4 - Tuesday, November 4, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 4J11E 1hi4an4)aU~j I Edited and managed by students at the University of.Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu 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 0 6 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. 0 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. 6 I 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.