ASG presidential candidates debate UA issues before election
Bailey McBride
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: News
Lured less by the debate itself than by the chance to publicly support their candidates, students who attended the ASG executive officer debate Wednesday expected to hear reiterations of old campaign promises, they said.
And they did.
Frequently discussed issues - like tuition prices, athletic tickets and sustainability - formed the crux of the conversation.
"I think this is a good process, but it's more of a cheer for your candidate thing than an actual debate," ASG Treasurer Ben Hale said.
The executive officer hopefuls, however, saw in the debate an opportunity to promote themselves, their platforms and their histories of achievement within the ASG.
Presidential candidate Mattie Bookhout and her running mate Andrew LeNarz touted their five years of combined ASG experience.
The four goals or pillars already outlined for the ASG would guide their administration, they said, but policy improvements like a revised ASG Poll also would be priorities.
"We're the flagship university of this state, and it's time we stand up and act like it," Bookhout said.
Presidential candidate Jonathan Powell, currently serving as chair of ASG senate, described his ticket as "the platform of experience."
The projected $1.5 million Arkansas Union budget deficit, as well as the $3,000-a-person cost of the LeaderShape Institute, are of concern to Powell and vice-presidential candidate Robert Sharp, the two said - which is why they've made addressing the cost of attending the university a cornerstone of their campaign. Recycling, campus lighting and police are three more of the key issues they highlighted.
"We're here to represent real issues to real students," Powell said.
Presidential candidate Jacob Holloway sought to dissociate himself from the current ASG administration.
Whoever is elected president will be left with a "legacy of failure," Holloway said, as many audience members booed.
New programs for recycling and an ASG radio hour on KXUA, the campus radio station, are two ways Holloway plans to "reinvent" ASG, he said.
"Nothing gets accomplished when people are afraid to stand up and face the issues," Holloway said. "This is not a sport, and I want to let you know that I am not playing that game."
Current ASG President Carter Ford said he urges students to do just what Holloway suggested - face the issues.
"I just hope people will pay attention to the issues and vote based on (that), not on whose name they see the most," Ford said.
And they did.
Frequently discussed issues - like tuition prices, athletic tickets and sustainability - formed the crux of the conversation.
"I think this is a good process, but it's more of a cheer for your candidate thing than an actual debate," ASG Treasurer Ben Hale said.
The executive officer hopefuls, however, saw in the debate an opportunity to promote themselves, their platforms and their histories of achievement within the ASG.
Presidential candidate Mattie Bookhout and her running mate Andrew LeNarz touted their five years of combined ASG experience.
The four goals or pillars already outlined for the ASG would guide their administration, they said, but policy improvements like a revised ASG Poll also would be priorities.
"We're the flagship university of this state, and it's time we stand up and act like it," Bookhout said.
Presidential candidate Jonathan Powell, currently serving as chair of ASG senate, described his ticket as "the platform of experience."
The projected $1.5 million Arkansas Union budget deficit, as well as the $3,000-a-person cost of the LeaderShape Institute, are of concern to Powell and vice-presidential candidate Robert Sharp, the two said - which is why they've made addressing the cost of attending the university a cornerstone of their campaign. Recycling, campus lighting and police are three more of the key issues they highlighted.
"We're here to represent real issues to real students," Powell said.
Presidential candidate Jacob Holloway sought to dissociate himself from the current ASG administration.
Whoever is elected president will be left with a "legacy of failure," Holloway said, as many audience members booed.
New programs for recycling and an ASG radio hour on KXUA, the campus radio station, are two ways Holloway plans to "reinvent" ASG, he said.
"Nothing gets accomplished when people are afraid to stand up and face the issues," Holloway said. "This is not a sport, and I want to let you know that I am not playing that game."
Current ASG President Carter Ford said he urges students to do just what Holloway suggested - face the issues.
"I just hope people will pay attention to the issues and vote based on (that), not on whose name they see the most," Ford said.
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