Trump Wins!

ELECTION EXTRA A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WICHITAN OF MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY | NOV. 9, 2016

Trump Wins!

WASHINGTON OUTSIDER ELECTED PRESIDENT JEROMY STACY REPORTER

Despite record levels of dissatisfaction with both candidates and with record voter turnout, voters elected Donald Trump as the president of the United States last night.

I

t was a historical night on Nov 8, as Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election. However, some students were not too pleased with outcome.

Students and professors sat in the Legacy Hall multipurpose room watching and waiting as CNN stayed up-to-date with electoral votes. For hours, the race was considered too close to call, but Trump was slightly ahead.

At 10:35 p.m., CNN announced that Trump won Florida, setting the attitude for the rest of the night.

Brandy Jolliff Scott, assistant professor of political science, said, “A lot of the polls and projections didn’t predict this, and so I’m wondering what the pollsters got wrong.”

Scott doesn’t think Trump has the experience to be the president.

“He is unusual and he doesn’t have experience in government. But there are plenty of concerns for both candidates,” said Scott.

Michelle Lopez, exercise physiology junior, has similar thoughts.

“We have a reality TV star as president,” said Lopez.

Niko Padilla, marketing senior, is a Clinton supporter.

Padilla said, “I am not pro-Trump. But it is what the country decided. Hopefully it’s not as people think. It could surprise us, but ultimately I’ll be disappointed.”

Lopez believes she has figured out why Trump has had success.

Lopez said, “He’s smart because he knows who his audience is, and he’s playing to his audience and that’s how he’s getting his votes. He’s pissing off the right people and telling the right people what they want to hear. Is it necessarily what he believes? I don’t know. But for the whole time he’s been in the spotlight, you never hear about any of the issues that are going on now.”

Lopez offered some advice to the new president.

“Don’t piss off the Mexicans,” Lopez said. “He should just stick to what he knows about business and running the economy. As far as his political views, I wouldn’t play too much into it.”

continued on page 3

2B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

Votes really for Electoral College reps EMILY SIMMONS REPORTER

A

ll votes cast on Nov. 8 will determine which candidate’s representatives will participate in the Electoral College vote on their behalf.

The government established the Electoral College as a compromise between having Congress and the majority vote of the citizens decide who would be President of the United States.

“You’re not casting your vote for a candidate.

You’re voting for a representative in the Electoral College,” Everett Kindig, history professor, said.

THE PROCESS

The amount of representative each state has in both the House of Representatives and the Senate determines the amount of electors from each state.

In this case, the District of Columbia is treated like a state and receives three electoral votes. The Electoral College is comprised of 538 total representatives, and a candidate must receive at least 270 votes to claim the majority win.

If one candidate cannot reach the majority — 270 votes, the decision will go to the House of Representatives and then the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, a Republican.

Each candidate has his or her own choice of electors who they nominate to represent them in the Electoral College. However, under federal law electors do not have to vote for the candidate their state has chosen in the popular vote.

“There are some electors who have said they might not vote with their state because they don’t like the candidate,” Jeremy Duff, associate professor of political science, said.

Certain states require that the electors must pledge their vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote, but no elector has been formally prosecuted for changing their vote.

“We might see more faithless electors who vote for someone other than the candidate that won their state,” Duff said.

All states, except for Nebraska and Maine, have a winner-takes-all system for electoral votes. Nebraska and Maine award electoral votes to both parties in order to achieve proportional representation. This form of representation can reflect the interests of states in a more accurate way.

“We don’t really get to see the blended nature of states, and it’s hard to see that through the lens of

the Electoral College,” Linda Veazey, associate professor of political science, said.

Each governor will send a Certificate of Ascertainment to Congress with the selected electoral voters after the winner of the popular vote in each state is determined. The chosen electors for each state will meet for their official vote on Dec. 19, and Congress will officially tally the votes on Jan. 6. On Jan. 20, the next President of the United States will be inaugurated into office.

The official decision made by the Electoral College usually concurs with the popular or majority vote, but there have been four times in history where candidates did not win the popular vote, but did win the majority of electoral votes.

“The Electoral College will usually reflect the will of the American people, unless the election is very close,” Kindig said.

PROS AND CONS

There are pros and cons to the Electoral College process.

“The Electoral College gives smaller states more leverage,” Kindig said.

Veazey said people from rural states can feel like their state matters in a way that’s not just about big cities. The Electoral College can also reflect the fact that living in different areas have different needs.

“It represents the interests and strengths of the states,” Kindig said.

There are also down sides to the Electoral College process. Candidates tend to focus the majority of their attention and campaign on swing states.

“Campaigns focus their resources on particular states in a way they wouldn’t if they were just going for the most votes. Some voters may want more or less attention to their states from candidates,” Veazey said.

Duff said he dislikes how the Electoral College process places so much emphasis on large population states, and gives more power to swing states.

“It forces candidates to campaign heavily in some states and not at all in others. Candidates tend to neglect other states that are safely red or blue,” Duff said.

Kindig said the Electoral College process has become less important over the years due to the party system, and instead of voting based on an evaluation of the candidate, electoral votes are given to a certain party.

The process can be confusing for non-Americans

because the Electoral College system is not common throughout other countries.

“Because we have this indirect system of electing our president, it doesn’t really make sense to people from other countries and democracies who are used to a direct vote,” Veazey said.

STUDENT REACTIONS

KEY:

DEMOCRAT

REPUBLICAN

Students have mixed feelings on the continued use of the Electoral College system. Steven Mitchell, music education junior, thinks the process is fair enough to work.

“I like that in the Electoral College you have to have a clear majority of votes to win,” Mitchell said.

Other students like Ciera Phillips, psychology junior, think the process is outdated and doesn’t matter in the long run.

“The electoral process doesn’t matter because the states will go with the popular vote either way,” Phillips said.

Drew Dabbs, music performance sophomore, agrees with Phillips that the popular vote should matter more than the electoral vote.

“We should rely on the popular vote when it comes to picking our president,” Dabbs said.

There are also students like Gabriela Russell, biology sophomore, who believe there needs to be a balance in the system.

“You can’t always trust the popular vote, but you also can’t always trust the government to choose for everyone. There needs to be a balance between how much the popular and electoral votes matter,” Russell said.

**Michigan, Wisconsin and New Hampshire were undecided at time of press.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE DEFIES POPULAR VOTE 1824 — John Quincy Adams received neither the popular nor the majority electoral vote.

Andrew Jackson received the most electoral and popular votes, but did not get the majority in the Electoral College. The vote was put to the House of Representatives and Adams was selected as President.

1876 — Rutherford B. Hayes won the majority Electoral College vote by 1 elector, but his opponent Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote.

1888 — Benjamin Harrison won the electoral vote, but lost the popular vote to Grover Cleveland by more than 90,000 votes.

2000 — George W. Bush won the electoral vote against Al Gore 271-266. However, Gore won the popular vote by about 540,000 votes.

S TA F F E D I T O R I A L

America: Here’s to new beginnings and hopeful future Let’s make America great again.

Congratulations are in order to Donald Trump for winning the 2016 presidential election.

Described to be one of the most controversial elections the United States has ever seen, millions watched in anticipation to find out which contender will be left standing in the electoral college bout.

After hours of tallying the votes for each state, Trump comes out victorious in this years grudge match of a presidential election.

For Trump supporters, this is a sign of new life for the United States.

For Hillary Clinton supporters, this would appear to be nothing short of a nuclear disaster.

Congratulations to Wichita Falls Mayor Elect, Stephen Santellana, an MSU alumni.

Santellana was in a civil battle with fellow candidate Tim Ingle.

Jesse Brown is showing good promise with his slogan “Jesse Brown for the Town” the District Four councilor seat as he is a recent graduate from MSU with high honors.

As 2016 comes to an end, citizens of the United States and Wichita Falls, will have much to look forward to both national and locally with the new leadership in place.

Here is to new beginnings and a hopeful future.

| Nov. 9, 2016 | 3B PHOTO BY ALYSSA MITCHELL

Andrea Mendoza, English senior and Luke Allen, political science junior, color their Electoral College maps at the election watch party last night.

PHOTO BY ALYSSA MITCHELL

James Smith, mechanical engineering freshman, colors his Electoral College map at the election watch party last night.

PHOTO BY IZZIEL LATOUR

A KFDX reporter interviews Steve Garrison, associate professor of political science, at the election watch party on Nov. 8.

continued from page 1

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

Padilla, obviously dissatisfied with Trump as a role model, has some words for Trump as well.

“I’ve read his political panel and statutes, and as a person, I think he is not a good person. As a political figure, I feel like he is not someone you would look up to,” Padilla said. “I would definitely tell him to clean up his attitude and act. He is president. He does have kids looking up to him.

He has to present himself in a certain way. You can’t just be telling people, ‘grab them by the you-know-what,’ and you can’t just demean women, especially in an era like this where women are uprising,” Padilla said.

Adam Sutton, kinesiology junior, is a Trump supporter, but fears the outcome of the polarity of the campaign.

“Don’t be too left or right. The biggest thing is compromise. You’re not always right, but you’re not always wrong.

They’ve got to find some middle ground. I’m not a big fan of way left or way right candidates. They always think they are correct, and they aren’t always correct.”

Sutton shared how he feels the people should handle the outcome.

“Whoever wins the presidency, American citizens should rally around them. Even if he’s not your candidate, he is still your president.”

WHO’S GOING TO WIN

“I wanted to spend the evening with my students enjoying the electoral process.” | Jeremy Duff, political science associate professor This is an exciting night in political science. We invited everyone from our classes to come out and socialize, as well as practice citizenship.” | Linda Veazey, political science associate professor “This is a part of a series of learning communities. We put together this party for everyone to see how this turns out.

