4 - Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com ci
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4e IictIVig n ily
Edited and managed by students at
the University ofMichigan since 1890.
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ANDREW GROSSMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
GARY GRACA
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
GABE NELSON
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position oftthe Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations representsolely the views of their authors.
FROA THE DAILY
Six more years o eVin
Michigan's interests best served by incumbent
Michigan voters have an easy
choice in this year's U.S. Sen-
ate race. They can go with the
incumbent candidate who already has 30
years of experience dutifully and ethically
representing them. Or they can go with the
challenger who has just six years of experi-
ence in the Michigan House of Representa-
tives and is content running on a platform
of catchy conservative planks like low taxes
and family values.
The 30-year incumbent is, of course, Ben-
jamin Franklin-look-alike Sen. Carl Levin.
First elected to the U.S. Senate in1978, Levin
is one of the country's most powerful sena-
tors, and one who hasn't been corrupted by
the power like many of his colleagues. His
clout has helped bring more federal money
- 94 cents to every dollar of tax money, to
be exact - back to Michigan, which desper-
ately needs any help it can get. His support
has been integral to bringing grant money
to the University of Michigan, too.
Power isn't the only reason to re-elect
Levin, though. As chairman of the Senate's
Armed Services Committee, Levin is wide-
ly recognized as one of the country's most
knowledgeable minds on the war in Iraq
- something either presidential candidate
will need if elected. He was also one of the
war's earliest opponents and the master-
mind behind many of our efforts to get out
since, including the timetables that Presi-
dent George Bush first disregarded and has
since come around to support (in principle).
Levin'sRepublican challenger, state Rep.
Jack Hoogendyk has given voters little
reason to throw off their long-time sena-
tor. He has run a traditionally conservative
campaign, promising to make the Bush tax
cuts permanent, reinforce family values
and oppose all spending earmarks. This
narrow ideological rigidity was on display
recently when Hoogendyk opposed the
Wall Street bailout because, he believed, it
wasn't the government's responsibility to
get involved.
The best argument Hoogendyk has been
able to level against Levin is that because
he has served so long, he is a corrupt part of
the Washington establishment. But there is
no evidence to suggest that Levin has ever
done anything but serve Michigan's. best
interests.
Carl Levin has been a stand-up senator
for the state of Michigan for 30 years. He
deserves the opportunity to serve our state
for six more. Voters would be crazy not to
re-elect Democrat CARL LEVIN for Unit-
ed States Senator from Michigan.
We are number 48 in everything and Arkansas
and Mississippi aren't going anywhere."
- Former NBA star Charles Barkley, announcing his intention to run for governor
of Alabama in 2014 in an interview with CNN yesterday.
ELAINE MORTON 7AT CALLS E-MAIL ELAINE AT EMORT@UMICH.EDU
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Bush on the big screen
W hen Oliver Stone - the politics' most controversial figures. liberal ones, have latched onto him
self-appointed liberal his- Now, Bush joins the ranks of Nixon as a great subject for their books, and
torian of contemporary as another fallen conservative idol probably does a great deal in explain-
America - first dissected and dramatized by a liberal ing why Stone approached Bush in
announced he author. the manner he did. Like Nixon, Bush
was making a film It's true what many critics have is relatable.
about George W. said about "W.": Its portrayal of Bush But this still leaves the question,
Bush, I'm sure con- is a sympathetic one. That said, it's "Why?" Why bother at all, especially
servatives every- not a positive one. In the film, Bush, if Bush is still in office and so many
where put their as portrayed by Josh Brolin, is dumb, people are bound to be furious at this
faces in their hands _ dumb, dumb. But he's likeable. Cer- portrayal of him as a misunderstood
and groaned. Even tainly, he's not the villain of the film. nitwit?
now I'm sure most So where did this come from? For The answer, at least as far as I
haven't bothered BRANDON the past fewyears, Bush's depiction in can tell, is that Bush is no longer a
to see "W.," which CONRADIS the media has steadily mutated from threat. In a couple months Bush will
was released in a dimwitted wannabe-cowboy into a be out of office, and a Democrat will
theaters more than maniacal ideologue. Suddenly, Stone, probably have replaced him. There's
a week ago and has more or less failed a leading leftist ideologue in his
at the box office among a flurry of own right, has come out with a film
perplexed, astonished and outright that portrays Bush as a beleaguered
angry reviews. everyman, burdened by the constant Hov W . became
None of this surprises me. Con- dissatisfaction of his father, his alco-
servatives have enough to be miser- holism and his career failings. This is the unw itting
able about as the likelihood of having the man much of the public has made
another conservative, president in out to be "the bad guy"?
office slides further and further What Stone has done with Bush
away. Meanwhile, any film that tack- is what Perlstein and other liberal
les a subject as controversial as Bush authors throughout the years have
is bound to generate ire and admira- done with Nixon: He has crafted no longer any reason to demonize
tion from critics in equal measure. Bush into a tragic figure. the man: Even in the eyes of Stone,
In fact, "W." is a pretty frivolous In an essay published in The New apparently, he has suffered enough.
