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Election
issues with three Political Science professors
By Dana Imperia '05
On Oct. 2, more than 20 students and faculty
attended a
 roundtable
discussion on election issues with Dr. Matthew R. Kerbel, a professor of
political science, Dr. David M. Barrett, an associate professor of political
science, and Dr. Robert Maranto, an assistant professor of political
science, in Falvey Memorial Library.
The speakers were introduced by Dr. Craig M.
Wheeland, a professor and chair of the political science department. Each
speaker began with a 20-minute opening statement, followed by questions from
the audience.
One of the primary issues discussed was the
intensity of this year’s election. Kerbel noted that there are two distinct
views of President Bush, “One group looks at Bush as a resolute leader,
keeping us safe and the other group looks at him as stupid, putting the
nation and the world at risk. These two groups cannot talk to each other and
will not talk to each other because they don’t understand each other.”
Kerbel also focused on the high level of passion seen in this election and
provided reasons why there are still undecided voters in such an important
election.
Barrett agreed with Kerbel’s views that this
election will have a high voter turnout; however, Maranto questioned the
intensity of people. “I think you should vote. I think voting is fun,
interesting and important. It’s good to punish incompetence and reward
competence. If you have an ideology you should express that in your voting,
but if the other guy wins don’t hate your country. The other candidate or
party isn’t the enemy, Al-Queda is,” Maranto warned.
Another topic concerning the speakers was the
possibility of another Florida-type fiasco and its effects on the country.
Due to the fervor of many voters, if another tight race ensues, many voters
could question the legitimacy of the system. “Ninety-three percent of Kerry
supporters will not accept the legitimacy of a second Bush administration if
it is a close race and forty percent of Bush supporters will not accept a
Kerry administration if it is a close race. These are frightening figures
and a second consecutive election tainted by questionable facts could
possibly bring us into dangerous territory,” Kerbel said. Both Maranto and
Barrett agreed with Kerbel, but all three noted that the possibility of a
second tainted election would be unlikely due to high voter turnout.
Other issues presented were early voting, historical
trends of undecided voters, minority groups and their effects on this
election, and the appointment of Supreme Court justices by the next
President.
This
event was hosted by Falvey Memorial Library. “The library serves to promote
awareness of intellectual life which we hope to achieve by providing the
student body and faculty with these types of events,” Joseph Lucia, director
of Falvey, stated. |