It’s a big night for the political science department. It’s our Christmas.” Steve Garrison, political science chair

“Clinton will win. She’s ahead in the polls, and she has an easier path through the electoral college.” | Duff “It’s hard to tell at this point. Several of battleground or swing states are close. It’s going to be a long night. It’s all about the electoral vote.” | Veazey “The winner is the American voter.” | Garrison

ANYTHING SURPRISING HAPPEN?

“Not yet, but Trump is up in Florida.” | Duff “Not yet.” | Veazey “Virginia is close. That’s pretty interesting.” | Garrison

ACCORDING TO STUDENTS

39% 30% 14% 3.4% 5.1% 1.7% 6.3% Trump Clinton Johnson Stein Someone No Not else one sure IF THE ELECTION WERE HELD TODAY, FOR WHOM WOULD YOU VOTE? N=176 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

HILLARY CLINTON | Has the experience it takes to be president — 69.6% | Would display good judgment in a crisis — 54.7% | Can manage the government effectively — 53.6% | Is likable — 53.0% | Cares about the needs of people like you — 55.0% | Can get things done — 42.3% | Can bring about the changes this country needs — 40.9% | Is a strong and decisive leader — 40.0% | Is honest and trustworthy — 40.4% | Stands up to special interest groups — 43.1% | Is healthy enough to be president — 41.1% DONALD TRUMP | Has the experience it takes to be president — 30.4% | Would display good judgment in a crisis — 45.3% | Can manage the government effectively — 46.4% | Is likable — 47.0% | Cares about the needs of people like you — 45.0% | Can get things done — 57.8% | Can bring about the changes this country needs — 59.1% | Is a strong and decisive leader — 60.0% | Is honest and trustworthy — 59.7% | Stands up to special interest groups — 56.9% | Is healthy enough to be president — 58.9%

4B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

GARRETT HUTCHINSON REPORTER

Record levels of dissatisfaction fuel election trends

Kaitlyn Veitenheimer, business sophomore, said, “It is sad that America is supposed to be the greatest country, but these are the two best candidates we can come up with. How are things supposed to get better when this election is basically picking which candidate is the ‘least bad.’ “ Meghan Tenbrink, radiology technician freshman, said she believes the reason why students are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. is because our country is falling apart, and people are turning on each other rather than helping each other. “What dissatisfies me is how much brutality and hatred is going on,” added Tenbrink.

A

mericans, this fall, are being polled incessantly. Almost every day, sometimes more than one time a day, a new poll comes out for this or that.

Yet, almost regardless of who does the polling or when Americans are polled this fall, the results are the same.

They are dissatisfied with the direction the country is taking and the candidates at the top of the ticket.

Midwestern students were no different.

In a recent campus survey, 50 percent of students reported being dissatisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. But it was an incomplete picture.

This time the students would have the ability to answer that ever looming question.

Why? Why are 50 percent of students dissatisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. today? And what exactly is it that dissatisfies them?

“The U.S. is moving backwards,” Arnelle Ballard, early childhood education junior, said. “We aren’t progressing in any way. We spend too much time fighting each other when we should be helping each other.”

Ballard also chose to add former candidate Bernie Sanders, who was not on the survey, refusing to back the frontrunners.

That speaks volumes to many who are terribly unhappy with the presidential candidate choices of this years election.

“Most students feel the country has been going in the wrong direction with the wrong leaders in charge,” Everett Ware, chemistry freshman, said.

“Pretty much everything happening in the U.S. government is dissatisfying,” said one anonymous survey taker.

“I just don’t feel like America is headed in the right direction,” said Alexandria Weiskircher, junior in geoscience. “I feel like we are so split within America. There is no unity.”

There were also a few who chose to be anonymous with insightful comments.

One respondent wrote that even though they are a legal immigrant in the U.S. they have seen many countries struggling, who are worse off than Americans could ever imagine.

And that even though things may not be going according to expectation, life in the U.S. is better than other countries.

“We’re supposed to be free but that’s really just an idea,” said another anonymous survey taker.

HILLARY VOTERS

PHOTO COURTESY GAGE SKIDMORE

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders speaks with supporters at a campaign rally at the convention center in Phoenix, Arizona. Sanders supporters were dissatisfied with coming election not promising change.

On the other hand, the surveys showed that over half of the students have made a decision on who they are voting for despite the conflicting views regarding both candidates.

TRUMP VOTERS

“Both party representatives are so extreme in their beliefs that people cannot relate to them. Also, both candidates have had numerous scandals,” Kelsey Purcell, mass communication, sophomore, said. “This election year has seemed more like a reality TV show than an election.”

It turns out that Purcell is not alone in feeling like the debates for Trump and Clinton were so diluted with personal attacks that the real issues were not even discussed.

“Students feel that they don’t have someone who represents them.” Jeanette Perry, mass communication post baccalaureate student, said.

“We have two presidential candidates whom don’t deserve the title of president,” Colton Havins, computer science freshman, said.

“There is a lot of confusion, hate and anger surrounding our nation, especially in terms of the election. People’s morals and values are constantly being tested,” said Jacob Spicer, nursing junior.

“The U.S. is filled with a lot of confused and selfish people.

Our country is becoming more and more embarrassing to represent between the twisted justice system, the scandals, and much more,” Nakaela Jackson, criminal justice junior, said. “Everything dissatisfies me about the U.S. I am not proud to be from a country where there is more hate than love.”

“Social issues are not being addressed effectively,” Holly McCreary, English junior, said. “I’m dissatisfied by the inequalities minorities and women face in the U.S.” “Because of society’s distrust in government, I feel that the people as a whole feel unsafe and that the economy is on a down turn,” Robert Carper nursing freshman, said. “I am dissatisfied that politicians are running this country instead of intelligent people that can shape the direction of the country,” Carper said.

“I’m dissatisfied with the fact so many people support Donald Trump. There are still so many racial and gender inequalities,” Amy Jobe, sociology junior, said. “I hate seeing on the news cops killing people or mass shootings because someone is gay or black. It’s infuriating.”

“With most of this being our first year to vote, it’s sad knowing that we don’t have much to choose from. We are making a deal with the devil,” Chynna Darcus, political science freshman, said.

Of the 70 students that completed the questionnaire, 28 are voting for Clinton, 24 said they were voting for Trump, 15 were choosing not to vote due to the candidates on the ticket and three students picked other.

“We have the worst two people running for president,” Jordan Green, nursing freshman, and Gary Johnson supporter said.

61% 18% Dissatisfied Neutral

21% Satisfied

67% 13% 19% Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied

63% 20% 17% Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied

HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN THE U.S.

HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

N=176 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

N=175 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

N=174 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

| Nov. 9, 2016 | 5B

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Graduate of Midwestern State University | Intern for National Republican Congressional Committee | Served as student regent | President of Student Government Organization | Two-term president of Kappa Alpha Order | Clark Scholar of the Year award | MSU Man of the Year 2015-16 | Recipient of the MSU President’s Medal of Excellence SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.VOTE4JESSEBROWN.COM/

MSU graduate student elected to city council MICHELLE DICKEY REPORTER

I

t can seem like Wichita Falls City Council position is just being handed to unopposed candidate, Jesse Brown, but this isn’t something he is taking lightly.

Brown graduated in 2016 with a degree in criminal justice, is working on his master’s degree and works on campus as Coordinator of Student Organizations and Leadership Programming. He began his campaign after graduation and has been working hard on it since.

Last summer, Brown interned in Washington D.C. for the Republican National Committee. This was a major motivator in his journey for City Council.

“In Washington, especially in leadership roles, most of them were so far out of touch with average American views that it was sort of unreal; it made me sick and I knew then that I didn’t want to be governed by people I didn’t trust and I wanted to have an active say,” said Brown.

He said his interest in politics and policies grew because he knew he wanted to help the direction of our country and city.

Brown, a former Student Government Association president and student representative to the MSU Board of Regents, said his biggest goal is being active and doing more than just achieving the title.

“I want to truly serve each other, serve the city and the citizens,” said Brown.

While running for City Council was something Brown said he has wanted for a while, it wasn’t his original plan. He was going to join the military after graduating and he spent months getting physically prepared.

In October 2015, Brown tore his pectoral muscle, which turned his life in a different direction.

“God kind of gives you signs and he just did not want me doing military and I tore my peck because of that. It opened my eyes up to this and I feel happy and confident in my abilities to serve,” said Brown.

Even though rehab didn’t get him back to where he needed to be physically, Brown’s view on it is positive.

“Everything just kind of lined up. It could not have lined up any more perfect,” said Brown.

Elections for city council are traditionally held in May but this year, for the first time, they were pushed back to November, giving Brown just enough time to graduate and start campaigning.

“Then the position that I’m open for, the guy in the position is term limiting out so there will be an open seat,” said Brown.

Brown explained a city councilor can serve three two-year terms in one position on the council and 10 years total on council.

Tim Ingle, the city councilor for district 4 is on his third term and term limiting out. Ingle is running for mayor.

So a seat opens up, elections are moved back and Brown had time to develop a campaign.

Tyler Garcia, political science senior and intern for Brown’s campaign said, “Jesse was born a leader and not only is he prepared to help lead the city and his district to bigger and better things, he is also prepared to make the hard decisions and stand up for what is right for the city and fellow Wichitans.”

Garcia and Brown have known each other for four years now and have lead together in Kappa Alpha Order.

“I’m not attracted to the politics, I’m attracted to the service,” said Brown. His intentions aren’t to make a career out being a politician.

