Bookman withdraws from runoff election

By George Fujii

Daily Bruin Staff

Noah Bookman, a candidate for general representative running on
the Viable Alternative slate, withdrew Sunday night from the
undergraduate student government runoff elections, throwing his
support behind the three Praxis general representative
candidates.

Bookman, a third-year American literature and culture student,
said he is withdrawing for two reasons: the difficulty of
campaigning alone, without the backing of a slate, and because he
said his views are similar to those of Praxis candidates.

“It was never my intention to entirely displace
Praxis’ influence or even alter the progressive attitudes
that exist on USAC,” Bookman said in a statement.
“Rather, I wanted to encourage a methodological shift in the
way USAC operates.”

While Bookman said he shared the same goals with Praxis, such as
reinstating affirmative action in admissions, he disagreed with
their activist approach.

Bookman’s withdrawal leaves five candidates for the three
general representative positions: Ryan Bulatao, Cheryl Lott and
Elisa Sequeira of the Praxis slate; and independent candidates
Katrina Eiland and Kendra Striegler. Bookman said he endorses
Bulatao, Lott and Sequeira.

“I faced three options: run alone; form a coalition with
Katrina and Kendra; or (withdraw),” Bookman said. “My
best alternative is to work within the system at this
point.”

“Their experience and their ideas are unmatched by the
remaining candidates,” Bookman said, in a statement.

Also this week, students will choose either independent
candidate Elizabeth Houston or Katynja McCory, of the Praxis slate,
as their next USAC president.

Bookman’s withdrawal means that none of this year’s
four Viable Alternative candidates will sit on the council this
year. Election results so far show Praxis holding at least 5 out of
13 seats on the council.

Bill Elliott, the leader of Viable Alternative, said Bookman
consulted with him about withdrawing.

“We absolutely, totally and completely support what Noah
Bookman is doing,” Elliott said. “I personally believe
he is making the right choice.”

Praxis candidates were grateful for Bookman’s
endorsement.

“I think that was very nice of him to do,” Sequeira
said. “I really think what he wants is what Praxis as a slate
wants. Noah had really great ideas and I hope he comes and works in
the offices.”

Bookman said he will not be endorsing a candidate for
president.

“I will support whomever the student body chooses to
elect,” he said.

Elliott, a candidate for general representative who did not
receive enough votes to make the runoff, said Viable Alternative
had no official position on the president’s race.

“Elizabeth Houston and Katynja McCory are not our
concerns,” Elliott said.

Elliott said because Viable Alternative was not an interest
group slate, it had difficulty attracting votes.

“We didn’t have a bloc which would just vote for
us,” Elliott said. “The votes we got were because we
campaigned very hard; we don’t have the resources to do that
for another week.”

Bookman said he plans to work with Praxis on several of its
programs such as the “Student Vote 2000 Campaign” and
the existing Daisy Day program, and to help USAC with his position
as assistant resident director for the Saxon Suites next year.

“I want to use my position in residential life, on the
programming board, as a resource for student government,”
Bookman said. “I’d be happy to work with the candidates
themselves.”

“I disagree on the level of action to take; I would like
to work with the administration on a collaborative level,”
Bookman said, adding that student protests should be a last
resort.

Sequeira said that while Bookman had experience in on-campus
housing government, he lacked USAC experience. She added that his
decision to endorse Praxis candidates shows the value of their
experience.

“That endorsement shows to other people that there must be
something we have that makes us qualified,” Sequeira
said.

Bookman, who said he will graduate next year, does not plan to
run again for USAC.

Elliott said he and Bookman will work with USAC this year,
possibly on the staff of council members. Next year’s plans
for Viable Alternative are unclear.

“What (Viable Alternative) does next year depends on
USAC’s ability to work with the rest of the whole student
body,” Elliott said.