4 - Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
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ANDREW GROSSMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
GARY GRACA
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
GABE NELSON
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
VOTE TODAY
Exercise your constitutional right, get a sticker
T here are an infinite number of good reasons to vote today.
It's the foundation of our democracy; it's a way for you
to have a voice; your high school civics teacher would be
proud; you get a sticker. Or maybe you're just comfortable living in
the United States and don't want to have to move to Canada if John
McCain wins. Whatever the reason, vote today. And when you're in
the voting booth, keep these things in mind.
They were Apollo 11, and we were
the Wright Brothers."
- Joe Trippi, the campaign manager for Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign, comparing Dean's use
of technology to that of Barack Obama's campaign, as reported yesterday by The New York Times.
ELAINE MORTON I NATURE CA LLS E-MAIL ELAINE AT EMORT@UMICH.EDU
Im voting f{or {4ke I'M vovoh ftor 4the 1 m vo~l jus-to
mature o4 ,ltrervsM've fl t+U re of rensew l'e. +e- ls 1MV
Cange for change's sake
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THE CANDIDATES
John McCain may not be George W. Bush,
but he is certainly not the respectable, rea-
soned politician he was a decade ago. In
Barack Obama, we have an inspirational
leader, someone who, despite his inexperi-
ence, can unify this country when we need
it the most. BARACK OBAMA should be
the next president of the United States.
With just six years of experience
ponent, REBEKAH WARREN continues
to impress after two years as the represen-
tative for the 53rd District in Michigan's
House of Representatives.
While LSA senior and Libertarian candi-
date Eric Plourde should be applauded for
his intelligent contribution to this year's
mayoral campaign, he's no mayor. That
title should still belong to Ann Arbor's
award-winning, eco-friendly incumbent
JOHN HIEFTJE.
in the Michigan House ofr
Representatives,
Jack Hoogendyk u
has neither the'
experience nor
the ideas needed
to warrant buck-
ing' Michigan's
30-year-in-
cumbent CARL'
LEVIN in the U.S. *4
Senate race.
Running on his limited
public service record, Repub- oeC,
lican Jack Lynch is putting up a Ta y
symbolic fight against Ann Arbor's minori
long-time Rep. John Dingell, but that's about factthatyourhea
it. JOHN DINGELL is still the right person ing your rent, yot
to represent the 15th Congressional District. a fair day in cour
With only the sacrifi-
cial and extreme-
ly misguided
Republican John
- Floyd standing
in his way, the
inexperienced
but well-rea-
soned CARSTEN
HOHNKE should
be elected to Ann
Arbor's Ward 5 City
Council seat.
The next time you get a
in possession or protest the
t doesn't work by withhold-
u can rest assured you'll get
t if you vote CHRIS EAST-
W e've arrived at what I hope
is the low point. After nine
games, the Michigan foot-
ball team has an
un-Michigan-like
2-7. record. It's an
unprecedented
and embarrassing
record to say least,
but perhaps it was
an avoidable one.
Admittedly, I say -
that having been ALEX
one of the boo birds,
screaming for Lloyd PRASAD
Carr's head. After -- -
the embarrassing
Appalachian State loss I even signed
a piece of plywood, an ad hoc petition
to fire Carr. It was an emotional, knee-
jerk reaction. But during the last few
years of Carr'sctenure I refusedcto admit
that it could be worse. My assumption
that the 2005 season, which included
an embarrassing loss to Minnesota at
the Big House, was the worst Michi-
gan could do was dead wrong. Now at
2-7, who among us wouldn't take a 7-5
record and a trip to the Alamo Bowl
this year?
With our new perspective, we may
even admit that Carr wasn't so bad
after all. Though he made some avoid-
able mistakes, he still kept Michigan
football in its place as one of the most
successful programs in the country.
Since my world is dominatedby poli-
tics and sports, I can't help but draw a
comparison: Carr's tenure reminds me
in a lot of ways of the current Bush
administration. Of course, the parallels
between politics and sports are tenu-
ous at best.
