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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 1980)
Carters ‘play by my rules ’stand looks like attempt to rig election by DAVID S. BRODER CLEVELAND — Jimmy Carter is a good politician, which means he will try to get every advantage that he can for himself. But when a good politician is also the President of the United States, his boldness in pressing his personal advantage can easily overstep the line and amount to rigging the election in advance. That is something Richard Nixon did in 1972 — to his ultimate destruction. And it is something Carter is on the verge of doing this year. Last fall, when he was trailing Ted Kennedy in his bid for renomination, Carter wanted to debate, and a debate was scheduled. Later, when Kennedy plummeted in the polls, Carter decided that the Iranian hostage situation made a debate improper, and the debate was cancelled. All through the winter and spring he stayed out of his opponent’s reach, inside the White House, while con ducting a proxy campaign through phone calls, inter views and his chosen surrogates. Last month, with Kennedy on the ropes and the hostages slipping into the oblivion of their prison cells, Carter decreed the crisis over and ended his self- imposed ban on campaigning. This week, he was here acting just like a normal candidate. But still Carter insists on playing by his special rules. He has refused to meet Kennedy in a debate, and he announced, through press secretary Jody Powell, that while he woultj, in the fall, he would not share a platform with independent candidate John B. Anderson. According to Powell, the voters are interested in seeing Carter and Reagan debate, because “it is general ly accepted that the next president will be one of those two men.” Maybe. But the Yankelovich poll in Time magazine the day before Powell spoke showed it was Reagan, 36; Carter 34; and Anderson, 23. Given Carter’s ability to blow 28 points of a 30-point lead over Jerry Ford in the fall of 1976, Anderson’s ambitions may be more than the “fantasy” Powell called them. Carter has good reason not to want Anderson in the debate. He knows such an appearance would legitimize the Illinois congressman’s candidacy and thus increase the risk that he could be a significant factor in the outcome. Reagan, who has debated Anderson twice already this year and survived, has no hangups about facing him again — especially since his managers be lieve that Anderson will draw more votes from Carter than from the Republican nominee. The question whether Anderson should be in the debate is a tough one — with important implications beyond 1980. Placing an independent candidate on a par with the major party nominees in the central events of the campaign would, in my judgment, tend to reduce the legitimacy of the two-party system that has served America well. Perhaps the special circumstances of 1980 and the measurable large disaffection with the nominees require such a step. But it needs to be carefully consi dered. But Carter does not want it carefully considered. He wants it barred by executive order. The problem of meeting the Carter challenge now lies with the League of Women Voters, the sponsor of the prospective debates. While the decision on invitations will finally be made by the League’s board of trustees, the judgment will be influenced by the report of an advisory committee headed by two of the most public- spirited partisans in the land. They are Newton Minow of Chicago, a Democratic lawyer and former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and Anne Armstrong of Texas, a former co-chairman of the Repub lican National Committee and ambassador to Great Bri tain. When I talked to Minow and Armstrong the day after the Carter-Powell ultimatum, they were understand ably unhappy. Their advisory committee is still in the process of formation and no criteria have been discussed — let alone decided — for including or excluding Anderson or other independent candidates. “I was disappointed that the president has precon ceived views on the question,” Armstrong said. “We want to set ground rules that We fair to all contenders, and he has thrown up a barrier sooner than I expected he would.” The League itself closed its 1976 debates to all conten ders except Carter and Ford, and defended a court challenge to its action from independent candidate Eugene McCarthy. The Federal Election Commission regulations in effect for 1980 clearly give the sponsor ing organization the right to restrict participation in the debate. Moreover, a decision to open the debate to Anderson would entail its own difficulties, for