The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Friday, March 14, 2008 - 3 NEWS BRIEFS TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida voters pitch mail-in election Florida Democrats yesterday proposed a vote-by-mail presiden- tial primary to solve the high-stakes delegate dispute while acknowledg- ing the plan's chances are slim. Democrats in Florida and Michi- gan have been struggling to come up with an alternative to ensure their delegates are seated at the national convention this summer after the party punished them for holding early primaries. The pressure to resolve the issue has increased amid the protracted fight for every delegate between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, offered a mail-in/in person pro- posal for voting and urged state leaders, the national party and the presidential candidates to sign on. Under the plan, all of Florida's 4.1 million Democrats would be mailed a ballot. They could send it back, or cast a ballot in one of 50 regional voting centers that would be set up. The election would end June 3, a week before a Democratic National Committee deadline to name delegates. DURHAM, NC. Two men charged in student's death Authorities have charged a sus- pect in the slaying of the University ofNorthCarolina student president with the January killing of a Duke University graduate student. Awarrantfiledyesterdaycharges 17-year-old Lawrence Alvin Lovette Jr. with first-degree murder in the death of Abhijit Mahato. The 29-year-old computational mechanics doctoral student was found shot to death inside his apart- ment in January. Authorities have charged both Lovette and Demario James Atwa- ter with first-degree murder in the death of Eve Carson. The 22-year- old was found last week lying on a street about a mile from campus. BAGHDAD Body of missing Archbishop found The body of a Chaldean Catholic archbishop was found in a shallow graveinnorthernIraqonyesterday, two weeks after he was kidnapped by gunmen in one of the most dra- matic attacks against the country's small Christian community. The sad discovery of Arch- bishop Paulos Faraj Rahho's body came on a day that saw more vio- lence elsewhere in Iraq. A parked car bomb exploded in a commer- cial district of central Baghdad, killing 18 people and wounding dozens more, police said. Gunmen also killed five members of an anti- al-Qaida group near Tikrit, and a correspondent for a newspaper in Baghdad. ALBANY, N.Y. In scandal's wake, Paterson prepares to step in as Gov. New York Lt. Gov. David Pat- erson says it's time for the state to get back on track after Gov. Eliot Spitzer's stunning resignation be- cause of a prostitution scandal. The Harlem Democrat takes over Monday, becoming the state's first black chief executive and the first legally blind governor in the country. He told reporters and others in Albany yesterday that he didn't become governor like most politi- cians do, but he plans to honor the promise he made when he became Spitzer's running mate in 2006. -Compiled from Daily wire reports 3,987 Number of American service mem- bers who have died in the war in Iraq, according to The Associated Press. The U.S. Military identified the following deaths yesterday: Army Cpl. Jose A. Paniagua- Morales, 22, Bell Gardens, Calif.; Army Sgt. Phillip R. Anderson, 28, Everett, Wash. Army Spc.Donald A. Burkett, 24, Comanche, Texas. Army Capt. Torre R. Mallard, 27, Oklahoma. DANCE MARATHON From Page 1 changed by it that he's now inspired to change other kids' lives, too." Mill Creek held its Dance Mara- thon last week. It was the school's third and biggest yet. Colin has been involved in the committee of eight students for each of the last two years, adjusting to his leadership role along the way. "They were all workingtogether, but Colin was definitely very spirit- ed about the event," Berryman said. "He feels a sense of ownership." The committee brainstormed the theme, food and logistics of the' event, which lasted three hours and included snacks, prizes, a DJ and a frozen lemonade machine. Mill Creek students raised a minimum of $25 each by reaching out to their families and friends. Colin surpassed that amount with ease, becoming the school's highest fundraiser with $380. "Nobody got donations like Colin," Berryman said. "He said, 'I just don't take no for an answer."' Colin said his committee never thought it would run out of the 150 T-shirts it ordered. But more than 175 kids showed up, raising a total of $7,245. "I was like totally shocked - I couldn't believe it," he said. "I could have cried, but I didn't." Dawn Northrup, Colin's mom, said Colin's involvement organizing the event was almost as beneficial to him as the University's Dance Marathon was. "It's just as important for him to learn how to help other people and give back to others," she said. "It's kind of come full circle." She added that Colin's experi- ences with the University's Dance Marathon helped boost his morale and confidence. "I think it changed the way his peers saw him, and as a result it changed the way he saw himself," she said. A soon-to-be freshman at Dexter High School, Colin said he has no interest in leaving Dance Marathon behind him. He said he's excited about the possibility to "drum one up or cook one up somehow." "I think within a couple years there might be enough support to put on one like I've done," he said. Berryman said Colin has devel- oped a sense of leadership. "People think