“I hate the term ‘politician,’ I prefer the term ‘statesman.’ That’s what it’s supposed to be. A politician, that’s not supposed to be a career. You’re supposed to have your private career and if the people need your help, you put your personal career on hold to go serve the people. Then when you’re done serving, you come home and you continue where you left off. That’s the essence of how our political system was built. George Washington was the perfect example of that, he wanted to be left alone, just at his house but they asked him to serve. He came and served, and when he was done he went right back and I like that,” said Brown.

Stewart Harvey, a Kappa Alpha Order fraternity member and mentor of Brown, says that since day one of knowing Brown, “He was deliberate, thoughtful, weighing in his commitment and possessing an unusual amount of quiet self confidence which I came to know stemmed from his faith and values system.”

Brown also said a primary need for Wichita Falls is to be updated to boost economic growth.

“There’s issues with infrastructure decay but if we don’t have any growth and sales dollars in property tax and money coming in, we can’t really fix it, so it really boils down to economic growth,” said Brown.

“We have to have some kind of economic growth in the city with bringing in new businesses or growing

the population and that boils down to downtown.”

Downtown Wichita Falls has the potential to thrive, but it needs a little help getting there.

“It can’t just be centered around one thing. That one thing goes down, the whole city goes down and that’s why we have to try to diversify but not lose quality in our diversification,” said Brown.

Brown distinguished other areas that could use improvement and could lead to the largest output for economic growth: Lake Wichita, Sheppard Air Force Base, MSU, United Regional Hospital, and Vernon College.

“Jesse is the most approachable person I have met. I personally feel he will use that to help the community with issues it faces and will face in the future to make Wichita Falls a destination city in North Texas,” said Garcia.

Harvey said he is confident Brown will initiate change and will work hard his whole term.

“Jesse knows that change for the sake of change is not necessarily wise nor is it warranted. He will look at each issue or task in proper context and challenge the status quo to explore the opportunity cost of change or shift and if it meets or will meet the needs of the constituency he serves,” said Harvey.

“I will never be the smartest person in any room, (but) I take pride in being the hardest-working.

That’s something I can control. I can’t control how God has gifted me with intelligence or wisdom, but I can control how hard I work and leaving everything on the table,” Brown said.

PHOTO BY IZZIEL LATOUR

Jessie Brown, graduate student, watches results come in election night at the Wichita Falls Country Club.

6B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

S T U D E N T D E B AT E

‘The debate was a great show’ CHRIS NORRIE REPORTER

T

wo students, one representing the Republican ideals, and one representing the Democratic ideals, faced off in a crash of hot topics about the nation’s political issues in Dillard 101. The debate had a representative of the Democrats and Republicans. The two students answered a range of questions in our country and give their personal views on several different issues facing our society today. The two debaters were Manny Hoffmann, political science junior, on the Republican side, and Marco Torres, history senior, on the Democratic side.

There were more than 70 people in attendance on Wednesday night.

Republicans dominated the attendance with 39 percent, followed by Democrats at 24 percent, people who weren’t going to vote 22 percent and undecided a week before the election 15 percent. And they came for different reasons: to support their friends, for class credit or to become educated on the issues in the election.

“I’m actually undecided on who to vote for, I know I want to vote I saw fliers around Dillard hall for this event and it sounded promising to go to. If it wasn’t for the fliers I probably would’ve known about the debate,” Bill Ash, accounting finance junior, said.

Whether if it was from social media, ads, or peers, people attending the university were aware of the event.

"My friends and I are all in the same fraternity including Manny, so we all came here to show him our support. It will be interesting to hear Manny talk because he has Liberal views outside of school," said Hayden Lewis nursing junior.

The debate started around 7 p.m. and lasted a little over an hour. The debate consisted of 13 questions with four additional questions ranging from education to gay marriage. Deron Molen of KFDX was the moderator

39% Republicans

of Wednesday night’s event. Some students came with clear indication of who they were voting for, Wednesday night’s debate didn’t do much to change the audience’s opinion.

“The debate didn’t change any of my thoughts or beliefs I’m hard rooted in my political views, it’s tough for me to sway one way or the other.

I did agree on some issues that were explained up there, but nothing to change my opinion. It was one sided more me, I have grown up in Texas my whole life and I’ve always been raised one way," said Aaron Benton management and information systems senior.

Benton grew up with a conservative background in Texas, and he said the conservative's have been ruling the polls before Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

"Basically, all my family are conservative so it’s important to my family we share the same political values. There were a few things that caught me off a bit that I’ve haven’t heard and maybe I will think about, but there was nothing dramatic that would change my party or the understanding I had for politics," said Benton.

Some of the audience were already sold on the Democratic values and were not going to let the debate change what they believed.

“I enjoy watching and listening to politicians. Marco and Manny were fun to listen to tonight, but I have already made up my mind of who I think should be our next president. I come from a different country, so it’s important that I support Hillary because she supports immigration and that everyone should have the chance to live the America dream," said Newman Wong, research analyst.

Most countries do not get the same benefits as getting the right to have a say for the country as Americans. The Democratic party give immigrants the chance to become American citizens. They tend to give more support to immigration in America to give people the chance to live a good life

in the States.

“I feel I would be going against myself and my family if I voted for Trump. People like Hillary have made my experience in America possible, it wouldn’t be far for them for me to vote against them,” Wong said.

Both students are enrolled fulltime planning to work in the field of politics. Manny is an active member of the Student Government Association and Marco is also an active member of the Student Government Association. The audience’s expectations of these students were set high.

“Marco didn’t exceed my expectations tonight. He should have gave more of a constant presentation in general. Marco had some good point of views, but I don’t think he represented the Democratic party as well as he could have. I saw him agree too much with Manny about certain views, and he wasn’t that great of a spokesperson,” Wong said.

Wong expressed his disappointment in Torres' attitude and projection of the Democratic party.

"Marco is our representative of the Democratic party for our university, and it didn’t seem that way tonight. I wished he would have supported our party more. It didn’t seem as if he was

24% Democrats

DEBATE ATTENDEES

very supportive. The way you present yourself is important too, Marco should have worn at least a suit and tie,” Wong said.

In other cases, members of the audience were pleased with how Manny represented the Republican Party.

“Manny over exceeded my expectations tonight, and defiantly performed well up there. He came up with some good answers. He looked confident in what he was saying, and he looked like he did his homework before. Overall the debate was a great show, I had a good time listening to both sides. I’m happy I came,” Benton said.

The audience hoped to have all the questions answered as clear and straight forward as possible. They thought for the most the part, the students answered the questions well.

“I would probably say jobs for both they seemed discrete a bit, unemployed jobs are big issue in America.

There were a few questions brought up from the category, I thought it could have been better answered that still I feel unclear about. I don’t think they spend enough time of the issue tonight probably could have went a little more in depth," Benton said.

16% Undecided voters

PHOTO BY IZZIEL LATOUR

About 70 people attended the student debate in Dillard College of Business Administration Nov. 2.

| Nov. 9, 2016 | 7B

S T U D E N T D E B AT E

PHOTOS BY IZZIEL LATOUR

Charles Kabangu, nursing senior | KFDX morning news anchor, Deron Molen, debate moderator | Jacob Simpson, education sophomore and Texas Powers, computer science sophomore | Dylan Franz Hall, mass communication sophomore | Christopher Cruz, theater performance sophomore | Cooper Miller, mass communication senior and debate coordinator

Student debaters elaborate, clarify party positions DYLAN HALL REPORTER

I

t wasn’t CNN’s fourth presidential nominee epic showdown between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, nor did it garner more than 500 students on campus to watch in awe . It didn’t even fill the compact Dillard 101 classroom to capacity. However, Wednesday’s student debate between Democratic representative Marco Torres and Republican representative Manny Hoffmann was a special occurrence as it was the only student political debate held on campus this year.

“I saw this as a great opportunity for me to elaborate on and clarify the Republican’s party platform’s stance against issues rather than engage in a debate about the current presidential nominees,” said Republican representative Hoffmann.

Hoffmann, a political science junior, was tightly challenged by his counterpart and friend to the left of his podium, the soft-spoken, yet MARCO TORRES excited Democratic representative DEMOCRAT Torres.

“I’m excited to take part in tonight’s debate. I wanted to do it to extend my views on the issues we are facing in today’s society to fellow college students and express the important positions the democratic party truly holds,” said Torres, a history senior.

Despite the debate lasting over one hour, right in the middle of the final game of baseball’s World Series Game 7, the two debaters expressed they both devoted little time toward preparation.

“I wanted to do it to extend my views on the issues we are facing in today’s society.”

“It hasn’t been too stressful or time-consuming at all. I just wanted to clarify that the Republican party’s platform is not necessarily Trump’s platform and that its ideals are still relevant and the best path for this country to take,” Hoffmann said.

Torres also expressed a similar position on the matter, but couldn’t help but to elaborate more on the lack of grace reflected in his casual attire.

“I didn’t spend much time preparing, I always had a firm idea of what I wanted to relay, I wish they didn’t give us the questions before-hand and I just hate dressing up. I kept telling myself, no, I can’t put on a suit and do this, it makes me uncomfortable,” Torres said, laughing.

HOT TOPICS

Moderated by KDFX morning news anchor Deron Molen, the debaters provided insight on numerous topics scarcely given to college students.

Job creation

One topic which seemed to consistently standout from the rest was the idea of more effective job creation.

Hoffmann, an Abilene native, directly expressed the Republican party’s stance on taxation and said he believes the key to more effective job creation is reducing taxation as well as creating more big businesses from which small business can develop from In contrast, Torres attempted to appeal more directly to the students in attendance and the battle they face after graduating.

