Election day arrives
Today's editorial page is the culmination of our Countdown to the Election series. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed columns, letters and guest pieces during this heated campaign season. We would especially like to thank those students who not only went to the polls today, but also took time to share their final decisions with us. We have printed a sample of their responses below.
I voted [absentee] for Bush. I voted for him because I favor his education plan more. I'm a big fan of school choice and I think he may finally move our country in that direction. I also like his Social Security and Medicare plans better. I'm not a diehard fan of either and I'm not going to be one of those people who just calls the other candidate "stupid" all day, without having a good reason for being opposed to him. I respect both candidates and think that both have some potentially good ideas. I side with Gore on a lot of issues, like gun control, and his stance on the environment. However, in the end, I decided that my views were more in line with Bush, so that's why I voted for him. Justin Browne '01 Senior Class President
Election day arrives
I'm from Texas and am familiar with Bush. I'm not too happy with what he's done there so I voted for Gore. Bush hasn't been responsive to the push for hate-crime legislation in Texas. It's something that matters everywhere, but especially in Texas after the high-profile case of James Byrd. Between the two candidates, I also prefer Gore's stance on affirmative action. The program isn't functioning like it should right now, but Gore is willing to fix and adjust it, rather than ending it. Andria Boateng '02 Third World Center Governance Board Chair
Election day arrives
I traveled back to my hometown of South Brunswick, N.J., to vote in this year's election. While I felt that none of the candidates running for the presidency was fully qualified and prepared for the position, I voted for Gov. George W. Bush because he seemed to have an edge over the other candidates in terms of adaptability and firmness in his beliefs. This was evident throughout the debates as well as in his campaign.
Bush shares many of my views, but more importantly, I felt that he has more of the necessary qualities for leadership — a willingness to learn, an ear that listens, an ability to adapt and a likeable but commanding demeanor. The other candidates are significantly lacking in one or more of these areas. Calvin K. Chan '02
Election day arrives
Women deserve the right to choose. Criminals should not be put to death. Health care and public education need attention and funding. Discrimination is one thing that should not be tolerated. Those are just a few reasons why the ballot I sent home to Maine [a swing state] was cast in favor of Al Gore.
And please — keep in mind that you are voting for an entire administration and not only a president. Do you really want more people like Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court? Junior might make some mighty unpleasant appointments just like his daddy did. Emily Mitchell '03
Election day arrives
I did my part two days ago. It involved sending in my Maryland absentee ballot and voting for Not-Bush. For me that meant voting for Gore. I voted for Gore somewhat because I think that I am fairly well-aligned with his views. But mostly, I voted for him to cast a vote against Bush, whose values and economic plans could potentially throw our country into what doctors call a giant mess. Why didn't I vote for Nader ['55]? Because he is a complete non-entity and is anti-Israel to boot, I feel like a vote for Nader is more of a vote against Gore than against Bush and I may just have to move to "good ole Canadia" if Bush gets elected. Adam D. Friedlander '01 Roaring 20 President
Election day arrives
I voted absentee over break while I was home in Wisconsin, and I voted for Gore. Since I live in a swing state, I definitely wasn't going to vote for Nader. But if I had lived in a state where the election was not so close I would have voted for Nader. Giving the Green Party a five-percent margin of victory is a worthy goal. The more voices that are heard, the better. Amanda Fulmer '01 SPEAC Co-Coordinator
Election day arrives
I'm sick of people telling me that I'm supposed to be voting for Gore just because I'm a woman. G.W. just appeals to me more. I like that he has promised to make partial birth abortions illegal [not necessarily overturn Roe v. Wade]. I don't appreciate how Gore's campaign is all about scaring people into thinking that if Bush is president, all your rights will be taken away, and everyone in jail will get the chair. God forbid we have a conservative president with religious morals.
An important thing to consider is how the candidate will work with the other party. And as Bush's record in Texas has shown us, he deals better with Democrats than Gore would with Republicans in Washington. That's really one of the biggest reasons that I'm voting Republican. Vanessa Rodriguez '03
Election day arrives
I'm an unabashed conservative — I voted for Bush. I voted absentee from Arizona. The main reason I voted for Bush primarily has to do with the abortion issue, because I'm Catholic and I see abortion as murder. If Al Gore is elected, I'm afraid he will appoint justices that will loosely interpret the Constitution and ruin the anti-abortion effort for years to come. Spence Miller '02 USG Vice President
Election day arrives
Bush and Gore prove that even in the era of affirmative action, Ivy League-educated WASPs with powerful fathers can succeed. Of course, this success has been an uphill battle for both. The media has pegged the pair with the standard stereotypes used to discriminate against the rich for centuries: stiff and stupid.
Unfortunately for America's upper crust, these stereotypes are legitimate. When making public appearances, Gore is often mistaken for a life-size cardboard cut out. And Bush is, well, simply mistaken.
While Nader strikes me as an interesting alternative to politics as usual, I quake at the thought of sending a consumer advocate to negotiate the Middle East peace process. The best result for Arafat and Barak with Nader as president would probably be dual-side airbags and a 70,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Personally, I would much rather have a stupid president than a stiff one. Bush knows he's stupid and revels in it, while Gore still tries to convince us how "cool" he is by wearing three-button olive suits and making out with his wife.
Bush is much more entertaining than Gore. He speaks into microphones when he shouldn't. He occasionally makes up words and continents. He gets arrested. Vote Bush. C-Span needs the ratings. Josh Boak '01 Quipfire! Managing Director
Election day arrives
Last Friday I sent in my absentee ballot bearing a write-in vote for Ralph Nader. Many liberals may criticize this vote as a vote for Bush, so allow me to explain.
First of all, Nader has a progressive agenda which I almost entirely agree with, and I would guess most liberals would agree with. His agenda is based on issues of social and economic justice and freeing U.S. politics of corporate control. Democratic candidates in recent years have failed to address many of these issues.
By voting for Nader, I hope to force the Democratic party to shift left, and to keep it there by creating a viable third-party watch dog that will continue to threaten any Democratic candidates that ignore these important issues. Hence, I am voting for Nader because I believe these long-term benefits outweigh the threat of a Bush presidency. Will Knight '01 Campus Greens Treasurer
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New Jersey is burning. Stop pretending Princeton won’t.
Isaac Barsoum“In the wake of these dire warnings, it is time for the University to remember that the climate crisis will one day affect Princeton’s campus even more directly — and to redouble its commitments to leadership on climate, sustainability, and environmental justice.”
“In the wake of these dire warnings, it is time for the University to remember that the climate crisis will one day affect Princeton’s campus even more directly — and to redouble its commitments to leadership on climate, sustainability, and environmental justice.”
Now is not the time to abandon trans rights
Shane McCauley“Not only is it politically useless to play into Republican talking points and cast queer issues as ‘elite’ concerns — it’s inaccurate and damaging.”
“Not only is it politically useless to play into Republican talking points and cast queer issues as ‘elite’ concerns — it’s inaccurate and damaging.”
