Election fever invades Yale, sparks activism

Elections: statistically, the majority of eligible Americans don't vote. Out of those who do participate in the political process, many simply fill out a ballot without a deep knowledge of electoral politics and contemporary issues.

But for some Yale students, the race toward the 2000 presidential election has brought politics to life. Close and contentious races within both parties—which will heat up even more after the Iowa caucus on Mon., Jan. 24—have spurred student advocacy at many universities, and groups have been established at Yale to support each candidate. These organizations, while comprised of many of the same students who actively participate in the Yale College Democrats and the Yale College Republicans, are independent of these organizations and draw supporters from many backgrounds.

CAYTE PUSHKAREVA/YH Thomas Cantey, SY '00, displays his love for Democratic contender Bill Bradley. Bradley will speak at Wesleyan University next week.

The most active of the candidate support groups is Yalies for Bush, headed by Patrick Bumatay ES '00. Bumatay, an EP&E major, decided to found the group after reading an editorial lambasting Governor George W. Bush, DC '68, in the Yale Daily News. He called Jason Recher, the youth coordinator for the Bush campaign in New Hampshire, to volunteer his and other students' services. Bumatay has traveled to New Hampshire numerous times himself and organized five trips for Yalies for Bush, the most recent of which was this past weekend. According to Bumatay, one of the most rewarding aspects of the group is the involvement he has seen from members of the Yale community. "We have students from all walks of life, with varying interests, not just those who usually comprise the Yale political scene," Bumatay said.

While in New Hampshire, the group saw Governor Bush speak. Seeing Bush in person taught the students a great deal and assisted the campaign—groups of college students cheering the governor make for good press. Students also participated in activities such as leafleting and distributing information on the candidate.

Noelle Hancock, SY '02, went on one of the trips to New Hampshire. A native of Texas, Hancock supports the governor and has been impressed by what she describes as "his real ability to connect with people." Several students have made longer-term commitments to Bush—Abigail Deering, ES '01, interned for his campaign over winter break.

A similar trip recently materialized via Bill Bradley's Yale support group. Mudhu Pocha, BK '01, organizer of the effort and former head of the group, has taken the semester off to work on Bradley's insurgent campaign.

However, staying at Yale does not preclude smaller displays of devotion to a candidate. Susanna Greenberg, SY '01, an ethics, politics and economics major, had no previous experience in electoral politics. She was drawn to the Bradley campaign due to what she views as its inclusive, grass-roots nature. Greenberg, who took part in the trip to New Hampshire, described the experience as "thrilling and exciting." Greenberg and her companions spent the day walking to the homes of registered Democrats and interviewing them on their political leanings. She was impressed with the New Hampshire electorate. "The people of New Hampshire recognize their political importance, are involved, informed, and ready to engage in discussion and debate of the issues," she said. Having enjoyed the experience, Greenberg plans to campaign for Bradley in the future.

Yalies' sense of activism does not confine itself to the national level. Christine Bonanno, SY '01, has previously worked for both New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., and Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, MC '64, LAW '67. This past weekend, on her own initiative, she traveled to New Hampshire with Lieberman's staff to support Vice President Al Gore. Bonanno enjoys the campaign process, but said that she also engages in such activities to help combat what she sees as "the apathy of most young voters." She believes that "if young voters actively help candidates, such candidates will be forced to deal with issues important to us, and not concentrate solely on issues of importance to older citizens, such as Medicare." Bonanno also plans to remain involved; she is currently organizing another trip to New Hampshire for the primary election.

Clearly, Yale has room for all political types, from devotees of one candidate to activists hoping to increase student political influence. Such variance is mirrored by the reality of campaign politics, which welcomes Yalies for full summers or semesters, but also rewards the smaller sacrifices of a day or a weekend.

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