Marco Torres “We have to be innovative. We have to be willing to work with the companies that left America to help us grow again. Personally I would like to tax the hell out of them but that is not the way forward.”

“A lot of students choose the wrong major and shut themselves off from other opportunities. Get involved, pave your own path and discover your passion. I used to want to be a nurse and now I want to work with students affairs and University administrators.”

Manny Hoffmann

“I just wanted to clarify that the Republican party’s platform is not necessarily Trump’s platform.”

“Private investment is an enorMANNY HOFFMANN mous factor in job creation. The big REPUBLICAN companies that have been giving jobs to people in other countries are going to have to start giving jobs to Americans. That’s the most important thing.”

“My mom is a personal trainer and my dad is a regional manager but I want to be a lawyer and although jobs are lacking, if you set a goal and work towards it you will eventually achieve it. You have to protect your dream.”

Immigration Immigration is a hot topic in Texas and Torres expressed his close relation with the issue — being children of immigrants themselves.

Continued on page 9

8B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

S T U D E N T D E B AT E

PHOTO BYIZZIEL LATOUR

Manny Hoffmann, Republican debater and political science senior, speaks about immigration policy at the Midwestern State student debate Nov. 2.

PHOTO BY IZZIEL LATOUR

Marco Torres, history senior, speaks at the student debate in Dillard College of Business Administration building, Nov. 2.

Republicans and Democrats discuss party stereotypes BRENDAN WYNNE REPORTER

Even though the race to the White House has come to an end, the issues faced by both parties aren’t going away anytime soon. Manny Hoffmann, political science junior, and Marco Torres, history senior, the two students who took the Republican and Democratic stances at the student debate, have their own thoughts on the different stereotypes faced by both political parties, and what impact they have on elections.

MANNY HOFFMANN Q: What kind of stereotypes do Republicans face?

A: “You see all the time that Republicans are the ‘anti-gay’ or ‘racist’ party, which is something Democrats have really been able to capitalize on, in this election, specifically. Especially since Republicans have as polarizing a candidate as they do right now, in Donald Trump, it really hasn’t helped them in that regard. Many times, you’ll hear Republicans be called ‘misogynistic,’ and I think those are really the main three. There’s plenty, but those are the three that I believe to be most common.”

Q: How do these stereotypes affect elections?

A: “The problem with stereotypes is that it is so easy to isolate an entire demographic. We saw it early in the election, with Donald Trump. The Hispanic community really pushed back after the mention of ‘the wall.’ By no means am I defending Donald Trump, but it just goes to show how easy it is to rally an entire community or culture against or for a certain candidate with just one word.”

Q: Do any of these stereotypes hold any truth?

Why or why not?

A: “I’d say to some degree, there’s probably truth.

I wouldn’t say the party endorses these qualities.

But individuals within the party, too often, validate it, whether they do it consciously, or not. For example, I don’t think the Republican party is necessarily ‘anti-gay,’ but all it takes is that one individual to say something and the media will capitalize, ultimately leaving that homophobic brand on the party. It reflects poorly on the party as a whole.”

Q: How do Republicans overcome these kinds of stereotypes?

A: “If you read the platform, there’s no mention of hate or hateful language. But the average American isn’t going to sit down and read the Republican platform. So, when your leading candidate is almost exemplifying these kinds of things, it’s only adding fuel to that fire. It’s only when candidates start stepping up and showing that this is not what the party’s about that they can start to form an argument against these stereotypes.”

Q: Do you think that Donald Trump personifies any of these stereotypes?

A: “In some regards, I have to say he does. He’s made his intentions with ‘the wall’ quite clear, and he’s certainly said more than a few things that can be deemed misogynistic.”

Q: What kind of stereotypes do Democrats face?

A: “I’ve heard Democrats referred to as ‘baby-killers,’ ‘tree-huggers,’ and ‘pacifists.’ I’d say that’s the main three. It doesn’t matter whether or not

you agree with another party’s policies, though. It doesn’t get us anywhere to start throwing around outdated insults.”

Q: How do these stereotypes affect elections?

A: “People need to realize that these candidates, specifically, may not do the best job of reflecting the party, as a whole. Unfortunately, so many people fail to look at the candidate as a whole.

They’d rather be able to pin certain qualities on certain parties, and that’s just not the smartest way of voting, in my opinion. People need to do their research. That’s the biggest thing.”

Q: Do any of these stereotypes hold any truth?

Why or why not?

A: “It’s no secret that Democrats tend to be prochoice, and have a vocalized concern for the environment, but I don’t think that justifies calling them ‘baby-killers’ or ‘tree-huggers.’ It’s a different opinion, and their right to have it.”

Q: How do Democrats overcome these kinds of stereotypes?

A: “It’s difficult. Just like with the Republican party, very few American citizens are going to sit down and read the party’s platform. They’d rather just be able to generalize, and until more Americans are willing to make an informed and researched decision, it’s going to remain difficult.”

Q: Do you think Hillary Clinton personifies any of these stereotypes?

A: “I really don’t think she does. Most people’s problems with Hillary come from a corruption standpoint. The dishonesty and her evasion of questions are, ultimately, what subject her to the most scrutiny.”

Q: If you had one thing to say to anyone who may be voting under the influence of any stereotypes or bias, what would you say to them?

A: “People need to understand how important their vote is. We’re picking the leader of our country, and to vote based on party affiliation or stereotype is voting blindly. If there’s anything they can do to make a more informed decision, their country would be grateful.”

Q: Who do you think will win the presidential election?

A: “It’s going to be incredibly difficult for Donald Trump to come back after some of the things he’s said and done. I think Hillary Clinton will win the election.”

| Nov. 9, 2016 | 9B

S T U D E N T D E B AT E

MARCO TORRES Q: What kind of stereotypes do Democrats face?

A: “Well, that’s an easy answer. They say we like handouts, we don’t work, and originate, predominantly, from low socioeconomic climates. And, of course, we don’t like guns. Overall, I’d have to say the worst one is that we like handouts. If people really took a look at certain policies that they’ve written off as ‘handouts,’ they’d see it’s far from it.”

Q: How do these stereotypes affect elections?

A: “They definitely affect them negatively, that’s for sure. I think, in this case, with Hillary, whenever she called Trump supporters ‘a basket of deplorables,’ I don’t think that was incredibly smart or accurate. Even as someone who voted for Hillary Clinton, I don’t think the informed voter who chooses Donald Trump is a deplorable, in any way. They’re choosing a candidate who falls more in line with their ideals than the other one, and that’s all you can do.”

Q: Do any of these stereotypes hold any truth?

Why or why not?

A: “If we’re being truthful, and going to point fingers about handouts, it applies more to the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. He’s the one who evaded taxes. Of course, though, you always have some semblance of truth with any stereotype. A bias is a bias, even it’s self-fulfilling.”

Q: How do Democrats overcome these kinds of stereotypes?

A: “We have to work really, really hard. It’s an uphill battle. We’re working twice as hard for the rights of certain communities that don’t receive the recognition they deserve from the Republican party, and that’s what we have to focus on.

All we can do is keep pushing our goals forward, and not look behind us. If that means having to deal with the name-calling and insults, then so be it. We do what we have to do.”

Q: Do you think that Hillary Clinton personifies any of these stereotypes?

A: “I don’t think so. She’s certainly not an ideal candidate, but I have to believe she’s working for the things that I care about more than Donald Trump is.”

Q: What kind of stereotypes do Republicans face?

A: “You’ll hear people claim that all Republicans are white. It may be true that the majority of the Republican support pool is white, but there are many Hispanics and African Americans that fall in line with those ideals. I don’t like it when people say that the generic Republican is the old, white male. It’s very interesting to see the new generation of Republicans, and I think that’s something to look forward to, I really do.”

Q: How do these stereotypes affect elections?

A: “Donald Trump has really dug himself a hole, there’s no debating that, but too many people are so quick to jump on certain words, that they don’t take the time to listen to the policy behind it.

We live in an age of political correctness, which is complete nonsense. Everyone’s too worried about whether or not they’ll offend someone, that nobody’s actually saying anything, and when a candidate who is very candid, like Trump is, comes along, it’s a bit of a shock to the system.”

Q: Do any of these stereotypes hold any truth?

Why or why not?

A: “Just because somebody does not agree with homosexuality does not make them homophobic.

I have some very devout, Christian friends who may not necessarily approve of the way I was born, but it doesn’t make them a bigot. They adhere to their scripture, and that’s perfectly fine.

As far as racism goes, I’m not sure there’s much one can say in defense to that. The party, itself, is not racist. You have to look at it on an individual basis.

Q: How do Republicans overcome these kinds of stereotypes?

A: “They have to work too. Like Democrats, they just have to keep pushing forward the best way they know how. All we can do, for both parties, is pick candidates that we feel best exemplify the kind of qualities that we, as a party, are comprised of. In this presidential election, I’m not sure that happened for either side.”

Q: Do you think Donald Trump personifies any of these stereotypes?

A: “Well, he’s an old, white, wealthy man. Not only do I think Donald Trump is dangerously ill-prepared to be president, but I believe he has been trying to justify hate, and that is far more dangerous than one can realize. Narrowmindedness and ignorance is a cancer, and it’s something we’re already fighting day in and day out. We don’t need a president who hinders that fight.”

Q: If you had one thing to say to anyone who may be voting under the influence of any stereotypes or bias, what would you say to them?

A: “Know why you’re voting for that candidate.

If you’re not sure, just do your research. It’s not that hard. If you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain. Take advantage of the freedoms that you have in this country. Think. Vote.”

Q: Who do you think will win the election?

A: “I think Donald Trump will win the election.

There are too many Republicans who, despite their feelings about Donald Trump, feel that they just can’t have Hillary as president.”

