Merits of left-wing candidates debated

Yesterday morning, some UW students proved that good old Lincoln-Douglas style debates still exist amid an election dominated by televised propaganda.

A student representing Sen. John Kerry and another representing Ralph Nader leveled their best arguments in opening statements, heated cross-examinations and rebuttals that included references to the abolition of slavery. The debate took place in Loew 105, in the presence of a moderator and about 20 audience members.

Wearing a "Lose your voting virginity" t-shirt was the Kerry representative, senior Andy O'Connell, vice president of ASUW and former president of the UW Young Democrats.

Across from him sat the Nader representative, Nicholas Baptiste, member of both the Socialist Alternative and UW Students for Nader. Baptiste is a junior studying English literature.

"We have to question our loyalty" to a Democratic Party that stood up and applauded President Bush when he announced his decision to go to war against Iraq, said Baptiste in opening statements. "[Nader] stands up for the rights of the millions, not the millionaires."

O'Connell questioned why Baptiste would spend energy on a candidate who cannot win.

"Mass movements change society, not presidential candidates," responded Baptiste.

"I respect Nader profoundly," said O'Connell. "The cold hard fact is that a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush."

In O'Connell's research of recent polls, 117 refuted Nader's claim that he will pull votes from Republicans, not Democrats. He believes Kerry would win by a landslide if Nader dropped out of the race.

"Is Kerry perfect?" asked O'Connell. "Of course not." He pounded his fist against the podium with a red sweatband that said "vote" around his wrist. "But frankly, he's the most progressive candidate we've had."

O'Connell highlighted Kerry's hybrid system of "Medicare-for-all," the Sierra Club's support of his environmental platform, his plan to bring the troops home in four years and his championing of women's rights.

Baptiste struck a soft spot when he referred to Kerry's vote to amend the Massachusetts constitution to prohibit homosexuals from marriage rights.

O'Connell admitted, "Kerry's position on this is my least favorite," which gained chuckles in the audience. He then argued that if Nader "magically got elected," people would also disagree with some of his decisions.

"In order to take a step forward, you have to take two steps back," Baptiste said. He related the Nader grassroots efforts to the minority efforts of slavery abolitionists.

"We can't be just ideological, we have to be strategic," rebutted O'Connell. He added that Lincoln was president at the time of the abolition of slavery, and he was a major party head who, like Kerry, represented a minority group without splitting the parties.

"I'm in an interesting spot," said moderator Andrew Hall, a 28-year-old musician who lives in the U-District.

Hall attended the Nader rally at the Seattle Center a few weeks ago, hoping to gain sufficient information to vote for or against Nader. He was let down and remained undecided. Seeking more perspective, Hall agreed to moderate yesterday's debate.

UW senior Laura Cunningham attended the debate, enthusiastic about the political conversation it evoked. However, she was disappointed in the meager student turnout.

"We need change, period," Cunningham said. "This is such an important election -- where is everyone?"