Groups take different paths to primaries
By Helen Yim
June 1, 2006 9:00 p.m.
In preparation for the upcoming Democratic primary election,
UCLA students are looking to directly engage the student body in
the election process.
Some students have been campaigning for State Treasurer Phil
Angelides, targeting the student population, while others are
supporting State Controller Steve Westly and have worked directly
with the candidate’s campaign.
Westly and Angelides, the two top contenders in the Democratic
June 6 election, “are neck-to-neck,” according to a Los
Angeles Times poll released last week. The winner of the primary
will go on to compete with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the
governor’s office on November 7.
Three students interning at Westly’s office have spent
some time campaigning on campus and helped organize for
Westly’s wife to speak on campus last Wednesday.
The Bruin Democrats, on the other hand, have opted to take a
“grassroots approach” to campaigning for Angelides,
focusing directly on students rather than working for
Angelides’ office, said Jesse Melgar, Bruin Democrats media
relations director.
In the final days leading up to the election this Tuesday, Bruin
Democrats plan to continue campaigning on Bruin Walk, calling
potential voters and going door-to-door in Westwood to talk about
Angelides’ policies.
Members plan to share information about the Schwarzenegger
administration, Angelides’ stance on policy issues, and
encourage students to vote, said Caitlin Harvey, publicity and
social director for Bruin Democrats.
Kyle Kleckner, issues director for Bruin Democrats, cited
“practicality” as the reason Bruin Democrats are
targeting students on campus.
“We have a wealth ““ a treasure trove of voters right
on our doorstep,” Kleckner said.
Facebook plays a key role in their grassroots campaign. Bruin
Democrats President Derek Lowrey started a Facebook group for
Angelides in the first week of May. The group currently has 72
members.
Melgar said he considers Facebook an effective way to educate
students about Angelides because “everybody checks
it.”
Lowrey said Angelides impressed the Bruin Democrats with his
integrity, commitment to “democratic principles” and
deep interest in college students. He added that Angelides and his
daughter have been communicating with the Bruin Democrats over the
past several months, which is the main reason why he has garnered
their support.
Angelides’ plans include rolling fees for the University
of California back to the levels they were at before Schwarzenegger
took office in 2003.
Some policymakers and education experts have raised concern over
the feasibility of the goals, given how expensive they would be to
implement.
But Melgar said Angelides’ focus on education was the most
important thing for the Bruin Democrats.
Both gubernatorial candidates have plans for education reform,
some of which are aimed at making college education more affordable
and accessible.
Westly’s proposals include making community college free
by providing state loans that students would not be required to
repay if they complete their education within six years.
Westly’s proposed programs have received similar
criticism.
Most of the campaigning by the Bruin Democrats will take place
on the day of the election and will consist of setting up a table
on Bruin Walk, writing messages on classroom chalkboards and giving
out candy and water bottles at several campus polling stations,
Harvey said.
“People don’t usually vote in the primary,”
said Lydia Hwang, a fourth-year political science student and
intern for the Westly campaign, adding that she hopes their efforts
will change that.