TORRES (D) — Hillary Clinton will win the election.

HOFFMANN (R) — Donald Trump will win the election.

Continued from page 7 Marco Torres

“Being a child of immigrants myself, deporting 11 million immigrants is not going to happen. I do believe we have a responsibility to help others since we are the greatest country on earth. I do think that immigration reform needs to happen — do we need to build a wall? No, It’s not fiscally responsible. And in case you haven’t noticed, we built tunnels underground, so it’s not going to stop us anyway.”

Hoffmann on the other hand, expressed less sympathy for those entering the country and sees them as a potential threat.

Manny Hoffmann

“There is a legal path to citizenship in this country. There should not be an issue in protecting our citizens. I understand, and Republicans understand, that it is our duty to protect the weak, but our foremost duty is to protect our citizens. If they cannot be properly vetted, then they have no place to come into our country.”

The American Dream

The American Dream is a prominent yet recently fading reality for most Americans today and both debaters expressed impactful views regarding what they believe the American dream represents.

“The American Dream is real.

It’s alive, but you have to work for it. Nothing is going to be handed to you for free.”

MARCO TORRES DEMOCRAT

Manny Hoffmann

“The American dream represents a place of freedom and worship. Our country is unique in the sense that you can decide whoever you want to be when you grow up.”

We have been plagued by mediocrity and the battle with minimum wage. It should absolutely not be a living wage, and it should be raised. Also, our country needs to realize that we are still a world superpower and its citizenry need to act accordingly, otherwise nothing else will hurt us more as a society.”

Torres agreed in part with Hoffmann and stressed part of the problem is not an outlook plagued by mediocrity, but more so a lack of equal privileges and also labeled American society today as lazy.

Marco Torres

“The American Dream is real. It’s alive, but you have to work for it. Nothing is going to be handed to you for free. My goal is to achieve my master’s in student development to help minorities and show them the American Dream is real.”

It’s kind of like some early morning classes. It’s boring, but you have to go through it to get what you want.”

Why vote for your party?

Marco Torres ( Democratic Party)

“Vote for the democratic party because we want to help you. Some of us are more privileged than others. We want to help those who are less privileged.”

“Socially my party is the best, we believe in supporting basic civil rights.”

Manny Hoffmann ( Republican Party)

“It’s not fair to start everyone out equally. The Democratic party wants to put everyone in a one size fits all model for success, and that’s not acceptable.”

“The Republic party is one where you determine your level of success or failure through.”

Words of wisdom for students Marco Torres

“Find something you’re good at, market it and make money off it.”

Manny Hoffmann

“It’s better to make small change than no change at all.”

10B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

“Nothing should be private when it comes to governing a country.”

GRACE ERILIBE PRE-MED JUNIOR

Students divided on candidates’ privacy JONATHAN BENYARKO REPORTER

B

y the end of the 19th century, U.S. Justice Louis Brandeis was already thinking about a new concept in American law — privacy, what he called “the right to be left alone.” While not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution, some amendments provide some protections.

But more than 130 years ago, no justice, Supreme Court or otherwise, could have predicted the information society so common today or the desire for citizens to know more and more about the private lives of their elected leaders, particularly candidates for president of the United States.

Mirroring national polls, students’ satisfaction with the presidential candidates shows that 47.9 percent of 305 students were very dissatisfied and 7.28 percent were very satisfied, 7.7 percent fairly satisfied, 23 percent fairly dissatisfied and 14.2 percent were neutral. And they wanted to know more about the candidates.

Grace Erilibe, pre-med junior | “Nothing should be private when it comes to governing a country. As a presidential candidate and a potential American president, candidates should have nothing to hide from the public if they are fit for presidency. Transparency is a must.”

Miriam Boateng, a graduate in clinical psychology | “If there is no constitution that legally obliges them to release personal information, then I think they have the choice to keep such information or disclose them without being chastised.”

However, not all students agree that presidential candidates have the same rights as all other citizens or even if they do have the same rights, they have other obligations to be more transparent with their actions.

MEDICAL RECORDS

Results from the political poll shows that 58 percent of the student responses show that students agree to a president having the same rights as every citizen to keep his or her medical records private while the rest 41.4 percent believe that a president should publicly release all medical information that might affect his or her ability to serve as president.

“Current health status is very different from someone’s history of medical records, and that is what we need to remember,” said Linda Veazy, associate professor of political science. “It is interesting that people have discussed Hillary’s records. We actually know a bit about her health but we know nothing about Trump’s health. I don’t think we have ever received someone’s full life history of their medical records. In general counts, we’ve made the effort to basically review or at least release their basic medical history, so we can have an idea of their health.”

Asia Kuna, international studies sophomore | “I don’t think any presidential candidate should be forced to release their medical records because their health doesn’t reflect their leadership abilities. Trump has to release his tax returns as proof that he pays his tax. We don’t want a president who cheats his own system of government.”

Luke Sanders, psychology junior | “I believe anything medical is confidential. A presidential candidate should not be forced to release his or her medical records to the public unless their mental state is being questioned, then he or she can release medical records to prove otherwise.”

Hovella Winston, marketing junior | “A presidential candidate’s medical record is not really a concern to some of us like his or her commitment to the nation. I will rather choose to know if a candidate is worthy enough to govern a country than healthy enough to govern a country.”

Marisa Idowu, nursing senior | “Is it a bad thing to know about a president’s health condition? I do not believe so. Medical records of presidential candidates should be released to the public as proof to show whether or not they are fit to run the nation.”

Dareem Antoine, student assistant, office of international services | “People should have some level of right to privacy even if they hold high political positions.”

TAX RETURNS

Every Democratic or Republican candidate for president has released his personal tax returns for the past four decades. This includes Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton and Trump’s own running mate Mike Pence who recently made public 10 years of his tax returns. And numerous media outlets have reported that pieces of returns they have been able to obtain showed Trump could have avoided paying taxes for nearly two decades.

Steve Garrison, chair and associate professor of political science, said, “There’s also federal money that goes to candidates like the conventions, campaigns and primaries. The fact that they are receiving the money from the federal government at least warrants the idea that maybe we might need to put more legal strength behind them releasing tax returns.”

Veazy also thinks that the tax returns are more important affairs because they give a lot of insight into campaigns and into candidates and it is a great way to fact check information and that is one of the reasons why candidates have a tradition of giving them.

“It’s been a tradition since Nixon that presidential candidates release all of their tax returns,” Veazy added. “So basically, this means that Donald Trump is the first presidential candidate in a very long time who has not released his tax returns.”

Larissa Kankam, nursing junior | “I do not see how a person can rule with integrity if transparency is a hard subject for them. If there is nothing to hide, a presidential candidate shouldn’t be hesitant to provide basic information to the public. Trump should release his tax returns to the public. It should not be much of a big deal especially when the question is crucial in a life changing situation as this.”

Mercy Riaro, nursing senior | “Hillary Clinton emails should be let out to the public, I believe it is a matter of national security and much seriousness should be put into revealing what contents and persons involved. It should not be much of an issue if there is nothing to keep from the people of America.”

A president should publicly release all medical information that might affect his or her ability to serve as president.

A president should have the same rights as every citizen to keep his or her medical records private.

WHICH COMES CLOSER TO YOUR VIEW? N=175 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

42%

58%

| Nov. 9, 2016 | 11B

Hillary Clinton first female on major party ticket Clinton, and maybe that’s true, but that’s not the candidate we have.”

Arumugam said Clinton was a better candidate than Dont first happened in 1872, but not without controversy, when Victoria Woodhull became the first female to run for ald Trump, republican presidential nominee.

“She knows what she’s doing. Aside from her political expepresident of the United States. It took almost another 140 years for a female to reach the top of a major party presidential rience, she is generally better with people besides Trump supticket and to become the first female at the top of a major party porters straight up hating her,” Arumugam said. “The Republican National Convention made her out like a demon, and ticket.

“The first female president. We’ve never had that before. yes, she’s done bad things, but that’s a politician; they have People having been fighting for this exactly. It’s a huge step,” to make bad decisions to learn from it. Donald Trump is way scarier.”

Eric Arumugam, criminal justice junior, said.

However, Dodson said Clinton was the scarier option.

Linda Veazey, political science associate professor, “She’s great at telling people what they want to hear. Her teaches a women and gender studies class and she said having stance on policies changes based on current events and what a female president would help advance America.

“The U.S., among our peer countries actually lags behind in is trending in society,” Dodson said. “She’s a manipulator and female leadership, and also women’s representation is govern- a liar.”

Arumugam said women voted for Clinton because of dement in general,” Veazey said.

Veazey said having a female president will send a positive rogatory comments made by Trump. “[Trump’s comments] really pushed women towards Hillmessage to the youth of the country 168 years after 100 women and men signed the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments ary, realizing that Trump isn’t out to help women, Trump isn’t out to help people of color, and that’s huge,” Arumugam said. at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.

However, Veazey said the voting trends cannot be pinpoint“For young women and men, it sends the message that it’s possible. It’s easy to say that anyone can grow up to be presi- ed to a single reason.

“Female voters have tended to prefer democratic candidates dent, it’s easy to say that men and women can be president, but whenever you haven’t had one example [of a female presi- in elections,” Veazey said. “There are a lot of variables. Is it because she’s a female candidate? Is it because of dent], it’s not really clear that it is possible,” her political stances? Is it because of the stances Veazey said. “The symbolism is important.” of her opposing candidate, Donald Trump? I’m Arumugam also said symbolism is imporsure that’s something that political scientists tant. He said this will give women interest to will study in the future, but at the moment we reach their goals. don’t have enough information to fully know.”

