Presidental Election
2016
Where does UP stand? OVER THE PAST WEEK, OVER 300 STUDENTS VOTED IN OUR ONLINE POLL SO WE COULD GAUGE THE POLITICAL CLIMATE OF CAMPUS.
VOTING GUIDE
11%
4%* 21%
45%
4%
Rand Paul Jonathan Davis (Korn) Phil Labonte (All That Remains)
Hillary Clinton Beyoncé Kanye West Pharrell Cher 50 Cent Katy Perry Christina Aguilera Ja Rule Ellie Goulding Snoop Dogg Morrissey Lady Gaga Jennifer Lopez Ice-T Elton John Sting Barbra Streisand Tony Bennett Jon Bon Jovi Ricky Martin Janelle Monae James Taylor Usher will.i.am Stevie Wonder Quincy Jones
Jeb Bush Toby Keith
Ben Carson Kid Rock
Bernie Sanders Killer Mike (Run the Jewels) Lil B Foster the People Red Hot Chili Peppers Vampire Weekend Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) Simon & Garfunkel Chris Shifflet (Foo Fighters) Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) Jon Fishman (Phish) Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr.) Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) Maureen Herman (Babes in Toyland) Belinda Carlisle (Go-Go’s) Billy Gould (Faith No More) Donald Trump Azealia Banks Loretta Lynn Ted Nugent
2%
10%
Bands and musicians who have endorsed candidates
As the presidential race has heated up and the candidates have had their fair share of debates, many people have chosen their respective side. And the people who get the most publicity when announcing who they agree with are usually celebrities. These celebrities are a melting pot of actors, actresses, writers and a large selection of musicians. Since musicians express their beliefs through their music, they are often among the most vocal with their opinions, and that has held true in this election. There have been benefits hosted for candidates like Clinton and Sanders where musicians have come to perform or show their support, endorsing the candidate. Here are some artists that have endorsed various candidates: Natasa Kvesic • THE BEACON
3%
Rebekah Markillie • THE BEACON
*This poll was conducted shortly before Jeb Bush announced that he was dropping out of the presidential race.
Donald Trump
Ted Cruz
Bernie Sanders
Ben Carson
Marco Rubio
Hillary Clinton
John Kasich
Jeb Bush
Why I support... BERNIE SANDERS (D)
A lot of people think Bernie supporters are naive, but Sanders isn’t a young guy. He’s been in politics for decades and he’s had the same goals and the same vision for this country throughout his entire career. When you compare him to the rest of the candidates, he’s the most consistent by far. (Donald Trump was pro-choice less than a year ago). Consistency doesn’t guarantee that Sanders’ ideas will work. Yet, when I look at Bernie as a candidate, I see a civil servant infuriated by the havoc Wall Street has caused for the working class. I see someone who has envisioned a government that works for all Americans, not just the billionaire class and has been fighting for this vision since the 1960s. Call me crazy and naive, but I want to help him achieve that. Rachel Rippetoe // sophomore
JOHN KASICH (R)
As someone who moderately identifies with the values of the Republican Party and has voted along party lines in the past, it is upsetting to see how the contenders have displayed themselves during the latest Republican presidential debates. For that reason, if I were asked to vote today I would choose Ohio Governor John Kasich, who has recently stood out among the rest of the candidates. I will continue to follow both sides of the debate until it is time to cast my final vote, however at this point, in my opinion, Kasich has the most practical experience, a respectful demeanor in the public sphere necessary for national and international support, and the ability to work with Democrats to strive for bipartisan reform. Additionally, his election would result in the least amount of backlash against the Republican Party and its brand across the nation. Mackenna Krohn // senior
HILLARY CLINTON (D)
Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate for the President of the United States. She has a resume that most candidates only dream of: she was a precedent-breaking first lady, leading the charge to expand health insurance to low-income children and standing up to China’s human rights record — all before holding elected office. As a Senator she helped to protect children from drug companies, and led the fight for equal pay. As Secretary of State, she secured a new arms reduction treaty with Russia and helped to bring Iran to the table to discuss what would become a landmark nuclear deal. Her established record of public service has taught her the difference between campaigning and governing, and she has the scars to show for it. Young people propelled one of the most consequential presidents of a generation to office in 2008. Let’s do it again. Jordan Paul // senior
MARCO RUBIO (R)