there are 29 other independent and minor-party candidates who have raised or spent at least $5,000. One of them, Libertarian Ed Clark, is already on 30 state ballots, and another, the Citizen’s Party’s Barry Commoner, is on six ballots, the same number Anderson has gained. Properly, this election should center on the candi date’s records, programs and abilities. But Carter seems determined to preempt that question with his con tinuing effort to rewrite the rules of the game to his own advantage. If he goes on trying to rig the outcome at every stage of the contest, then he will make it a lot simpler for many undecided voters to cast their ballots. (cj 1980, The Washington Post Company Class of’80 dumbfounding analysts College grads caring more by PATRICIA McCORMACK United Press International The quiet collegians — Class of 1980 — waited until graduation time to show there’s a little spirit of some thing besides “me first” under the gowns and mortar boards. This is the crop of students dumbfounding analysts. They are supposed to be apolitical; apathetic; me-first — the almighty dollar over all — and then can come God, mother, country and human society. But from the commencement scene come signs priorities are being shifted, feelings are surfacing, and that maybe the me-first tag isn’t quite right. At the University of Virginia, for example, little yel low ribbons dangled from the gowns of many in the commencement parade — remembrance of the hostages in Iran. The “yellow” showed up in other graduation ceremonies and included tying yellow ribbons around tree trunks (as in the song, to signify love despite separa tion). In Philadelphia, Temple University grads applauded parents, spouses and even little brothers and sisters. Some grads skipped commencement. A “skipper” from a state university told a neighbor asking about commencement, “Ah, that’s a lot of— you know,” he said. Then he went back to polishing his motorcycle. But some old-timers, those getting a Ph. D. at an older age, did what old-timers — those with two previous degrees — don’t always do. They marched in com mencement parades. But for some reason, this year, going to the com mencement was the in-thing for Ph.D. candidates — at least at the University of Pittsburgh. Paula Bern, of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., with long-ago B.A.- M.A. said so. She has five children on various steps to the doctorates and is the wife of a Ph. D. candidate. The offspring include a daughter doctor, a son in med school, others on that trail. “I didn’t want to be the only one in the family without a doctorate,” she said. The degree mattered enough for her to go to graduation — even though she is 49. Bern, a public relations consultant, now is looking for a job in college administration. At Yale University in New Haven, Conn., the tradi tional show of helium-filled blue balloons in the gradua tion parade was broken up by pink and green ones with the symbol of a clenched fist, signifying demand for rights for women, blacks, hispanics. Huge letters painted on sheets hanging from dorms ringing the graduation common made other demands dissent: No nukes; no draft; end racism at Yale; equal rights for women at Yale; pull the school’s investment money out of firms doing business with “racist” South Africa. White armbands were on the left arms of about 10 to 15 percent of the Yale class of 1980. Similar armbands were spotted at other commencements. The meaning: “We won’t go” said some armband wearers. “How do you stand on the draft?” a graduate without an armband was asked. He answered: “Just say I am apolitical, I am apathetic. I am not against anything right now.” At Yale, in a major address before graduation day, school president A. Bartlett Giamatti did what college presidents do these days — he beat the drums for less federal regulation, more support from corporations, which, he said, only give away 0.9 percent of its allow able 5 percent tax deductible funds. He declared the private sector is threatened — due to, among other things, inflation and the high price of oil. At class day the students heard what the Yale Daily News “commencement special” called the class’s “de sperate” choice for a speaker — Sen. Bill Bradley, D- N.J. Viewpoint The Battalion Thursday Texas A&M University June 5,1980 Candi replaced the tim< Grads ‘know what they want) typically, it ’s fin an cial security Senatori by RICHARD H. GROWALD United Press International DURHAM, N.C. — Principal John H. Lucas of Hill side High School shoved his chair back and slapped a hand on his office desk. “High school graduates of 1980 are different from those of even a few