UT Martin Democrats

According to a new survey by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, college students support Kerry over Bush by wide margins. The survey found that Kerry’s 10 point lead in March has grown to 13 points now with 12 days left to Election Day. Kerry has the support of 52% of respondents with 39% for Bush. In swing states, Kerry’s lead widens to about 16 points.

So, you would think that George W. Bush would take every opportunity to shore up at least some support from the ‘MTV Generation‘, right?

Throughout MTV’s coverage of the 2004 presidential election, many of you have been contacting us about providing equal coverage to both major presidential candidates — Senator John Kerry and President George W. Bush. Some of you write that you’ve enjoyed our programs with Senator Kerry, but you ask why MTV hasn’t interviewed President Bush.

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We agree with you that we can best serve our audience by presenting both candidates and campaigns in equal measure. But while Senator Kerry has now sat for two interviews with MTV, President Bush has yet to agree to a single appearance. MTV has been pursuing an interview with the president all year and would welcome him on our network at any time. To date, the Bush campaign has told us that it hasn’t been able to schedule an MTV appearance.

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As we head into this final week of the campaign, the excitement is palpable. The crowds at rallies are growing exponentially, and by the time John Kerry or John Edwards takes the stage, you can barely hear yourself think. We have seen a lot of campaigns and a lot of big crowds, but we have never seen the intensity that is now on display. The polls are tight, but George Bush is on the ropes.

He can’t break 50 percent in any poll and this is very bad news for his campaign. That is a critical threshold for an incumbent president, because undecided voters tend to break for the challenger in the final days. His campaign is becoming increasingly desperate, while we remain optimistic.

The time for action is now.

We need you to go to the polls on Nov. 2, if you have not already voted. Voting for those living on campus will be at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, across from the former site of Austin Peay Hall, next to the Sigma Phi Epsilon House. Many of you will also be voting at the Buster Williams Fire Station. Contact us at via e-mail at utmdems@mars.utm.edu if you need ANY assistance finding your polling place, or visit Democrats.Org.
Let’s Take Back America!

One newspaper recommends voting for John Kerry because he has the “personal courage, compassion, intellect and skill to lead this country in a time of war abroad and economic troubles at home.” Writers in Tennessee agree that Kerry deserves your vote.

Endorsed Gore in 2000; Circulation 205,158

Kerry is right choice to restore nation’s promise October 24, 2004 - Kerry understands that a strong America is an America with steadfast allies. He has vowed to support U.S. troops abroad by providing them with the proper equipment and training. The senator also understands that threats come in many forms. Kerry wants to protect U.S. citizens at home without undermining the system of justice which is this nation’s cornerstone. Read More

Endorsed Bush in 2000; Circulation 189,961

For President: John F. Kerry October 24, 2004 - Sen. Kerry, we believe, has a chance to restore the traditional, cooperative approach toward foreign policy that has served America well since the Eisenhower administration. We need more allies in the war on terror and to help us protect the homeland. Read More

Endorsed Gore in 2000; Circulation 35,561

John Kerry for President October 17, 2004 - A Kerry administration will focus on helping the middle class and small businesses, making health care more affordable and available, protecting Social Security and Medicare and fully funding federal education programs such as ‘’No Child Left Behind.'’ Read More

Published weekly; Circulation 48,577

Kerry for President October 24, 2004 - John Kerry would respect ordinary working Americans, that he would work to reform entitlement programs for the sick and elderly, and that he would be more involved at an intellectual level with the policy discussions in which every president should be immersed. We also have more confidence in Democrats to get the debt under control. Read More

Haley Simmons
UTM College Democrats

When many Americans make an assessment of the candidates for president, they will evaluate the issues that affect them. For the African- American community and minorities as a whole, the issues that surround civil rights draws popular interest and become relevant when this group decides to vote.

There is a stark contrast between John Kerry and President Bush on the issue of civil rights. When evaluating John Kerry’s stance on civil rights, you will see that the senator from Massachusetts has strongly supported equality and opportunity in America for minorities.

John Kerry supports affirmative action, which calls for equal opportunity in jobs, education and contracting decisions for all minorities, as well as for women. When looking at wages in America, women earn only 76 cents on the dollar compared to men for working the same job. John Kerry has a plan to close the gap in wages earned between men and women.

President Bush, to his credit, has acknowledged the inequality that many minorities face in America. But, merely stating that there is inequality and taking steps to end the racial barriers that hamper equality is another thing.

President Bush in his four years in office has not visited with the NAACP, the most recognizable civic organization that promotes racial equality in America. Bush is the first president since Warren G. Harding not to meet with the NAACP, a visit that John Kerry did make.

The U.S. Commision on Civil Rights, a bipartisan commission, found that “President Bush neither exhibited leadership on pressing civil rights issues, nor taken action that matched his words.” (http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/bush/bush04.pdf)

The commission also reported that the president is to be commended for assembling a “diverse cabinet and moderately diverse judiciary,” but his nominees do not support civil rights protections. The effect, as the commission stated, could eventually weaken the civil rights laws.

The contrast between John Kerry and George W. Bush is evident enough for African Americans and minorities to cast their vote for the candidate who exemplifies their interests.

To learn more about John Kerry’s plan for civil rights, visit johnkerry.com, or attend the UTM College Democrats weekly meetings at 5 p.m. Thursdays in the UC.

John Lankford
UTM College Democrats

Tuition up 9% this year, sound familiar? Tuition and fees are up in 49 out of the 50 states. It seems that tuition increases have become as routine as back-to-school shopping. Why is it that we allow our education costs to be raised while we stand by and do nothing? Well the good news is YOU can do something about it, VOTE!

Bush’s record on higher education:

President Bush has failed to deliver on his 2000 campaign promise to raise the maximum Pell grant award to $5100. It remains at $4,050, meanwhile UTM tuition has risen by $1,066 since President Bush has taken office. Bush Proposes Cutting or Freezing Key Financial Aid Programs. Bush’s 2005 budget eliminates the $66.2 million Leveraging Education Assistance Partnerships (LEAP) program, which aids low-income families trying to afford rising college costs. Bush’s 2005 budget also cuts $101 million from the Perkins Loan Program.
Kerry’s Plan for a Stronger American Education:
Simplify the Student Aid Application Process. Today, there are more questions on an application for a $5,000 student loan than on an application for a $2 million small business loan. John Kerry will simplify the student aid application. As president, John Kerry will Offer a College Opportunity Tax Credit on up to $4000 of tuition for four years of college. This credit will be fully available to families having trouble with the costs of college and to young people who are paying their way through school. John Kerry will work with colleges to provide the benefits of the credit at the beginning of each school year, when students NEED IT! Only about one half of Americans who go to college actually graduate. John Kerry will work with high schools and colleges to boost college completion through stronger high school curriculum and empowering the colleges that improve their graduation rate.
The costs of these programs will be offset by rolling back Bush’s irresponsible tax cut program. What’s more important to you, a one-time $300 check or the pursuit of a more lucrative future with a college degree in hand? For more information, visit JohnKerry.com or attend our meeting Thursday 5 p.m., in the University Center, Room 231.