No one should place much faith in any politician, and they certainly shouldn’t expect much change after electing them; our government works to limit change and check those in power. However, our country faces both unique challenges and opportunities that our government must confront in the coming years. With this in mind, I am unabashedly supporting Marco Rubio. He is someone who can facilitate the right amount of change, appoint the best judges to federal courts, work to balance the relationship between the national and state governments and present a bright future for all Americans. Although he is not a “perfect” candidate, he has an inspiring story, a love for America and a chance to bridge the wide ideological gap in the Republican Party. Moreover, he is relatable, smart, pragmatic and committed to using our liberal American values to build on the prosperity that our country enjoys. William Gunnels // senior
2016 ELECTION
THE BEACON • FEB. 25, 2016 • UPBEACON.COM
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THE CANDIDAT WHO THEY ARE & WHERE THEY STA
Amid the booming voices of news commentators and seemingly endless think pieces, knowing each candidate’s platform can b overwhelming. We’ve compiled a cheat sheet for the confused, curious or indecisive. The highlighted issues are relevant to the w of today’s college students, and include a standout point from each candidate. R = Republican; D = Democrat. All photos are cour the State Department and Gage Skidmore. Karen Garcia & Clare Duffy • THE BEACON Design by Rebekah Markillie • THE BEACON
Ben Carson (R) >> Retired Pediatric Neurosurgeon Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Fun Fact: Carson found out as a child that his father was secretly married to another woman and had another family, an experience that he wrote about in his book. Where he stands on: • The Economy According to CNN, he said, “We’re putting ($18 trillion) on the backs of people coming behind us … If you tried to pay that back at a rate of $10 million a day, it would take you over 5,000 years.” He would like to create a Constitutional amendment that requires a yearly balanced budget, but has yet to present much of a plan as to how that balance would be accomplished. • Higher Education If elected, Carson plans to turn the Department of Education into an investigative body that would ensure that no institution of higher education was perpetuating a political bias — at the risk of losing their federal aid. • Foreign Policy In November, Carson received heat for struggling to name allies against ISIS, incorrectly asserting that China was intervening in Syria and pronouncing the name of the militant group Hamas more like the “hummus” that you’d put in your veggie wrap. This caused him to slip in the polls, lose donations and one of his advisers even called him out, telling the New York Times about their weekly calls to “make him smart.” • Right to Bear Arms “The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of our Constitution,” Carson said, according to his campaign website. “Without the right to bear arms, Americans would be unable to stand against a tyrannical government or foreign invader. The right of Americans to own and maintain legal arms is paramount, and that right should in no way be violated.”
Bernie Sanders (D) >> Senator from Vermont Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Fun Fact: When he was mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in the 1980s, Sanders inspired beat poet Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Burlington Snow.” Where he stands on: • Higher Education Sanders is strongly supportive of affirmative action, and has famously said that he wants to make tuition free at public colleges and universities. In addition, he wants to cut student loan interest rates from 4.9 percent to 2.37 percent, prevent the federal government from profiting off of student loans and allow for the refinancing of loans at low interest rates — all of which would be paid for by taxing Wall Street speculators. • The Economy Sanders strongly disagrees with the privatization of social security and lowering the corporate income tax rate, but strongly supports higher taxes on the wealthy. • Foreign Policy Throughout his career, Sanders has shown a chronic distaste toward using military force, specifically saying that the U.S. should keep in mind the mistakes made in Iraq in order to avoid making them in the future. He advocates that the U.S. take part in creating an international coalition led by Muslim nations to combat ISIS. • The Environment Sanders is strongly against the Keystone XL pipeline, Arctic and offshore drilling, fracking and exports of liquefied natural gas and crude oil. He wants to invest in clean, sustainable energy, and cut carbon pollution by taxing it. Sanders has said, “Climate change is the greatest threat facing our planet. We must act boldly.”
Donald Trump Trump Organi
Hometown: Queens, N Fun Fact: In his 1997 b germaphobe and hates s Where he stands on: • Higher Education La affirmative action: “… time. And I lived with it people.” Trump’s talk of Common Core and largel • The Economy Trump taxes on the wealthy. H brackets. • Foreign Policy Trump fields they control in Iraq, which would involve putting several tho for the U.S. to stop supporting Saudi Arabia, who he says is the big • Gun Control Trump has said that he would oppose any new gun limit the sale of any kinds of firearms. During the sixth Republican we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went dead right now.”