when they see akid in a wheelchair that he's disabled," she said. "Colin's anything but dis- abled. He's one of the most able kids in that class to be a leader." DEMOCRATS From Page 1 bers of the group over the summer. He said he hopes to draft a plan that would assign students to chair different committees and schedule activities for every day from the beginning of fall term to Election Day in November. To help a Democrat get elected, Styer said he plans to hold tailgates before football games and hold ral- lies on the Diag where members of the College Democrats will pass out literature on candidates, give away stickers and register voters. The group also plans to canvass with "district invasions," where members of the College Democrats will travel to other voting districts in the state. Styer said some mem- bers might travel to Ohio if the Democratic campaign needs them there. "We're going to.go full steam for whoever it is," Styer said. While John McCain secured the Republican nomination on March 4, Barack Obama and Hillary Clin- ton have been locked in a dead heat in the Democratic race since then. So far the University's chapters of Students for Obama and Stu- dents for Hillary have campaigned REPUBLICANS From Page 1 firm and thoughtful voice for the Republican Party on campus," Smith said. One of his sparring partners, LSA sophomore Tom Duvall, chair of the University's chapter of Stu- dents for Obama and a high school friend of Smith's, said Smith will make that happen. "He'll make sure it's a positive campaign," Duvall said. "Know- ingBrady, he'll really helptobring respect to this campaign season and the discourse will be elevated on this campus." With a laugh, Duvall added, "I definitely respect him asa worthy opponent." Despite what he called "a bit of an ugly primary fight" with a "few black eyes" between John McCain and Mitt Romney, Smith said he thought students who sup- ported Romney or one of the other candidates vying for the Republi- can nomination will rally around McCain for the presidential elec- tion this November. hard against each other. When asked which candidate he Styer said he's confident that the supported, Styer said he supported "friendly tension between the two Obama because "Obama has a set of groups," would diminish, allow- policiesandanagendathatwillgive ing the groups to come together by us the most change in our nation." November. Styer was quick to mention that he LSA sophomore Tom Duvall, would support either of the Demo- chair of University's Students for cratic candidates "100 percent" Obama group, agrees. in the general election, though. "The people who are involved Double majoring in political sci- with 'Students for' groups are also ence and philosophy, Styer said he involved with College Dems, so at mighttrytransferring into the Ger- our hearts we're all Democrats," ald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Duvall said. He intends to study law or work for One reason for Styer's relaxed political campaigns in the future. attitude might be that he already Styer beat out two challengers, has experience uniting Obama and LSA junior Sarah Duffy and LSA Clinton supporters. His mother is junior Salim Alchurbaji, to win the a staunch Clinton supporter, while position. Both opponents said they his father backs Obama. were confident Styer will manage Styer said he's a Democrat the organization well. because of his mother, a University "Nathaniel's a great guy. He's alum. His mother, he said, encour- more than competent," Alchurbaji aged him to "get out of conserva- said. tive Holland, Michigan" where he Styer's predecessor, LSA senior grew up. Sam Harper, said he believes Sty- Styer described her as a "pretty er's managerial skills and experi- big feminist" and more outspoken ence as co-chair of the Student than his father. Issues Committee will benefit him The family often discusses as he oversees future events. politics, but things get interesting "I'm very confident that with though, when they start talking the election, there willbe a surge of about specific candidates, he said. people wanting to get involved, and "My mom is avery strong person he'll be able to capitalize on that and she wins those debates all the and get people engaged on cam- time," Styer said. pus," Harper said. "I think that John McCain has ble and are better for the health, gotten a bit of a bad rep, but when growth and sustainability of the you look at a comparison of ideas, nation." it'll be very easy to unite the party Smith criticized the univer- on campus," he said. "The man is sal health care plans suggested very principled, and the man rep- by Democratic candidates Hill- resents Republican values." ary Clinton and Barack Obama, In addition to holding events on which he said were too intrusive campus to distribute information into people's lives. to students, Smith said the group Smith beat out two challengers plans to canvass and make phone - College of Engineering sopho- calls for McCain in the fall. Smith more Ashley Schneider and Ross said he also hopes to bring promi- School of Business junior Anton nent Republicans to campus more Vuljaj - in the first round of vot- often. ing to win his new position. Vul- Next week, the group will host jaj recently resigned from his long-time Republican National position as a Michigan Student Committee member Chuck Yob. Assembly representative after Although he originally sup- pleading guilty to felony