“I understand there are women who are opThere are people who say that Clinton should posed to her, but the symbolism behind Hillnot be the first female president. ary being president is huge,” Arumugam said.

“She does not represent women well,” Dod“There are girls who are often suppressed for son said. their interests. It gives give them that interest Walton agreed. to reach a higher goal.”

“I can’t speak for all women but I personally However, there have been mixed opinions don’t tend to violate federal laws, use corrupt about Clinton becoming the first female presipolitical favors and blatantly lie to escape the dent in the nation’s history.

LINDA VEAZEY consequences,” Walton said.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR “I feel nauseous,” Laramie Walton, poVeazey, a self-proclaimed feminist, said Clinlitical science sophomore, said. “Hillary Clinton has proven, through her actions in the Benghazi at- ton does not need to be representative of all women.

“It’s not fair to ask any one person to represent an entire tacks and other political stances, that she doesn’t understand or respect the most important right: the right to life. If she or gender,” Veazey said. “It would be a mistake to think that Hillany other person can’t get that first issue right, I wouldn’t trust ary Clinton embodies everything a female president should be. That’s not how we typically think about male candidates. them to look out for any of my other rights or interests.”

Denzel Dodson, sports and leisure/business man- We didn’t ask if Donald Trump represents men well.”

There have been people who have said females are too emoagement senior, said he does not trust Clinton either.

“I feel that [Clinton] should be locked up in prison for the tional to be president. Veazey disagreed.

“I would say that’s a stereotype. It’s not a good idea to base whole Benghazi and Andrew Weiner email scandals,” Dodson decisions on presidency or hiring or anything else on stereosaid. types because they’re distortions, they’re gross generalizaArumugam said the email scandal is irrelevant.

“I know there are many issues with [Clinton],” Arumugam tions,” Veazey said.

Dodson said he did not want to make the election about said. “It’s kind of a big that she lied [about the emails], but it’s gender. not directly affecting how we operate as a country.”

“Personally, I don’t care whether the president is a female Veazey said she recognizes the controversy surrounding the or not,” Dodson said. “The president should be chosen based Clinton campaign.

“There have been a lot of different opinions on Hillary Clin- off of their own morals, values, and what they will do to make ton as a candidate,” Veazey said. “There are a lot of people who our country better.” think it would be nice if it was someone other than Hillary KELSEY PURCELL REPORTER

I

“For young women and men, it sends the message that it’s possible. The symbolism is important.”

Victoria Woodhull

FEMALE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES 1872 1884 1888 1940 1952

1968 1972

1976 1980

1984

1988

1992

1996

2000

2004 2008

2012

2016

Victoria Woodhull Belva Ann Lockwood Belva Ann Lockwood Gracie Allen Ellen Linea W. Jensen Mary Kennery Agnes Waters Charlene Mitchell Linda Jenness Evelyn Reed Margaret Wright Ellen McCormack Maureen Smith Deirdre Griswold Sonia Johnson Gavrielle Holmes Lenora Fulani Willa Kenoyer Lenora Fulani Helen Halyard Isabell Masters Gloria La Riva Monica Moorehead Marsha Feinland Mary Cal Hollis Diane Beall Templin Isabell Masters Monica Moorehead Cathy Gordon Brown Diane Beall Templin Cynthia McKinney Gloria La Riva Diane Beall Templin Jill Stein Roseanne Barr Peta Lindsay Hillary Clinton Jill Stein Gloria La Riva Alyson Kennedy Monica Moorehead

Equal Rights Party National Equal Rights Party National Equal Rights Party Surprise Party Washington Peace Party American Party American Woman’s Party Communist Party Socialist Workers Party Socialist Workers Party People’s Party Right to Life Party Peace and Freedom Party Workers World Party Citizens Party Workers World Party New Alliance Party Socialist Party, Liberty Union New Alliance Party Socialist Equality Party Looking Back Party Workers World Party Workers World Party Peace and Freedom Party Socialist Party, Liberty Union The American Party Looking Back Party Workers World Party Independent The American Party Green Party Party for Socialism and Liberation The American Party Green Party Peace and Freedom Party Party for Socialism and Liberation Democratic Party Green Party Party for Socialism and Liberation Socialist Workers Party Workers World Party

12B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

Race relations tops list of student concerns

ALYSSA MITCHELL REPORTER

F

orty-five percent of African American and Hispanic college students believe race relations are the biggest problem facing the nation.

Kelechi Ejekam, education technology senior, said, “The system is broken. It’s not just the upcoming election it’s the whole country. Hillary Clinton tried to win the minority vote but we saw through her facade.”

In the student poll, Donald Trump leads 39 percent to Clinton’s 29 percent. Out of the 174 respondents in the poll, 60 people were minority and 30 people were African American. Even though Ejekam said the country has seen through Clinton, the campus poll showed that Clinton was leading with 42 percent of non-white votes.

One black student on campus said she feels she has been discriminated against.

Julia Lucas, early education sophomore, said, “I have been discriminated against by many people who think that I am uneducated because of my skin color.”

The two leading presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, have shown all they can when it comes to their campaigning. Donald Trump has been seen to most of the American people including the African American community as a racist. He has on more than one occasion shown discrimination towards African Americans, Mexicans and various other races; he has called Mexicans murderers and rapists and he has also used the term “thugs” to refer to African Americans. On one occasion Trump refereed to African Americans as “uneducated.”

Trump called out to African Americans to gain votes in August and said, “You’re living in poverty.

Your schools are no good. You have no jobs. Fifty-

ALL STUDENTS RACE RELATIONS / RACISM (31%)

eight percent of your youth is unemployed. What the hell do you have to lose?”

A few examples of the discrimination facing African Americans are being thought of as an uneducated person because of skin color or having an opinion forced on you by someone else. Black students have faced discrimination in various ways.

Addrian Gaut, theater junior, agreed and said, “When I was in fifth grade my teacher made me read a book because it was about a black boy.”

Kierian Hunter, math sophomore, said she has not experienced discrimination before. She also does not care about the election or the candidates.

Hunter said, “I am oblivious to the whole election. I didn’t even know who the candidates were until about a month ago.”

Charles Callier, radiation technology freshman, said, “I feel like my vote doesn’t matter, the police are going to do what they want regardless of who is in office, our leaders don’t really know about the people they are responsible for because they have never walked in our shoes, how is anyone effectively going to lead a population of people they don’t know about? It is impossible.”

The only thing Hunter said she hopes to get out of this election is someone who won’t destroy foreign relations.

Hunter said, “A fear that I have would be for someone to take office and completely mess up everything. For example, foreign relations or someone who is not serious about doing what they can for the good of the nation or even the world.”

Students said being the president is maintaining those relationships and with other nations across the world.

DJ Wilkerson, biology sophomore, said, “If you kick out the foreigners then the only people left

WHITE STUDENTS RACE RELATIONS / RACISM (22%)

ALL STUDENTS THE ECONOMY (13%)

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM FACING THIS COUNTRY TODAY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM FACING THIS COUNTRY TODAY.

N=175 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

N=107 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

won’t want to do the labor they see as beneath them.

You also lose part of the identity of the what this country is, we are all a part of it. The strategy of deporting Hispanics is in part them trying to isolate the African Americans. They believe that if they don’t isolate us that we will ban together under the cause of the civil rights movement.”

Others felt that a president can’t be racist to his own people.

Hunter said, “If a president is racist towards the people of his country, how is he going to be able to maintain a proper relationship with another nation where he is racist towards their people? They wouldn’t want anything to do with him and the relationship between the countries would suffer.”

Some people believe that nothing can be done to overcome the fear of discrimination.

Hunter said, “Nothing, right? All that bullshit about my opinion matters, yet I haven’t seen very many people that walk in shoes similar to mine be heard.”

Most people interviewed plan on voting to get their opinion across.

Lucas said, “I plan to get more people to vote for Hillary by voting for her myself.”

Gaut agreed and said, “To me both of them are bad for America, and have more cons than pros, but I feel like Hillary will do a better job than Trump. Getting as many people to vote as possible will help keep him out of office.”

Hunter disagreed and said, “Honestly I’m not going to vote since it seems that no one wants to vote for either one of these candidates.”

Additional reporting by Orlando Fierro

NON-WHITE STUDENTS RACE RELATIONS / RACISM (46%) WHITE STUDENTS ETHICS/MORALS (18%)

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM FACING THIS COUNTRY TODAY. N=61 NON-WHITE MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

ALL CATEGORIES FOR ALL STUDENTS: Economy (13%), Dissatisfaction with government (7%), unemployment/jobs (5%), election/election reform (4%), race relations/racism (31%), immigration (4%), terrorism (7%), national security (3%), ethics/morals (14%)

| Nov. 9, 2016 | 13B

Build a wall?

No way, students say STEPHEN GOMEZ REPORTER

“W

e have to build a wall, folks.” Donald Trump, presidential candidate, said. “We have to build a wall.”

Students disagree.

Mass deportation of illegal immigrants. No way, Jose.

Give immigrants a chance to become legal citizens. Students are all for it.

However a survey of students showed that immigration was not the most important problem in America. Ranking in ninth place out of 10 barely above national security, by 1.53 percent, and below the election/election reforms, by 1.06 percent.

“It’s more of a joke between the two (candidates),” Jeffery Hamon, exercise psychology sophomore, said. “We have other things wrong in our country that we should fix first than immigration.”

Others share by his view.