Marco Rubio
Hometown: Miami, Flo Fun Fact: Rubio’s favo “Godfather” trilogy. He’s his iPod. Where he stands on •Higher Education As mative action or not. He emphasize the option of • The Economy Rubio create jobs, and is again security and higher taxe • Foreign Policy Rubio both physically aggressi troops on the ground an website, Rubio said he would aim to empower rebels in Sunni natio if necessary. “(Confronting ISIS) means establishing a coordinated Arab and local partners in the region.” • Syrian Refugees Although in September 2015 Rubio said he co refugees in the U.S., but according to his campaign website he’s no in, and 999 of them are just poor people fleeing oppression and vio
2016 ELECTION
TES AND
be worries tesy of
p (R) >> President of the ization
New York, New York book “The Art of the Comeback,” Trump admitted that he’s a shaking hands, referring to the act as “barbaric” in 1999. : ate last year on “Meet the Press,” Trump voiced his views on …I’m fine with affirmative action. We’ve lived with it for a long t for a long time. And I’ve have great relationships with lots of f education has otherwise been limited to talk of ending the ly cutting funding to the Department of Education. p supports the privatization of social security and higher He also wants to reform taxes into zero, 10, 20 and 25 percent
p aims to drain ISIS of its wealth by taking control of the oil ousand ground troops in the country. Trump also says it’s time ggest funder of terrorism in the world. n control measure, and doesn’t believe that the U.S. should n debate, Trump said: “No. I am a 2nd amendment person. If t in the different direction, you wouldn’t have 14 or 15 people
(R) >> Senator from Florida
orida orite movies are “Wedding Crashers,” “Pulp Fiction” and the ’s also said he has Pitbull, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay and Eminem on
n: s of Feb. 3, Rubio has not declared whether he supports affire does, however, want to reform the accreditation system and f vocational schools as an alternative to four-year colleges. believes that lowering the corporate income tax rate helps nst the increase of federal taxes, the privatization of social es on the wealthy. o believes that in order to defeat ISIS, the approach should be ive and ideologically focused. In addition to putting American nd expanding airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, on his campaign ons to fight Assad and ISIS by providing training and weapons d political-military strategy against ISIS in tandem with Sunni
ould be “open” to the possibility of allowing some Syrian ow reversed his position. “… You can have 1,000 people come olence, but one of them is an ISIS fighter.”
THE BEACON • FEB. 25, 2016 • UPBEACON.COM
Ted Cruz (R) >> Senator from Texas Hometown: Houston, Texas (but he was born in Calgary, Canada) Fun Fact: He was a founder of the Harvard Latino Law Review. Where he stands on: • The Economy Wants to see economic growth and more jobs by creating a flat tax for all Americans and reforming regulations that he says are killing small business, including “repealing every word of Obamacare, which is just the biggest job killer in this country.” During a Republican debate, Cruz proposed auditing the Federal Reserve and returning to the gold standard, saying, “(The Fed) should get out of the business of trying to juice our economy, and simply be focused on sound money and monetary stability, ideally tied to gold.” • Education Cruz believes that improving the economy will help to create more jobs and opportunities for Americans, especially those graduating from universities. • Foreign Policy Believes that “radical Islamic terrorists” have declared war on America and wants to be the commander-in-chief to help America fight back. • The Environment Cruz does not believe that global warming is supported by data, according to CNN. “The last 15 years, there has been no recorded warming,” Cruz told CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash. “Contrary to all the theories that — that they are expounding, there should have been warming over the last 15 years. It hasn’t happened.”
John Kasich (R) >> Governor of Ohio Hometown: McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania Fun Fact: Kasich is good friends with Bono, the lead singer of U2. Where he stands on: • Higher Education In his home state of Ohio, Kasich has frozen tuition and fees increases for the next two years while a state task force helps schools control their costs. • The Economy Aims to lower income and corporate taxes, achieving the latter by ending some corporate tax breaks. He’s proposed raising consumption taxes, has proposed a state tax on fracking and strongly supports the privatization of social security. • Foreign Policy Kasich is in favor of putting American boots on the ground along with taking part of an international coalition with nations in the Middle East and Europe. In addition to this, he told NBC News that he wants to create a new federal agency tasked with promoting Western Judeo-Christian values around the world. “We need to beam messages around the world about what it means to have a Western ethic, to be a part of a Christian-Judeo society ...” he said. • Healthcare Kasich wants all healthcare regulation to be done by states, and wants to repeal Obamacare — though he did vote to expand Medicaid in Ohio. “I did expand Medicaid because I was able to bring Ohio money back home to treat the mentally ill, the drug addicted and help the working poor get health care,” he said.
Hillary Clinton (D) >> Former Secretary of State Hometown: Park Ridge, Illinois (outside of Chicago) Fun Fact: She puts hot sauce on everything Where she stands on: • The Economy “I want the middle class to mean something again…that is one of the greatest inventions of the United States,” Clinton told TheSkimm. She would like to see a revival of the middle class by raising incomes. • Education Clinton wants to make it possible for current student-loan holders to refinance, and believes in “income-contingent repayment” (paying back loans as a percentage of one’s income). She has proposed a plan, which is estimated to cost $350 billion over 10 years funded through a federal-state partnership, to reduce the cost of obtaining a degree at public colleges, provide grants to universities improving their graduation rate and restructure student loans. • Foreign Policy As Secretary of State, she worked to place tough sanctions on Iran, and she supports current Secretary of State John Kerry’s Iran Nuclear Deal. If elected commander-in-chief, she plans to be tough on enforcing the deal’s stipulations. In opposition to ISIS, she does believe there is a threat to be confronted, but not by putting American troops on the ground. • Healthcare “I’m very proud of the Affordable Care Act and what it has accomplished ... but I think we have to do more,” Clinton told TheSkimm. She wants to better address the cost of healthcare and follow through on Obamacare’s promise to help those struggling with mental health issues.
