Some Leos take to politics

photo by Jason Cortez

James Breitling, a senior political science major at the University of La Verne, has been involved with politics for five years. He is currently acting as the campaign director for Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner. Wapner, a Republican, is running for the California State Assembly’s 61st District, which covers Ontario, Chino, Montclair and Pomona. At 24, Breitling is one of the youngest campaign directors in the state.

by Adrianna Gardner
Staff Writer

Despite the general apathy, some University of La Verne students have begun to get involved in the political process in time for November’s presidential election.

Weighty national issues such as of gay rights, terrorism, the environment and higher education are finding their way into conversations on campus.

And some students say they are doing their part politically speaking, such as donating time and money to political causes.

“It’s not math. It’s not science. It’s constantly changing and incorporates everything,” said James Breitling, senior political science major, who is assisting Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner, with his campaign for the State Assemby 61st District.

“It’s (a) place where you can make a difference and actually see results.”

“The Democratic party is my pick,” said Will Claiborne, sophomore business administration major and another La Verne student who is involving himself in the political process this election year.“That’s who I identify myself with. We have similar political views and their direction is where I would like to see government.”

But students such as these two are among the minority here as a recent Campus Times poll found less than 10 percent of ULV students voted in the the California presidential primary election last month.

Nationally, the statistics among the 18-25 age group aren’t much more encouraging.

Breitling said he believes young people are a particularly difficult group to encourage to vote.

“There’s a lot at stake,” said Richard Gelm, professor of political science, adding that much on today’s political agenda directly affects young people.

Gelm, who would like to see more young people in the process, referred to the 1960s when the youth were active in the civil right movement and participated in sit-ins and freedom rides.

Many factors contributed to the initially poor interest of the young people in politics, Gelm said. Generally, youth are not exposed to social and political issues. ULV does not require students to take a political science class to graduate.

But as the possibility of reinstating the draft becomes more of a reality, there is no time like the present for students to voice their opinions by voting. Gelm said the “future of American democracy” should preserve the health of American politics by staying informed.

Breitling has heeded that call.Duties with on Wapman’s campaign trail include running campaign headquarters and overseeing a phone bank. Breitling said that juggling his responsibilities to the campaign and school are a struggle, but the cause is worth giving up free time.

As the presidential race heats up, the country has geared much of political advertising toward youth. Programs such as Rock the Vote, a non-profit, non-partisan organization, which mobilizes young people to create positive social and political change in their lives and communities are one.

Another program called Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign to energize and empower a new movement of young voters to participate in the 2004 presidential election.