that you will consider it a victory if the net result of your campaign is a Bush presi- dency. But what will your 'cold shower' mean for real people and real places?" Debbie Sease, the national legislative direc- tor for the Sierra Club, said the group does not See EFFECT, Page 2 ALEX WULK/DG Jack's Hardware on Packard Road publicly announces their support of Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader. I. _ Internet chages face of elections By Yael Kohen Daily Staff Reporter Ii So many Websites are springing up with election information this year that it could be dubbed "Elec- tion.com." Presidential and congressional candidates, as well as various interest groups, have used this media out- let not only to further their ideas but also to raise campaign funds. Internet sites have also served as a forum for concerned voters to discuss their views in chat rooms. "It's like the early days of television," University of Pennsylvania communications Prof. W. Russell Newmansaid. The Internet will change campaigning in the 21st Century in the same way television did in 1960, when John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon, he said. While some candidates use the Internet as a sup- plemental way of reaching out to voters, others have put all of their campaign efforts into advertising on the Web. "I don't have the money to do the traditional ways of campaigning," said Scott Wojack, the Republican candidate for the 52nd state House District. "Because of the Internet I'm making more progress than I would have had I not used the Internet." Newman said in the future, candidates without Websites will be left behind. "That is probably the great potential of the Web - providing information," University of Michigan communication studies Prof. Michael Traugott said. "It's a different type of campaign," Wojack said. "It's a great thing because it will allow the working person to run for office." But just because the information is out there it doesn't mean Web users are surfing to political sites. "The irony is that relatively few voters - although half the country is online ... are going to the campaign Websites," Newman said. Spreading their political beliefs is not the only See INTERNET, Page 2 I Leadership garners Med. student magazine cover Football fever JOYCE LEE/Daily Pinball Pete's on South University Avenue requires patrons to adhere to a dress code in an attempt establish a more family-friendly atmosphere. ?rcade enforCos strict dress code By Lindsey Alpert Daily Staff Reporter Caitlin Nish ly Staff Reporter Baggy khakis or jeans can be seen in Tommy Hilfiger ads or in University classrooms, but they are not permitted in Pinball Pete's arcade on South Uni- versity Avenue. The owners of Pinball Pete's have paraphernalia. A sign on the entrance reads that no hats, no bandannas, no sleeveless shirts and no baggy or loose-fitting clothing are allowed in the arcade. "The owners have been in busi- ness for 20 years at least, and they have seen some of the arcades go out of business because of kids who Leaders are born every day, but only a select few get to see their face on the cover of a magazine. Second-year Medical stu- dent Alice Lin is one if these few. She's on the cover and the focus of the fall issue of the magazine "Student Leader" being released tomorrow. The magazine, founded in1 1993, is published three times a year and distributed to 1,200 Ln schools nationwide. The editors select a student leader for the cover of each issue. the magazine was looking for an Asian-Ameri- can woman who leads a student government or Asian organization in an upper-Midwest school. She alerted Director of Student Activities and Leadership Susan Wilson to the call for submis- sions, and Wilson nominated Lin. "I really encouraged her to apply, and then I nominated her," Wilson said. "She's really done a lot of work as an undergraduate and graduate stu- dent and for lots of organizations." After sifting through as many as 100 applica- tions, the editors at the magazine selected Lin as the issue's covergirl. "I found out in mid-August when I was in Ger- many on vacation," said Lin. "I was really excit- ed. It's kind of a cool thing, 'you're going to be on the cover of a magazine."' The magazine will surely be seen by the 120 -1 i T-.+A J A :.~ A - " - - ; 1 II- - I