film, one that shouldn't upset any- Republic called "The Movement's Like Nixon, Bush will go from being
body. If anything, it follows the same Remains," Sam Tanenhaus addressed Public Enemy No. 1 to a key subject
pattern many contemporary political the recent trend of liberal scholars for all kinds of psychological litera-
histories have taken for the past cou- writing about the history of conser- ture, plays and films.
ple of decades, and will probably set vatism, which he described as "rich And, with "W.," Oliver Stone has
the tone for the way in which Bush in rebellious appetites, inunexpected put himself at the forefront of this
will be viewed by the public in the victories, in stimulating characters." movement. It's hard to say whether
years to come. His examples included "What's the or not it will really be influential -
Take the liberal fascination with Matter with Kansas?" author Thom- again, the film hasn't made a huge
Richard Nixon, for example. Rick as Frank and Perlstein. impact at the box office. But it's sure-
Perlstein's "Nixonland," an excellent Tanenhaus made one interest- ly a precursor to what we'll see in the
literary account of the Nixon years, ing point about Nixon, claiming the future when it comes to the way the
and Stone's earlier film on the subject, man was, out of all the contemporary media views our current president.
"Nixon," are both examples of liber- American presidents, "most like us, in
als attempting to explore the compli- his doubts and insecurities." This is Brandon Conradis can be
cated psyche of one of contemporary the reason why so many writers, even reached at brconrad@umich.edu.
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Send letters to tothedaily@umich.edu.
AMERICAN MOVEMENT FOR ISRAEL IVIEWPINT
Understanding the Iranian threat
0
0
Vote Schauer
7th District race is an example of important nat'l fight
In the race to represent Michigan's
7th Congressional district in the U.S.
House of Representatives, Republi-
can incumbent Tim Walberg is experienc-
ing stiff competition from his Democratic
opponent Mark Schauer. Starting with his
victory in the 2Q06 Republican prima-
ry against a highly regarded incumbent
and continuing with his offensive com-
ments about state issues, Walberg has only
strengthened the case against his own re-
election. Luckily, Schauer provides voters
with a strong alternative.
Backed by shameless pro-life and anti-
tax political action committees that ran a
vicious campaign from the shadows, Wal-
berg beat his more experienced, moderate
primary opponent Rep. Joe. Schwarz in
2006. Considering that prominent Repub-
licans like Sen. John McCain endorsed
Schwarz, Walberg's upset was indicative
of what the Republican Party has quietly
become in recent years: far, far right, and
preoccupied with social conservatism.
Though it's hard to distinguish whether
the bitter aftertaste of his campaign is to
blame, Walberg's influence in the House
has been limited. Michigan leaders have
repeatedly criticized his comments on
state affairs, questioning his knowledge
of pertinent issues. In one instance, Wal-
berg irked former Detroit mayor Kwame
Kilpatrick by likening the situation in Iraq
to Detroit. In another, Walberg took credit
for the construction of a new runway at
the Battle Creek airport - which he had
voted against.
Walberg's tasteless conservative pander-
ing has only intensified in his campaign for
re-election. A recent advertisement from
his campaign preposterously compares
Schauer with controversial filmmaker
Michael Moore, while others misrepre-
sent Schauer's stance on illegal immigra-
tion and protecting jobs. Considering that
Walberg's favorability rating fell to 42
percent in May and many of his Republi-
can colleagues are rushing to endorse his
opponent, the level of desperation appar-
ent in his increasingly absurd attack ads
isn't surprising.
As the state Senate Minority Leader and
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's "go-to guy" on
budgetissues, Schauer is a strong candidate.
His policies on education and the economy
- albeit a little vague - demonstrate a rec-
ognition of important issues that Walberg
has lacked. Schauer's extensive community
involvement and state government experi-
ence have offered him an unmatched grasp
on the issues, bolstering his capacity to
effectively represent the district.
Though the Daily doesn't typically
endorse in races outside of Ann Arbor,
this race is worthy of an exception. It is
one of the most closely watched races in
the state. The 7th Congressional district
includes part of Washtenaw County. And
most importantly, the ideological conflict
between Walberg and Schauer typifies
many conflicts occurring in congressional
campaigns across the country. That is a
battle the far right should lose. The Daily,
therefore, endorses MARK SCHAUER
for U.S. Representative from Michigan's
7th Congressional district.
I
Definitely Dingell
After more than 50 years, incumbent still the right choice
I n Michigan's 15th Congressional dis-
trict, a district that includes all of Ann
Arbor, the choice is between a seasoned
statesman and an underwhelming chal-
lenger. As the second longest-serving U.S.
representative in history, John Dingell has
a proven track record of public service and
leadership - a record that his Republican
opponent Jack Lynch can hardly begin to
challenge.
Realistically, state Republicans can't
expect to be able to knock Dingell out of his
seat. Lynch's political experience is largely
limited to his membership on the Washt-
enaw County Republican Executive Com-
mittee. According to his website, most of
his career has involved "making people and
companies more productive through com-
puter technology," which is fine, but hardly
an adequate qualification for a member of
Congress. By squaring off against the solid,
respected incumbent, he's simply in way
over his head.