“The candidates are not trying to solve the problem but set attention on themselves.” | Dillion Morrison, social work freshman “It’s for publicity, who can yell the loudest and make themselves look better.” | Braeden Alves, mechanical engineering freshman “Immigration not really a problem. We’ve always had immigrants, we made America with immigrants.” | Nelson Alvarenga, exercise psychology junior Though immigration is not considered the most important problem facing Americans today, talk of new immigration policies by both candidates are considered by voters as shown in CNN’s coverage of Donald Trump’s speech in Dallas on Sept. 14, 2015. The U.S.-Mexico land border is 1,989 miles stretching from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas. More than 50 percent of students oppose building a wall between the United States-Mexico border. Morrison compared the wall to the Great Wall of China which was used to close people out. Rosaria Jones, nursing freshman, opposed the wall saying there’s always a way around any wall.

“It will be expensive to build a wall,” Alec John, environmental science sophomore, said. “Why not increase border control and security personnel?”

Another choice for what to do with illegal immigrants was to deport all illegal immigrants back to their home countries. Students answered with more than 50 percent opposing the thought. Alves does not consider it practical, because of how integrated the economy is with illegal immigrants. John gave an example that even though they may be living here illegally their homeland might be in a situation unstable for them to live with.

“We are becoming more united and more mix,” Jones said. “If you deport these people then you are getting rid of a part of America.”

Students also considered allowing illegal immigrants living in the U.S. a chance to become citizens if they meet certain requirements over a period of time. This was strongly favored by survey takers with 79.38 percent agreeing.

Alvarenga said if they been in the country long enough to know the language they’re basically a U.S. citizen already.

Making the test easier for immigrants is a proposal from Hamon, saying they have to know more about America than most Americans do.

“They are more American than someone who just came over,” Alves said. “As far as I’m concerned they are apart of the U.S., even if they are not on paper.”

Others also agree: • “If immigrants are not selling drugs or murdering people then you should give them a chance.” | John • “It’s the way America is. It’s giving immigrants the freedom to choose their lives; we can’t deny their right to have a chance to live in America.” | Morrison • “Everyone should have a equal chance to a better life.” | Jones But the options to solve the perceived immigration problem didn’t stop there. A common solution that John, Alvarenga, and Hamon suggested was that the government look at where most of the immigrants come from and help the country become safer so the immigrants can go home.

Morrison considered lowering the fees applied to the process of citizenship and make the test harder since most people don’t have a lot of money to spare.

“There should be a grace period of x amount of time to take the test and get it done,” Alves said. “If they don’t take it then they should be deported.”

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 defines an illegal immigrant as a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States. Immigration is divided into four government agencies: the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Each agencies are part of the Department of Homeland Security.

The USCIS was created in 2003 and has the power to deny or authorize admission into the U.S. The USCIS also processes all immigrant and non-immigrant benefits including family-base petitions, employment-base petitions, asylum and refugee processing, naturalization. The ICE is the law enforcement agency which has the authority over illegal immigrant detention and removal.

There are ways for immigrants to become legal citizens.

One way is to be married to a national-born citizen for five years and petition for a non resident legal alien card, a pink colored card. Another way is a job petition for the immigrant done mostly due to the skills the immigrant has that the company wants. After getting a pink card they can then apply for a permanent resident alien card better known as a green card. Each card process cost fees and require forms to be filled out.

Once immigrants are U.S. citizens they can petition for their mother, father, and any sibling they have. However this does not apply for any children, spouse, aunts or uncles, friends, etc. The test required to become a citizen involve the need to write, speak, read and understand the English language. They are required to have an interview with an immigration officer where they answer questions about U.S. history, politics and more. They are also required to pledge their allegiance to the flag in a ceremony officially welcoming them as U.S. citizens.

PHOTO COURTESY GAGE SKIDMORE

Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Oct. 29.

“I will build a great wall — and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me — and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”

DONALD TRUMP REPUBLICAN NOMINEE

Favor 80% Oppose 61%

Oppose 53% Favor 37%

Favor 30% Oppose 14%

Deporting all immigrants who are living in the United States illegally back to their home country.

Building a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border.

Allowing immigrants living in the U.S. illegally the chance to become U.S. citizens if they meet certain requirements over a period of time.

DO YOU FAVOR OR OPPOSE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS? N=174 MWSU LIKELY, REGISTERED STUDENT VOTERS

14B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

JEANETTE PERRY REPORTER

International view: America overlooks choice

F

rom the Caribbean Islands to Sri Lanka. From India to Zimbabwe. International students at Midwestern represent 54 countries, and many come from countries with different backgrounds but the common opinion that they share is that we should be happy that we have choice, even if we do not like the choices we’ve been given. While the International students that represent 9.8 percent of the student population on campus cannot vote in the national election, they have unique views of our country, and our election process.

In the Caribbean Islands for example, citizens follow European models of government, from the Westminster parliamentary system in the United Kingdom to representative democracy like the United States.

Donna-Lisa Nelson, biology senior, is from St. Lucia and they follow the Westminster system.

Nelson said, “We mirror the Westminster system so we have a bicameral parliament where you have the House of Representatives and the House of Senate.”

Antigua and Barbuda also follow the Westminster system.

“Every five years we elect a parliamentary representative for each district and based on who gets the most seats in parliament that would determine their leader becoming the Prime Minister,” Esther Edwards, computer science senior, said.

“So indirectly as you vote for your parliamentary representative, you are actually deciding on the Prime Minister as well.”

Not all Caribbean Islands follow the same system. Grenada is a Democracy.

Dareem Antoine, economics and math senior, said, “Grenada is a democratic state so we have a government that has been elected. Our electoral process runs every five years.”

Rohan Jagbab, health services graduate student, is from India. There, elections occur every four years and they have many political parties.

“We have many parties but there are five major parties in India and there are many sub-parties all over the state so it is quite different from here [United States],” Jagbab said.

With the countries represented you have different forms of government that influence how International students view our country. They have varying knowledge of our system and how it works.

United States federal presidential republic

“Honestly, I have only been here for one and a half years now, so I have a general idea of what’s going on but nothing in depth,” Shehan Skarunaratne, accounting junior, said. “I know about the candidates, who they are, in general what their key political policies are.”

Some have learned through their course studies about the United States government.

“It was very interesting learning about it in my American Government class, because it’s very difficult to what we were expecting and I’m not even sure I know fully what the structure is, but I’m beginning to understand especially with the primaries and then being able to select a candidate that will be the front-runner for each party and it was interesting to see how the debates are structured,” Nelson said. “Back in St. Lucia we wouldn’t have such structured debates.”

The debates met with mixed reviews.

“I tried, I really tried. I tried to watch one but I think I lost a few brain cells along the way. It felt that way,” Edwards said. “I was befuddled.”

Antoine said he watched the third debate and felt it was the closest to an actual debate.

“I actually watched the debate last night. It was a pretty good one I must say. The debates honestly, from what I’ve seen, were a little bit one-sided,” Antoine said. “I will say the most recent one [third debate] was probably the closest to an actual debate of Presidential stature.”

International students have very interesting opinions on both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

“So Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, obviously two different ends of the spectrum. It’s basically choosing the lesser of the two devils because, in my opinion, they both have really big flaws,” Denise Mugabe, marketing senior from Zimbabwe, said. “Hillary Clinton, with her going back to Benghazi. I know she has some things that are still murky and unclear to the public, and I feel she is not as truthful as she could be and then also we have Donald Trump who speaks the truth to a certain extent but I think the way he goes about it and the way he conducts himself does not necessarily represent the American people.”

Nelson said Clinton seems the most qualified for the job.

“I believe that Hillary Clinton, she would be very qualified in running the United States of America.

She’s been exposed to working at that level with her

Grenada parliamentary democracy

India federal parliamentary republic

position as the US Secretary of State and being the First Lady I always believe that a very good strong president has a good strong wife behind him,” Nelson said.

International students still look to the United States as a land of opportunity, and are concerned with how this election will affect them.

“The personal thing which I have, or why I came to the United States is in 2012 at the beginning of the election President Obama said something that it doesn’t matter who you are, where you came from, or what you look like. If you are willing to work hard this is your land,” Jagbab said. “I got it and I think most of the International students got it because we think if the president says that, that must be the country. In this election I didn’t see that so, if you are participant in the election it is your job to address to the world not just the American people. The whole world is watching you.”

There are things that the International community like and don’t like about our system of government.

“I like the idea that I can vote for my mayor. I can vote for who is representing me in Congress,” Edwards said. “The electoral college is a bit disturbing. I still don’t follow the electoral college. I don’t understand what is happening there.”

Nelson said more social requirements should be a prerequisite for running for president.

“If there was something I could change it would be that persons are not just required to be a citizen of the United States of America but there needs to be some kind of prerequisite in terms of community service.” Nelson said. “You would have to be active in your community. It doesn’t have to be legislative guidelines [to run for president] but it could just be social guidelines so persons know, if you’ve not done this before, you’re not an ideal candidate.”

Mugabe has a hard time understanding the opinion of those who believe the election system in the United States is rigged. She said citizens of Zimbabwe feel they live under a dictatorship masquerading as a democracy.

“I find it interesting when people say that they feel that their system is rigged because I find it hard to believe in such a systematic manner, where everything can be tracked, they need to come to my country and see, really see what a rigged election is,” Mugabe said. “We’ve had the same president for a little over 30 years.”

Sri Lanka presidential republic

Zimbabwe semi-presidential republic

| Nov. 9, 2016 | 15B

For students, national security not a pressing issue for U.S. a lot more securely and since then, what we’ve been doing is just status quo so the average American doesn’t get the ussian spies, Mexican drug smugglers, and domestic chance to see the progression that our security has as well as criminals are national security issues America faces to- the flaws that our security has. It seems as though in other day. However, students believe that national security countries bad things are happening and bigger terrorist attacks are happening and yet everybody seems to feel like is one of the least important issues facing America today.