years ago,” he said. “Several years ago if a student was caught in some minor violation, he probably would have denied doing it. Today he admits it. They are not afraid of life,” said Lucas, 59. One of his vice principals, Thelma Battle, 47, said, “I think the class of’80 will do all right. Most won’t set the world on fire. But they know what they want.” The other vice principal, Helen Compton, 31, smiled. “What they want is to get rich,” she said. The three laughed. But in jest was fact. Hillside is one of Durham’s two high schools. Both are 90 percent black. Lucas and his aides estimate up to 10 per cent have automobiles, live in their own apartments and perhaps have families of their own already. This is not a ghetto setting. Hillside sits on a leafy hill amid middle class brick and frame houses with mani cured lawns. Unlike New York City’s schools, the walls are clean of graffiti smear. There are no police watching the brick school. The hot recent cause was the greatness of Reginald Shaw, a 17-year-old substitute who rose in midseason to lead Hillside to two unexpected football triumphs. Durham is New as well as Old South — three downtown tobacco warehouses are marked into being High Tech era design apartment houses but, the surgeon general, filters and king size packs, suh, you can still buy Home Run cigarettes here. Durham might well be typical America. Listen to its graduates. Kimberly Battle, 16 and by test one of the brightest of the 260 members of Hillside’s class of’80, so intelligent that she’s bound for Duke University, did not hesitate when asked her aims in after-graduation life. “Make a lot of money,” she said. She paused, sum moning up other aims. “To own my own business. And, yes, to help other people on the way to success.” Love? Marriage? “My career is going to come first,” she said. Mrs. Battle, the vice principal, sat listening to her daughter. She said nothing. Neither did Principal Lua! or Compton. Silence. Kimberly, in a wooden chair by Lucas’dei suggested another graduate concern. “Our chief concern, what we worry about the most,! suppose, is world security. Will the world last uni tomorrow.” Kimberly left. Sheila Butler, 17, took the seat nexttj Lucas’ desk. She said she was going in the fall to th University of North Carolina, study dentistry and! pleasure if I do what I want to do and succeed andkf pleasure doing it.” But money is the thing. “My great worry is thatlmj go through all the years of dental training andthennul having the money to set myself up in practice.” Bridgette Allen, 17, said, “I see that life willbeeaa; not all cream. I don’t expect anything to be handedmt She smiled. Then unsmiled. “The world out there will be a struggle. You’vegott: fight what is thrown at you. Life is struggle.” Lester Bass, 17, class of’80: “My ambition is to come a doctor. My aim is to make money. Fear? Yes,id becoming rich. “And I fear there will be a war and I’ll have to want to live in a world of Mercedes.” Lester left. Shaw, the substitute quarterback made good, sat. “I think life will be happiness. Then will much fun in life. Girls, sex, all of that. ” Lucas smiled. The principal said Shaw, a among students, was the boy the girls most wanted tost next to in the cafeteria. Shaw’s grin was gone now. He was talking ol feelings. His life aims were to “be pleasant, toworkd support my family and go with God.” In the past year he had begun going to church “mostli to please my mother. Now I go to please myself, ll makes me feel good.” Did he have fear? “National security. Can we has two more years without a war? I don’t want to In the office Lucas told Annette Wilson, 18, she® be the class of ’80 valedictorian. She hugged him. did she see the future? “We all will have to work for what we get. will be free. The world’s a mess, of course. To wake up in the morning is a victory. “Most of us are ready for the world, though. There* a few who think the future will be a big party She smiled. “Poor idiots,” she said. Caper bent Sei pemocr practice days am “We’\ on all ca ton said McNi paignin; currentl said he i will org; “I am the fact in this < winlwi in the I Both could b who su] Althoug date, se conside “I an “McNu can par Do drc slig Young challenger, oldincumben have contrasting campaign style by RAYMVNDO PEREZ United Press International AUSTIN — A young attorney is proving that voters can be educated in statewide court races, and with very little money. Michael J. McCormack, on leave of absence as execu tive director of the County and District Attorneys Asso ciation, spent only $10,000 in the May 3 Democratic primary in his bid for a seat on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He