But hear me out. When I think of
the Bush administration, a few words
come to mind: unsatisfying, frustrat-
ing, disappointing. Those were the Virginia's spread offense was going
same words I used to describe Carr's to come to Michigan, we didn't know
years. In a way, I've been down this Rodriguez would go whole hog with
road before. Ihave plenty of issues with his system in the first year. While we
the Bush administration: its fondness know that Obama certainly has a much
for budget deficits, its failure to use more liberal economic outlook than
overwhelming force in the first year of Bush, we also aren't sure justhowmuch
the war in Iraq, its unnecessary, mas- more liberal that economic outlook
sive bailout of banks. is. To this skeptic, the murky Obama
Contrary to the alarmists, though, definition of rich ($250,000, $200,000
we aren't in a depression. We haven't or $125,000 on any given day), plus his
been attacked by terrorists in seven "spread the wealth" comment to Joe
years. And we certainly are still the the Plumber hints that radical change
most powerful nation in the world, could be coming.
both economically and militarily. In
short, just as was true with Carr's Wol-
verines, it could be worse.
In both situations an inspirational What Rich Rod and
leader stepped in, promising sweep-
ing change. For Michigan football it Barack Obama have
was Rich Rodriguez, who claimed the
only way to continue the tradition of in common.
winning was to ditch the preceding
system. Three yards and a cloud of dust
was yesterday's paradigm, and, there-
fore, it can't work today. Sweeping and Perhaps radical change is neces-
fundamental change is necessary to sary, but that is rarely the case. If the
move Michigan from four to zero loss- current mindset is producing a consis-
es a year, Rodriguez said. Though the tently winning (if admittedly under-
jury is still out on Rodriguez's tenure, achieving) program, why re-invent
it doesn't look like fundamental and the wheel? Tweak it. Four years from
sweeping change was prudent. now, we will have a similar vantage
Into an America that is similarly point on the next presidency as we
craving change steps Barack Obama. currently have on the Rodriguez ten-
He claims that the only way the United ure. I just hope we don't end up in the
States can stay in its unique position as same boat twice.
the leader of the free world is to radi- It's my hope that when voters go
cally change. The well-thought-out to the polls today, they don't vote for
Obama paradigm? Bush equals bad. change thatthey can believe in but vote
Therefore, the road to a more pros- for change theythink will be beneficial
perous nation is to repudiate the Bush for this great nation. If everyone does
administration's policies, foreign and that, no matter who is elected tonight,
domestic. America will be just fine.
But in both scenarios, the specif-
ics of those changes aren't very clear. Alex Prasad can be reached
While we knew something like West at atprasad@umich.edu.
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6
In one of Michigan's closest and most sym-
bolic races, Tim Walberg - the archetypal
right-wing social conservative - should be
defeated by moderate Democrat MARK
SCHAUER to represent the 7th Congres-
sional District.
Though four major-party candidates are
running, only LAURENCE DEITCH and
DENISE ILITCH have the experience and
vision necessary to serve on the University
of Michigan Board of Regents.
Main sponsor of the Great Lakes Compact,
advocate for students and civil rights pro-
HOPE for 15th District Court judge.
THE ISSUES
Vote YES on PROPOSAL 1 to allow ter-
minally ill and severely injured people to
have one more option to ease their pain:
marijuana.
Opponents' are lying when they say that
the ballot initiative will open the door for
human cloning, increase your taxes and
allow unrestricted science. Voting YES on
PROPOSAL 2 will use otherwise-discard-
ed embryos to save lives and bring much-
needed research to Michigan.
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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, Imran Syed,
Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Margaret Young
ISSUES 2008
ON THE CANDIDATES
COLLEGE DEMOCRATSVI
Obama: unifying America
COLLEGE REPUBLICANS I
McCain
: expei
Over the past eight yearg our nation has been
misgoverned and abused by George W. Bush. His
administration's policies have crippled our financial
markets, left families to die in New Orleans, destroyed
our nation's image at home and abroad, shrouded our
government in secrecy and started an unjustified war
while ignoring the real war against terrorism.
It is at a crucial point in our nation's history thatwe
go to polls to elect the next president.
Today we have a chance to bring change to America.
By electing Barack Obama, we are voting to empower
America to restore itself. With the largest campaign in
U.S. history, Obama has proven that he can bridge racial,
religious, age and partisan'lines. His support comes not
only fromliberalDemocrats but also fromworking-class
America, white America, blackAmerica, faithfulAmeri-
ca, rural America and urban America. In these difficult
times, we need a leader who can bridge these divisions
in our society to make hard choices for America.
On policy, Obama has consistently argued for a
reasoned, intelligent agenda that restores hope in the
American dream. Our economy is in shambles, and
Obama understands the pain of the average American
family. By cutting taxes and expanding health care,
his policies are designed to lift up Main Street Ameri-
ca, ensuring thatour governmentis here to protect the
people. The economic policies of the past eight years
were fixated on cutting taxes and regulation for our
society's mostwealthy. The American people deserve
better from their government.
