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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2000)
Page 4A Alpha Chi Omega Wishes to congratulate our New Members Sarah Adam Jill De Witt Jessica Marts Christi Shafer Michelle Adams Larin Frederick Natalie McCoy Emily Simmons Laura Andries Jill Hamilton Erin McCrory Becca Sloan Jenifer Barondes Natalie Harris Stacy Meyer Ashley Smith Sarah Beck Jill Jackson Molly Mlod Lenti Smith Kelly Bena Kristen Hubbell Amy Morgan Macee Smith Lisa Bianchi Marianne Hudson Allison Nichols Melinda Smith Sarah Blue Kristin James Kimberly Olson Andrea Stegall Paige Boyce Ashley Judith Krisyn Potter Sarah Thomas Crys Brown Jennifer Kaspar Micala Proesch Brandy Tilley Jill Buescher Tanya Keck Bethany Penola Liz Vaughan Laura Cannon Holly Kious Victoria Phillips Christi Villarreal Elaine Cherry Lauren Kish Elizabeth Proffitt Chrisitina Wilkowski Nicole Coselli Melissa Knott Amy Ransdell Gina Yaklin Holly Cothran Raemi Kolb Melissa Ray Brynn Crow Courtney Liston Lauren Saladino Brittany David Melissa Loria Debra Seale PIZZA 1 fpMJOHfe Monday Nite: Beat the Clock Time You Call is the Price You Pay! (from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.) On a Large 1 Topping Pizza Tips are appreciated College Station Northgate 764-7272 846-3600 1100 Harvey Rd. 601 University Bryan 268-7272 3414 East 29th St. : Harvey Road location open till 2 a.m. on Thursday, 3 a.m. on Friday & Saturday AGGIELIFE Monday, September 18,2000 THE BATTALION THE RIGHT GRIP Conservative politics dominate Texas A&M voters By Stuart Hutson The Battalion With little more than a month and a half until citizens of this country go to the voting booth to cast their bal lots for the presidential candidate of their choice, those who would be president are picking up the pace down the campaign trail. Soon, television and radio will be inundated with nominees promising an American future that no one else could supply. Fliers and propaganda will fight for space on the walls of every gas station, every bumper and in most magazines. But, for the students of Texas A&M, the war of words probably will seem a little lopsided come November. There has been a long-standing perception that, at a school where military uniforms and outspoken conservative views are common place, any political organization not boasting a Republican elephant as a mascot would be dead in the water. “There is this thought that the Republicans just dominate every thing here. ... Don't be so sure that it’s necessarily true, though,” said Ian King, a four-year member of the Aggie Democrats. King is serving as publicity direc tor for the organization and has also been its president and vice president in the past. He said that, if anything, his experiences have taught him not to take popular perception as fact. “If you break it down, 1 think that you will find that most of the students here support many issues that have been classically Democratic,” King said. “Minimum wage, some envi ronmental protection, further support for student loans — all things that the Republicans have railed against, but also all things that most college stu dents fully support.” Regardless of individual political standings, however, there is little question that the Republican presi dential nominee will be more widely viewed than any other at A&M. “We’re not going to put the ma jority of our effort into campaigning for Gore, because we just aren't go ing to build a big following for him.” King said. “Just like Gore, national ly speaking, isn't going to put a lot of emphasis on Texas. Bush, the gover nor of the state, pretty much has it.” King said that the overwhelming Monday, Septemt "A lot of students wouldn't even call themselves [Re publican or De mocrat], but when they are drawn out to the voting booth, I'm pretty sure the majority will vote for Bush." — Jason Denby President of Aggies for Bush support for Bush at A&M may come more from the atmosphere of con servatism at A&M more than indi vidual political leanings. "There are many things here that make it a conservative setting,” he said. “Military, in the form of the Corps [of Cadets], has long been seen as affiliated with the Republican Par ty. The traditions here, while a won derful part of the overall Aggie expe rience, can also instill a sense of conservatism. 'This overall sense often draws peo ple here who are initially conservative, and once here,fcan sort of put them in a ronsprvfltivp rnnnrt whirh rnn ;iffprt for Bush and a senior politi cal science major, said the conserva tive leaning helps his organization, “We are a Republican group,bi we welcome anyone who supports Bush, regardless of affiliations, Denby said. "Voting for president and political party affiliation do nm always go together. “A lot of students wouldn't evei call themselves one thing over an other, but when they are drawn out n the voting booth. I’m pretty surefe majority will vote for Bush.” Neither the Republican orDe mocratic organizations at A&Mv deny that the Republican-affiliate organizations have had a Ion' held upper hand when it comesn recruitment. "Yes, the Republican organiza tions get more participation thantls Democratic organizations,” sas Jack Long, president of the Texa A&M College Republicans andap nior political science major. “Bu that is because more students ben would align themselves with Repiib lican view, although I’m not real; sure of the percentage. "1 wouldn't say that Republic;: do have a perceived dominance, he said. "They certainly don'tfn what I read in the newspaper.Tb are just more conservative than! eral students here.” As for the smaller, lesser knc organizations, such as the Aggie!:: ertarians and Democratic Socials of Texas A&M, that often find the- selves with \ iews that deviate fa the commonplace, a conservai majority can be a hindrance. "Many students come here* a closed mind.” said Chris L:. ford, president of the Democr: Socialists of Texas A&M and sec political science and sociologyi jor. “Once they get here, thee servative environment helpstl keep their mind closed. All we do is to try and show them the fering viewpoints.” Kick Pat Gree Creek Arr the event Cary Pien Ma Jury ft HOUSTO pleaded guilt; nience store c 10 cents was penalty Satur Exzavier I pleaded guilt; Feb. 16 shooi and Syed Me tion in Housh A jury fou a continuing t spite emotion |ily members i and low men be sentenced V e t'ui- f , Employer Workshop Series Learn from corporate representatives how to get the job you want! resume writing Monday, Sept. 18, 2000 4 p.m. MSC 225 Featured Company: Wallace Computer TAMG Career Center 845-5139 209 Koldus http://careercenter.tamu.edu A place to meet your next employer ecember Graduates, The Official Texas A&M Graduation Announcements Order via the web! http://graduation.tamu.edu AH orders and payments must be received by September 29! MSC Box Office ,, 979-845-1234 M-P11 am-8pm {-888-890-5667 * Fraternities, Sororities & All Organizations of Texas A&M me Call Two Months to Six Weeks Prior & Receive Special Group Rate Contact: Debby Teague 2008 Texas Ave. S. College Station (Next to Hastings) 696-5557 Open Monday - Friday (10 - 6). Open Late on Mondays & Thurdays until 8. Saturdays (10 - 5)