Kevin Paniagua, exercise physiology senior, said, that wont happen here. Once again, we’re in a status quo “There are more important things to worry about in the of being acceptable on where we are at with national security without realizing how much of a threat country. We don’t really feel that threatened there is out there for us.” by anybody right now except for current doSince national security is not something mestic issues” that directly affects the American houseAccording to Hillary Clinton, 17 Amerihold, they can focus on personal issues. can intelligence agencies have confirmed This makes people take national security for that Russians are spying on Americans and granted and not care about it since there is the Russian government is encouraging Rusno direct threat. sians to continue the espionage. The averNathan Jun, associate professor of age American does not think that this is an philosophy, said, “One reason is because urgent issue. national security is not something we have Paniagua said, “The average American to deal with directly on a daily basis. To the knows that we spend a lot of money on the extent that it is a problem or a concern might military so we trust that they’ll keep us safe strike students as almost abstract or distant.” thus diminishing any doubt of safety.”

One thing that isn’t abstract or distant is Issues like domestic racism are problems racial injustice and racial tensions. that students think are more urgent than KEVIN PANIAGUA EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY SENIOR Jun said, “That’s something that we ennational security. counter presently in our everyday lives. No Francisco Martinez, criminal justice senior, said, “The major issues stem from modern day one will deny that national security is an important issue racism. The criminal justice system treats people differently but it does have less relevance to our deed of the day experidepending on their race. This all started in the past and now ence. Students do not underestimate the importance of naits coming back as it being acceptable. There’s an opposing tional security. At times the national security apparatus has exaggerated the extent to which this country is in danger view saying its not okay.”

Manuel Soto-Garcia, exercise physiology senior, from a terrorist attack. In terms of how we rank our national said, “National security is not that big of an issue because political priorities, the facts would suggest that we are safe.”

Almost no students surveyed believed that national secuwe already have the strongest army, strongest military, and strongest intelligence agencies so when it comes down to the rity is an important issue. On the other hand, a small perimportance of national security, it isn’t that important. We centage of students believe that we are not safe.

Randal Hermes, biology freshman, said, “National have all the things we need to keep us secure. What’s more important is all the progressive issues happening in the security is an important issue in America. The problem we have concerning Russia with Obama backing out of the United States right now.”

The fact is, there has been no major terror incident in the peace treaty we had with them. We neared a nuclear war United States since 9/11. There were many preventative mea- with Russia and I think that’s a bigger issue than the elecsures that were set up to prevent another terror attack like tion. I don’t think they’ve caught on to what is going on.

Things like the clown sightings and Trump’s antics are this from happening again.

Caleb Hanon, assistant director of student well- masking what is going on in [the world].” ness said, “A lot of it has to do with the delay in a terrorist attack on America since 9/11. Once 9/11 happened, it seemed we were all up in arms. We decided to protect our borders RODRIGO MIRELES REPORTER

R

“There are more important things to worry about in the country. We don’t really feel that threatened by anybody right now.”

wichitan

the

SPECIAL ISSUE

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room B103 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 • wichitan@mwsu.edu thewichitan.com • @wichitanonline

PHOTO BY ALYSSA MITCHELL

Lindsey LeBowsky, psychology freshman, colors her Electoral College map at the election watch party Tuesday night.

85 STUDENTS ATTEND WATCH PARTY The political science department sponsored an election night watch party, Nov. 8. “This is something we’ve been doing for years. We expected about 60 students and ended up having about 85 people. The biggest turn out we’ve had so far, as far as interest and students,” Steve Garrison, political science associate professor.

What advice would you give to winning president?

“Let’s not let our soldiers die, and don’t lie or hide advice. Have more respect for him/herself for our country.”| Bailey Malone, dental hygiene freshman “If Trump wins, keep his mouth shut and have more self-respect for the U.S.” | Sydne Strohl, nursing freshmen “To be honest, in order to gain our trust.” | Terria Henderson, psychology sophomore “To find a way to bring people together, because this election has separated everyone from each other.” | Linda Veazey, political science professor “Try to do what’s best for the country and don’t be selfish.”| Kennedy Turner, mechanical engineering freshmen “If it’s Trump, don’t get trigger happy. If it’s Clinton, save your emails.” | Russell Marshall, physics freshmen “Work on building a relationship with both parties, with Democratic and Republican having evenly divided votes.” | Steve Garrison, political science associate professor “Stand by your word, and always do what’s best for us and not just them. Don’t be selfish.” | Lauren Sterling, education sophomore “Don’t ruin the country most of all, we still expect a change out of whoever wins.” | Erin Richburg, education freshmen

SPECIAL SECTION EDITOR: Jacklyn York

Copyright ©2016.

PROJECT COORDINATORS: Kara McIntyre, Cooper

The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

Miller, Naomi Skinner, Samuel Sutton

STAFF: Jonathan Benyarko, Michelle Dickey, Stephen Gomez, Dylan Hall, Garrett Hutchinson, Izziel Latour, Cameron McEnturff, Rodrigo Mireles, Alyssa Mitchell, Chris Norrie, Jeanette Perry, Kelsey Purcell, Emily Simmons, Caleb Sneath, Jeromy Stacy, Brendan Wynne OTHER CONTRIBUTORS: Gage Skidmore ADVISER: Bradley Wilson

Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University.

The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

16B | Nov. 9, 2016 |

Third party candidates struggle to be recognized One-third of students consider alternative candidates

CALEB SNEATH REPORTER

A

merican voters have a dilemma. In a democratic system, a candidate requires the support of many voters to win, making it practical to vote for more popular candidates an individual doesn’t support.

Tyler Brooks, clinical laboratory science freshman, said she is voting for Democrat Hillary Clinton, come Nov. 8. However Clinton is not her favorite candidate.

“I don’t like Hillary or Trump. I kind of want to vote third party but I don’t know if it will be worth it because it will split up the votes, so I will probably just vote Hillary because I really don’t want Trump to win,” Brooks said.

This line of thinking isn’t common to all of the voters within America this year. According to the Federal Election Commission, third parties got 1.74 percent of the popular vote in the 2012 election, however the student poll showed with a margin of error of 10 percent that 31.25 percent of students polled who are likely voters are considering a third party vote, almost an eight times increase since the last election.

Zachery Nemcek, physiology sophomore, is one such third party voter.

“It might be entirely a wasted vote, but at least I know it will be somebody who I am happy with and I won’t have to be choosing between a lesser of two evils,” Nemcek said.

Nemcek is voting for Jill Stein, Green Party candidate, and feels that neither Clinton nor Donald

JILL STEIN Desires campaign finance reform Desires to improve the environment Desires marijuana legalization Desires to replace the Affordable Care Act with a universal, publicly funded single payer healthcare coverage program Desires public funding for university tuition and student debt relief Desires to reduce military intervention abroad Desires to reduce military spending Desires to raise the income tax rate for wealthy individuals

Trump, Republican Party nominee, is worth his vote.

“They aren’t campaigning. They’re showboating,” Nemcek said.

Still, not all voters are choosing to not vote for third parties this year out of a belief they have no chance to win. Marissa Lopez, athletic training and exercise physiology freshman, said she is a Trump voter who genuinely supports Trump.

“I like his ideals,” Lopez said.

Additionally, third parties face the problem of recognition. While Republicans and Democrats get enough media coverage to get their name and beliefs out, this isn’t necessarily true for third parties, who struggle just to get any media coverage.

“I don’t know a lot about the third parties,” said Lopez.

Between the lack of familiarity within the voter base and the amount of people who genuinely agree with the two mainstream parties, third parties might not be able to win an election even if fears about a vote being a waste were set aside.

Even though the polls don’t show a statistical chance for third parties to win this election, that doesn’t mean they have no impact upon the country.

Everett Kindig, professor of history, said he believes third parties serve an important role in politics without having to be elected.

“For the most way they are a hint of what may come. Most of the times they are a voice for the marginalized peoples,” Kindig said.

Although in the past there have been a few instances of a third party coming out and winning the presidency, such as when Abraham Lincoln became

GARY JOHNSON Desires to protect citizens personal and economic liberty Desires to reduce regulations Desires marijuana legalization Desires to reduce government spending and entitlement programs Desires to reduce military intervention abroad Desires to reduce military spending Desires to lower taxes

the first Republican president, Kindig said he does not think this election cycle will be the same.

In recent national polls, neither Clinton nor Trump possesses a majority, with Clinton only ahead in a plurality. But the results of this election could theoretically change if third party candidates throw their support behind Clinton or Trump.

Kindig, however, said he does not believe third parties are actually going to change the outcome of this election. Evan McMullin, independent candidate, and Gary Johnson, Libertarians nominee, draws about as many votes from the Republican party as Stein and Johnson draw from the Democrats according to Kindig.

One factor in the nonviability of third parties throughout the year is America’s Electoral College and winner-takes-all system. American voters in reality only indirectly elect who is president by giving their recommendation to the Electoral College.

That a candidate only gets more electors by winning a state means voters in a state that know their candidate is unlikely to win are discouraged from even bothering to vote at all. This affects not only third party voters as well as Democratic and Republican voters.

Danny Woodard, computer science junior, is one such voter.

“Voting for anyone that is not Republican in Texas is pointless to me. I don’t think my Democratic vote actually means anything,” Woodard said.

Additional reporting by Cameron McEnturff.

Photos courtesy Gage Skidmore

EVAN McMULLIN Desires to reduce deficit Desires to defend state rights Desires drug treatment programs Desires to reduce government spending and entitlement programs Desires to continue America’s role in international leadership Desires to improve the military and national defense Desires to lower taxes