It's not that Lynch doesn't have his own
merits - his credentials just aren't as
impressive as Dingell's. Lynch calls for "a
new vision and a new voice," but frankly,
there's nothing wrong with the old one. It's
no coincidence that Dingell has served in
the House of Representatives for more than
50 years. He's done a terrific job as chairman
of the House Energy and Commerce Com-
mittee, and has become a leader in the fight
for environmental conservation and against
climate change. And while he's a fairly lib-
eral Democrat, he has some conservative
leanings (most notably, his opposition to
gun control) that make him a more attrac-
tive option with conservative constituents.
Despite more than five decades of expe-
rience, Dingell doesn't appear to be slow-
ing down one bit. He has continued to
work on legislation to protect our national
resources, institute a universal health care
program and improve federal financial aid
programs like Pell Grants. And as one of
the most powerful and respected repre-
sentatives in the house, Dingell uses his
high regard to benefit his constituents back
home in Michigan.
That said, voters should still demand
results from Dingell. Because of his com-
mittee companionship, he is ina prime posi-
tion to prod Detroit automakers into doing
what they should have done a decade ago:
lead the world in fuel efficiency. But he can
do it in a way that protects Michigan work-
ers. Dingell can also take charge on higher
education affordability, making sure that
federal grants are emphasized over loans
and that private lenders provide fair inter-
est rates to students.
If re-elected, Dingell would become the
longest-serving U.S. representative in his-
tory. Throughout the years, he has devoted
himself to serving the people of his district
and Michigan as a whole. With that com-
mitment in mind, the Daily endorses JOHN
DINGELL for U.S. representative from.
Michigan's 15th Congressional district.
"With God's help the countdown button for the destruction
of the Zionist regime has been pushed ... by God'swill, we will
witness the destruction of this regime in the near future."
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Words like these on the topic of the destruction of Israel
exemplify the dire threat that Iran poses to peace in the
Middle East and to international security. Through its
pursuit of nuclear weapons and its funding and training
of terrorist organizations, Iran has jeopardized what little
political stability exists in the Middle East. As concluded
by the U.S. State Department in April, Iran is the world's
most prominent state sponsor of terrorism. Moreover, Iran
not only supports terrorist organizations like Hamas and
Hezbollah, but also directly funds militants who attack
U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the United
States presidential election only a few days away and Iran
reportedly months away from acquiring nuclear weapons,
it is imperative that we understand each candidate's plans
to keep our citizens and allies secure.
Both candidates agree that a nuclear-armed Iran is not
an option. John McCain has plans to levy "severe sanctions
on Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons tech-
nology." Although McCain believes that all diplomatic and
economic measures must first be exhausted, he does sup-
port military action as a last resort because "there's only
one thing worse than military action against Iran and that
is a nuclear-armed Iran."
This strategy could prove to be advantageous because
the threat of military force would strengthen the economic
sanctions already in place and could push Iran's leadership
to dismantle the country's nuclear program. McCain's plans
also raise significant concerns, consideringthat we already
have our armed forces stretched thin in two countries and
aren't completely sure what Iran's military capabilities are.
Although Barack Obama shares the same concern over
the Iranian nuclear threat, he believes that we are far from
"exhausting our non-military options in confronting this
threat." Obama promotes "tough, direct presidential diplo-
macy" to pressure Iran to dismantle its nuclear program,
offering positive incentives for Iran's compliance like
membership in the World Trade Organization and diplo-
matic threats of increased economic sanctions and politi-
cal isolation if Iran maintains its current course.
Obama's strategy of reaching out to Iran could lead
to a positive response from Iran's leadership, making it
clear that they would have much to gain by ending their
pursuit of nuclear arms. His strategy could also back-
fire as direct presidential negotiations with Iran could
legitimize a regime that has issued many threats against
the United States and the West and fail to produce any
concessions.
If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, the lives of our
troops abroad as well as citizens of our closest allies would
be in grave danger. The balance of power would signifi-
cantly change and a nuclear arms race could develop among
Iran's neighbors. The vast resources from oil production
in the region would be used to develop nuclear weapons,
further destabilizing an already volatile region. We must
act to eliminate these dangerous possibilities before they
become reality.
To learn more about the Iranian nuclear threat and
the candidates' policies on Iran, please come to Dr. Pat-
rick Clawson's keynote lecture titled "Will Iran Be The
Next Iraq: What Will the Next President Do, and Will It
Work?" The event will take place tomorrow at 7 p.m. in
Angell Hall Aud. D.
Mindy Welford and Stephanie Berman are
members of the American Movement for Israel. Dan
Neumann and Daniel Maughan are Executive Board
members of the American Movement for Israel.
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EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Emad Ansari, Elise Baun, Harun Buljina, Ben Caleca, Satyajeet Deshmukh,
Brian Flaherty, Matthew Green, Emmarie Huetteman, Emma Jeszke, Shannon Kellman,
Edward McPhee, Emily Michels, Kate Peabody, Matthew Shutler, Robert Soave, Eileen Stahl,
Jennifer Sussex, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Margaret Young