Students know little and care less about democratic candidates

Some students say they lack time to follow election coverege

By Sara Pacheco, Beth Warmerdam, Eisa Al Nashmi, ErikaLindquist

The race for the U.S. presidency has been well covered by television and newspapers, but when asked, Fresno State students knew little about many of the people involved.

With the exception of current president George W. Bush as the Republican candidate, few knew much about the candidates in the race for the Democratic nomination, whether it was John Kerry, Howard Dean or Wesley Clark.

Senior Paj Lor, a liberal studies major, doesn’t care much about this year’s election.

“ I don’t even know who is involved,” Lor said. “Honestly? I’m just too busy to care.”

Jennifer Stoddard, a freshman majoring in public administration, said she is too busy to follow much election coverage as well.

“ I only get to see a little bit of news, so if they say something, that is what I know,” Stoddard said. “I’m not very knowledgeable [about the candidates] yet, but I am still listening and trying to keep an open mind.”

Some voters and potential voters choose candidates by issue, some by political party, while others base their decisions on who they simply like better.

Meghan Collins, a sophomore biology major, chooses her candidates by issue, but has not made a decision as to who her vote will go to yet.

“ I usually go with the most environmentalist candidate,” Collins said. “When we get closer, I’ll start reading about them.”

Khlood Salah, a nursing major, said she doesn’t know anything about the Democratic presidential candidates, but that she “would vote for someone “who has good views and looks out for the people of America.”

Others keep Bush as their main choice and continue to support him for a second term in office.

Adrian Flores, a business administration major, is one of those supporters.

“I’m comfortable with this president because our economy has improved dramatically since Sept. 11,” Flores said. “This fact, in addition to military action against Afghanistan and Iraq shows the administration to be decisive as well as effective in times of crisis.”

Liberal studies major Stephanie Walls has not been following the Democratic presidential race because she has already decided to support Bush.

Walls said she “admires Bush’s Christian morals and values and the way he led the country, especially after the Sept. 11 attacks.”

Amanda Fazio, a sophomore majoring in psychology, is also a Bush supporter. Like Wall, she has not been following the Democratic side much, but knows Bush will have opposition.

“ [The winner] might be a threat, but I’m not too worried about it,” Fazio said.

Senior Heather Burnett, a psychology major, also will vote for a second term in office for Bush.

“ I feel that Bush has made some good impacts on the world and being a Republican, I will vote and support him again.”

Many voters have decisions to make—and soon. But with a lack of candidate knowledge and feelings of confusion and uncertainty, it could be a harder year than expected for voters.

“ I feel like this election is a free for all,” Jane Hawley, a junior majoring in history said. “Out of Kerry, Clark and Dean, I haven’t the foggiest who to vote for.”

The next few months will be telling for presidential candidates, as more voters find their way through individual issues and platforms and find a candidate to back in the race for the White House.