charges ported former Arkansas Gov. related to an incident where he Mike Huckabee during the pri- crashed an opposing party's web- mary race, Smith called McCain -site as a freshman. "the right nominee" and a "mav- Smith, a history major from erick." Smith said he supported Midland, Mich., said he first Huckabee because of his views on became interested in politics in health care and the environment. middle school during the 2000 "It's a shame that the left has presidential race between Al Gore kind of a monopoly on these two and George W. Bush. issues of health care and the envi- "History is the past, but what's ronment," Smith said. "Especially cooler than shaping the country's when the Republican ideas on future?" he said. "That's why I got these issues are more responsi- interested in politics." Michigan Dems, candidates negotiate do-over primary Any agreement would require approval from DNC, Granholm LANSING (AP) - Michigan Democrats are close to an agree- ment with presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to hold a do-over primary. Party officials and the cam- paigns negotiated on Thursday, and state Democratic leaders were hopeful that an agreement could be reached on Friday, said Democratic officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitiv- ity of the talks. To go forward, any plan would require the approval of the two campaigns, the Democratic National Committee, state party leaders and Gov. Jennifer Gran- holm, who is backing Clinton. Michigan Democrats need to act quickly because the politically divided legislature will have to sign off on the deal and approve how to spend the privately raised funds for a new election. Members of the Democratic-controlled state House and Republican-controlled state Senate leave atthe end of the month on their two-week spring break. The contest mustbe held by June 10 for the results to count under DNC rules. Michigan currently has an election set.for May 6 for voters to decide on education issues. The date of that contest could be changed to accom- modate a new presidential pri- mary. The Clinton campaign made it clear that it strongly prefers a state-run primary to mail- in voting during the meeting, according to a campaign offi- cial speaking anonymously about the private talks. People involved in the private meeting said the Clinton advisers favor the state-run primary because there would be less likelihood of problems such as fraud and ballot counting than with a mail-in vote. The national party punished Michigan and Florida for mov- ing up their primaries before Feb. 5, stripping them of all their delegates. The two states have been struggling to come up with alternative plans to ensure their delegates are seated at the national convention this sum- mer in Denver. Michigan held its primary Jan. 15 and Florida voted Jan. 29. Clinton won both, although she was the only major candidate on the Michigan ballot. On Thursday, Florida Democrats proposed a vote-by-mail presiden- tial primary while acknowledging the plan's chances are slim. Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, offered a mail-in/in person pro- posal for voting and urged state leaders, the national party and the presidential candidates to sign on. Under the plan, all of Florida's 4.1 million Democrats would be mailed a ballot. They could send it back, or cast a ballot in one of 50 regional voting centers that would be set up. The election would end June 3, a week before a Democratic National Committee deadline to name del- egates. The estimated cost is $10 million to $12 million. Asked if the plan will be imple- mented, Thurman said, "I have a feeling that this is probably closer to not, than yes." Members of Florida's congres- sional delegation reiterated their opposition to the plan, saying, "We do not believe that this is a realis- tic option at this time and remain opposed to a mail-in ballot elec- tion or any new primary election in Florida of any kind." JOIN THE MICHIGAN DAI LY E-mail herring@michigandaily.com RANDOLPH COURT APARTMENTS I & 2 Bedroom Apartment Homes ~ Ground Floor Ranch Style! Private Entrance! Patio! Spacious Kitchen! Air Conditioning! M I .aundry Facilities! SD24-Hour Emergency Maintenance! DOOSOEPets Welcome! And much, much more! I wCall today to reserve your new address! FREE Grcci Ells and ~amV*734-971-2828 Cre Jel ll-O Shots Equal Housing Opportunity and Buffalo owls. Be Careful! The baggage we carry may reveal more StrtngFaM thabout ourselves than we care to share. POSTCARD from LE SUPPLIES LASt. You Have To Be Here'. M. STATE STREETOC ANN ARBOR - 734-997-C143 - www.buffolowidwings.com M OR OCCO Freshmen and Sophomores, are you looking for a summer internship? Would you like to take a step towards bolstering your resume? Do you wan to work with the coolest people on campus? all :f J E44 POSITONS SPR N G AL A 14-tTE R M DEADLINE MARCH 19TH i gt aj The Michigan Daily Business Staff Department en iThe C A nis a student run group that sells all the ads in the Daily. snes sanA We are looking for dedicated and motivated people Exscutive to continue the legacy that has Ex d-b e oerbeen going on for over 118 years. \Nork si pb-lde er tudents to se le newspap Simply send e-mail to dailydisplay@gmai.com, we alknow andl ye . call (734) 764-0554, or stop in at the Daily building (420 Maynard) to pick up an application! DON'T MISS OUT ON TRADITION! Opera by Dominick Argento Text by John Donahue 11 .1 ' t 4