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Very important voter information How to register to vote in Oregon You must be at least 17 years old, but you can’t vote until you’re 18 years old. And you must be an Oregon resident. Register in person at a your local county elections office or online at My Voter Portal with either a current Oregon driver’s license or non-driver ID or register by mail.
Primary election dates
Midterm elections
WASHINGTON DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
On Nov. 8, a total of 469 seats — 435 in the House and 34 in the Senate — are up for election. With the recent death of Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate elections this year are especially important: at least 60 votes are required to confirm a new Supreme Court Justice. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Republican-controlled Senate will deny any nominee chosen by President Obama, meaning that confirmation will be left up to the newly elected Senate in 2017.
OREGON PRIMARY
Washington
Oregon
California
Senate: Patty Murray ((D), incumbent), Chris Vance (R)
Senate: Kevin Stine (D), Ron Wyden ((D), incumbent), Mark Callahan (R), Dan Laschober (R), Faye Stewart (R)
Senate: Kamala Harris (D), Loretta Sanchez (D), Tom Del Beccaro (R), Duf Sundheim (R)
Saturday, March 26 closed primary >> 118 delegates
Tuesday, May 17 closed primary >> 118 (D) and 28 (R) delegates
WASHINGTON REPUBLICAN CAUCUS Tuesday, May 28 closed primary >> 44 delegates
CALIFORNIA PRIMARY
Tuesday, June 7 mixed primary >> 546 (D) and 172 (R) delegates
Remember to vote! Candidates try to capture the youth vote By Melissa Aguilar THE BEACON A sports drink with a cozy emblazoned with the words “More like Chillary Clinton amirite?” makes a shaky appearance before transitioning to an up-close shot of Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “I’m chilling in Cedar Rapids,” the presidential hopeful says, smiling into the camera. This is one of Clinton’s snaps on the social media app Snapchat. That kind attempt to win over young voters is either met with cheers of “yaaasss, queen” but is more likely dismissed with an eyeroll. “I’ve heard kind of that some people think that Hillary’s kind of acting a little, like trying to be cool for the kids,” freshman and first-time voter Tayler Bradley said. Young democratic voters continually turn out in droves for Clinton’s democratic rival, and most liberal presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders captured 82 percent of the vote among those aged 17-29 in the Nevada Caucus according to exit polls by NBC. Meanwhile former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the clear majority of voters over 45. Democratic candidates aren’t the only ones trying to convince young voters via
social media. Republican candidate Sen. Ted Cruz also tried to harness the power of Snapchat, setting up a geofilter of a duck with a swooshy hairdo. “Where’s ducking Donald?” the filter asked, making a dig at fellow Republican candidate Donald Trump for not showing up to the debate a few days earlier. Cruz barely beat out Sen. Marco Rubio and Donald Trump for the youth vote, according to CNN. Yet for all their campaigning, 51 percent of Millennials identify with, or lean toward the Democratic Party according to a study by Pew Research Center. So there must be something more than just fun 10 second videos or 140 character tweets that are getting young voters involved. Political science professor Gary Malecha said young people are worried about the economy, particularly as it relates to their futures. “A lot of young people believe the government’s been corrupted, politics have been corrupted by too much money in the political process,” Malecha said “I certainly think that the message that Sen. Sanders provides to voters that there’s too much money and there’s too much influence being played by certain groups — maybe Wall Street — has
resonated with young people.” In order for young people to feel like they have a chance in such a competitive economy, more and more of them seek out higher education. And Sanders’ plan to make public colleges and universities free sounds like a great deal to college aged-voters already drowning in student loan debt. Clinton has rolled out a similar plan, which promises that students attending public universities won’t have to borrow to finance their education. “I certainly think that (students) need to be careful in terms of their interpretation with regards to these plans, in terms of the economic viability,” Malecha said. “I think they need to give them careful examination, in terms of what their overall effect would be.” Though it may be fun to get caught up in who Lena Dunham is designing sweaters for or which candidate “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson thinks can kill and serve up a duck for gumbo, Malecha encourages young people to get out and vote. “A lot of students find that government isn’t going to be responsive or believe that government’s not going to be responsive to their interests,” Malecha said “But that really generates a problem because if you don’t vote, then politicians
don’t listen to people who (don’t) vote. That’s why I always encourage people to get involved in the political process, to make sure that their
Lydia Laythe • THE BEACON
voices are heard, and make sure that they’re listened to.” Copy Editor Melissa Aguilar at aguilarm16@up.edu.