By Jordan Morris
Staff Writer
The general consensus of Pepperdine University students about the upcoming gubernatorial race should not be surprising. For example, the number of elected officers of the College Republicans is nearly equal to the entire active membership of Young Democrats.
But despite the conservative majority on campus, the Young Democrats exhibit a higher spirit of activism than in recent years with new leadership under senior Jessica Grounds. In the upcoming election, they strongly support the campaign of Gov. Gray Davis.
“Gov. Davis represents the core values that we are for,” said Grounds, citing the Young Democrats’ Mission Statement, which includes a pro-choice stance on abortion, protection for the environment and stricter gun laws.
The campaign, however, has moved beyond a debate of core values.
Davis and his Republican opponent Bill Simon have endured months of mudslinging, and as a result, have made headlines across the country.
Political science professor Dr. Stanley Moore said that despite the fact that the campaign has not been excellent, the candidate of choice is clear.
“The ideal Democratic candidate would be more liberal than Davis … but as if he were in a boat, he paddles to the left a bit, and then to the right,” Moore said. “Simon’s campaign has been directed toward 35 percent of the California electorate that shares his far-right views. For that, he will go down in a blazing defeat.”
The campaign between the two candidates has been grounded in several broad issues that have dominated the candidates’ respective platforms and advertisements in the media.
CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING
With more than $100 million spent on their collective campaigns, the race has been one of the most publicized in the country.
Young Democrats Vice President Dusty Farned expressed overwhelming confidence in Davis’ campaign.
“(Davis) is greatly ahead in the polls,” he said. “Another reason he will win … is that he has raised more money than he knows what to do with.”
Davis’ record-setting fundraising is the most talked about issue of the campaign. Davis began fundraising only months after entering office in 1998, accumulating well over $60 million, more than any governor ever.
In the Oct. 7 debate between Davis and Simon sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, Davis refuted the suspicion raised by Simon that he would continue raising “enormous amounts” of money if re-elected.
During the same debate, Simon accused Davis of accepting donations illegally inside government buildings.
“I have acted within the law,” Davis replied, claiming that all contributions were received within private establishments.
Simon’s statement was later proven false and Simon apologized days later.
Although Davis has spent a considerably larger amount of money on the election than his opponent, several members of Young Democrats, including junior Andrew Hoag, were skeptical of Simon’s capabilities.
Hoag justified Davis’ large accumulation of funds by citing Simon’s “multi-millionaire” economic status.
“No one knows when (Simon) can just cut a check,” he said.
THE ENERGY CRISIS
Many California voters continue to blame the California governor for the rolling blackouts and power shortages that have plagued the state for the past several years.
“Mr. Davis should apologize for failing to act and then panicking during the energy crisis,” said Simon during their televised debate.
Although Davis conceded that the energy situation has been a “tough challenge,” many willingly back the governor.
“The main thing that is dragging Davis down at this point is the power crisis of last year,” said junior Jeffrey Bale, a supporter of Davis.
“It is unfortunate that it is all being blamed on him, because if anyone deserves blame for the crisis it is Davis’ predecessor Gov. (Pete) Wilson and the California voters.”
Moore said that Davis actually alleviated the energy recession.
According to Moore, “(Davis) approved 12 electric power plants within his first two years in office. Had he not done that, there would have been much more of a crisis than we had. The recession was not his fault.”
Grounds added that the voting public “always seems to blame the person in charge.”
POLITICAL CHARACTER
As with any election, personal character will be a vital issue this November.
“The people of California deserve to hear … an apology from Mr. Davis … for a disastrous four years in office … and the awful ethical tone that you’ve set in your administration,” Simon said during the opening minutes of the debate earlier this month.
A few minutes later, Davis fired back. “(Simon) is simply out of step with the values of most Californians.”
These criticisms serve as mild examples of the attacks and counterattacks during the course of the campaign.
Simon’s biggest obstacle may be his lack of experience in politics, or in
Farned’s words, his status as a “political novice.”
Moore said he was skeptical of Simon “having never been tried in the political system before.”
The experienced Davis must overcome the perception that he is a dull politician with a more moderate than liberal stance.
Sophomore Michael Young conceded the Simon was more “flamboyant” than
Davis.
“But just because (Davis) lacks charisma doesn’t mean he is less qualified,” he said.
For some, the inflammatory exchanges between the candidates have diverted their personal affiliation, including for senior Marc Ang.
“The way I see it, voting in this election is simply choosing the lesser of two evils,” he said.
Considering the persuasive power of the multiple character attacks,
Farned said that there is only one way to promote a fair, democratic election.
“Vote, vote, vote, because it’s a right many women and men have given their lives to ensure,” he said.
And despite what is at stake, he said he was not concerned about the campaign’s Nov. 5 conclusion.
“Don’t worry about he outcome,” he said. “Gov. Davis will win re-election.”
October 31, 2002