garnered 40 percent of the vote and is pitted against W.T. Phillips, the 67-year-old incumbent from Waco, in the June 7 runoff. Phillips, who spent about twice what McCormack did during the primary, re ceived 33 percent of the votes. McCormack, the young challenger, and Phillips, the oldest candidate, have contrasting styles. McCormack, who will not reach the minimum age of 35 to serve on the court until October, said Phillips^ ^ ose °f Unii LONDi slightly oi markets W rose Europe. An oum in London rise of $8.! London ai The do money m were only “The steady wil appearing Barclay’s in Lon started tb crease of Tuesday’s The do! furt with Deutsch Zurich w Swiss frai with an from 4.14 opening from 28. T In Ams at 1.947C T not have the experience to sit on the bench, he has practiced law for 39 years. The young challenjJ contends Phillips has not been an active trial law? during his career. Phillips is unwilling to criticize his opponent maintains he should be reelected because of “my n tation for being fair and upholding the constitutions the statutes.” He concedes that 80 percent of his law practice civil, but added be has “represented defendants in pi tically every kind of case. opening c 837.80 ai 220.40 ye close of 2 about world Bradley — Princeton grad, former Rhodes scholar, New York Knicks star, and the youngest senator at 36 — was obtained, the Yale Daily News said, because of “the inability of the class to procure any of the speakers suggested in a classwide survey.” The first three choices were British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, actor Alan Alda and author Lillian Heilman. “We didn’t want a politician like Kennedy,” said David Leibschultz. “We wanted someone to speak to us as a class, not to the voters of America. We wanted a statesman, not a politician.” “Though now a bonafide politican, Bradley seemed a good choice,” a student said. “He was sort of Mr. Cool and Mr. Together when he was with the Knicks and I think he combines a lot ol experiences that are important,” Liebschultz said. Bradley recalled a scene from the movie “The Deerhunter” in which steelworkers gathered in silence for breakfast in a bar after burying one of their buddies, a victim of the Vietnam war. When the group broke out singing “God Bless Amer ica”, it kind of symbolized the American spirit, he said. Ten years ago a “God Bless America” theme in a gradua tion speech would have been hooted in some places. Bradley wasn’t hissed either when he recommended a year’s service to the country by young persons — sol dier, peace corps, government, education or health work. Some students endorsed his idea, but with qualifica tion. “I won’t go to the Mideast to fight for oil company profits,” said a dissenter. At the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Bruce Weisenthal, from Milwaukee, told fellow graduates: “We have no reason to be optimistic. “After all, we are running out of fuel, Detroit is col lapsing, interest rates are at an all-time high , and the public complains of a lack of able leadership. . “We do have some adjustments to make.” “I’ve tried several capital murder cases and never anyone burned,” Phillips said. McCormack also has criticized Phillips for grant too many reversals during his fouryear tenure. Statist show Phillips affirms 5.6 times as many cases ask reverses, while other judges average 8.2 affirmation! per every reversal. “He should interpret the law, not just forthebenei of defendants but for the benefit of society as McCormack said. McCormack also wants to work out a compromise oi the future election of judges. He said there shouldb compromise between outright election by voters am outright appointment. “We’ve got to reach a good compromise in order to ^ more qualified people to serve on the courts,” he sail) “We need a dedicated effort to study the matter can reach a reasonable solution.” The Battalion K] 20 U S P S 045 360 MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Dillard Stone City Editor Becky Swanson Sports Editor Richard Olivei News Editor Lynn Blanco Staff Writers Uschi Michel-Howei. Debbie Nelson, Cathy Saathoff. Scot K. Meyer, Jon Heidtlce Kurt Allen Photo Editor Lee Roy Leschperjc Photographer Marsha Hoehn EDITORIAL POLICY The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper openteix 1 community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College & tion. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or it’ author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas 0 University administrators or faculty members, or of the Boad O Bcgents. 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