2 • BENNETT BANNER • OCTOBER 29,1999
• OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION
RUNGANO NYAJEKA
Managing Editor
Financing seems to rule
presidential bids
The political landscape appears to have changed dramatically, yet
remains the same.
In October a female GOP presidential hopeful announced her
withdrawal from the presidential race. Elizabeth Dole, a native
Carolinian, gave low funding as a primary reason for her to
discontinued her campaign bid.
Though it was too early in the race
to determine whether “voting”
Belles should commit their vote to
Dole, this occurrence was an
injustice to voters.
Compared to other presidential candidates, the odds financially
are overwhelming. George W. Bush’s campaign has raised more
tlian $60 million, thereby shattering political fund-raising records,
and successful entrepreneur Steve Forbes has unlimited $$$ re
sources. Both Bush and Forbes have access to large private fortunes
and have p^eexisting networks of political supporters: Thus the
bottom line remains money.
The idea that a qualified person must involuntarily rule out
herself or himself due to lack of funds, limits voters’ choice what
ever candidate is left in the race.
An independent candidate who may have solutions to some of the
societal issues will be ruled out because she or he doesn’t have
inherited resources for gathering enough financial support The lack
of money should not be the only reason a presidential candidate drop
out of the race.
If money and not the issues is the prerequisite for a successful
presidential bid we are all in serious trouble.
TheBennett Banner
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STUDENT OPINION POLL;
What would be a good reason
for presidential candidates
to drop out of a race?
Photos by Marie Smith, Chief Photographer
IHSAN MUHAMMAD
CUSS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: COMP. SCI.
HOME STATE: WASH D.C.
A good reason for a presidential
candidate to drop out a race
should be due to a very bad
illness where he or she could not
or possibly be able to serve.
Money should not be the reason
because he or she can lobby
others to support themselves
KIA DANTZLER
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: POL! SCI.
HOME STATE: NEW JERSEY
The only reason a candidate
should consider or dropping out
of presidential campaign race is
for personal illness. Not having
enough money is a good reason
or if you think you will not win.
Once committed to running, you
should stay in the race.
MELISSA CLOWE
CLASS: JUNIOR
MAJOR: PSY
HOME STATE: MARYLAND
Financial instability is a reason
for dropping out of the presiden
tial race. One cannot adequately
maintain a high position in the
polls without sufficient funds for
campaigning.
CHRISTY GREEN
CLASS: JUNIOR
MAJOR: ELM. ED.
HOME STATE: NORTH CAROLINA
I don’t think that a person or
presidential candidate should go
to the poor house for a country
that you are not sure supports
you.
BRITNEY SMITH
CLASS: FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR: POLI SCI.
HOME STATE: GEORGIA
A good excuse to drop out of a
presidential election race would
be if one’s moral code is
controversial with the popula
tion.
VIOLET BAFFOUR
CLASS: SENIOR
MAJOR: POLI SCI.
HOME: GHANA
The amount of money raised by
one’s political opponent is not a
good enough reason to drop out
of d race. A personal or family
crisis would be a good enough
reason. To give up because of
money or lack of it is not a good
enough excuse.