Obama understands that our national security is
intrinsically linked to our standing in the world. We
have squandered our international good will, leav-
ing our nation unprotected. Our military adventure
into Iraq has depleted our armed forces and created a
wave of anti-American sentiment unrivaled in history.
Meanwhile, we have ignored true security threats in
Afghanistan and Pakistan. Obama advocates a foreign
policy that promotes both international dialogue and
American power to work with our global neighbors
instead of againstthem.
We need a president who represents the best
of America, not the worst of America. A president
who promises to continue the policies of the past
eight years will continue to hurt our global image.
Obama's message of hope has transcended national
boundaries.
John McCain had a
chance to challenge Obama
on the issues that matter
to Americans. Instead, T is partf
McCain's campaign took isp
the lowroad.While Obama series by Colle
was addressing the econo-
my, McCain focused his Republicar
entire campaign on char-,
acter assassination and, important iss
in the process, has assas-
sinated his own character. Elect
McCain is not the states-
man we respected eight
years ago. He assumed
the worst of the American
people. Nowis the time to move past the tactics of fear
that have plagued our national discussion for the past
eight years. It is time to elect Barack Obama.
Obama built his campaign with the support of
college students. Today is our day to have our voice
heard and send him to the White House. Today you
can prove that we have the ability to create change
and make our choice known. By speaking together in
one voice we can correct the mistakes of the last eight
years, bring change and hope back to our government
and change the course of history. Our moment is now
- vote for Barack Obama.
This viewpoint was written on behalf of the
University's chapter of the College Derocrats.
ive in
ge D
ns tha
sues 1:
tion 1
America is at an historic crossroad today. Our
country faces daunting challenges on multiple
fronts. We must decide today which path we want to
take to face these challenges. On one hand, we have
a risky path that leads to the unknown. On the other,
we have the safe path of experience. Taking unnec-
essary risks caused many of our current problems, so
we must ask, "Do we really
want to take more risks?"
In challenging times like
these, the path we need
to follow should be that of
n a five-part experience. Thus, the Col-
emocrats and lege Republicans urge you
to vote for the experienced
at looks at candidate, John McCain.
McCain has shown
eading up to that he knows how to find
solutions to tough prob-
Day. lems. During his 26 years
in Congress, McCain has
established a record of leg-
islative accomplishments
that have benefited our
country. He has been a leader in tacklingtough issues
and working with both parties to find effective solu-
tions. Unlike Barack Obama, who is at the extreme
of his party, McCain isn't tied to ideology. McCain is
a pragmatist, and it is this pragmatism and willing-
ness to compromise and reach across the aisle that
we need inour next leader.As a member of Congress,
McCain has shown that he has these skills. We have
no reason to believe that as president McCain would,
act any different.
Looking deeper into McCain's record will show
that he's a proven reformer. He has reformed cam-
paign finance and ethics in government, and he has
been a leader in proposing reforms to our immigra-
tion policy. For many of the challenges that we face
rience to trust
today, radical change is neither necessary, nor is it
safe. All we need right now are reforms, and McCain
has shown that he knows how to reform broken sys-
tems to make them work better.
We can trust that as president McCain will work
to reform the economic system to get us out of this
crisis; he will reform the health care system to make
it more affordable and accessible; and he will reform
the ways we use energy to make us more energy
independent and clean. McCain's reformist nature
will lead to real, workable solutions.
"Country First" has been a theme of McCain's
campaign, and he has lived the message throughout
his life. McCain has always put the best interests of
America first, above partisanship and personal gain.
He has been a leader in compromising and working
with both parties to create workable solutions for
our country's problems, so we know he will continue
to do the same. He has experience fixing broken sys-
tems, so we know he can reform the systems that got
us into trouble. And he has fought for our country to
preserve its honor, so we know he will fight to restore
America's standing abroad.
America continues to be a great nation, and our
best days are still ahead of us. No doubt we're in a
rough time right now, but in McCain we have the
experience and leadership necessary to break us out
of these tough times and restore prosperity. This isn't
voting for "more of the same"; this isvoting for a safe,
new direction that will continue America's hope and
promise. America needs experienced leadership to
create real change, and in McCain we have that. We
don't need to take risks with inexperience that could 4
make our troubles worse.
To continue and improve America's greatness, we
urge you to vote for John McCain.
This viewpoint was written on behalf of the
University's chapter oftthe College Republicans.