COMMENTARY


	Focus on issues, not opponents

The Metropolitan Editorial

News: Student elections are approaching.

Views: Candidates should refrain from bashing each other and focus on issues.


	With elections right around the corner, candidates already are preparing for verbal warfare. Dave Flomberg, columnist and copy editor for The Metropolitan, began his campaign a bit prematurely last week with a column advising the current Student Government Assembly and hinting at what could be done to make it better. Our mistake was running it the same week the election coverage began. To avoid an unfair advantage, presidential candidate Andy Nicholasā guest column runs this week in its entirety and Flombergās regular column, Jive, will return after the election. In addition to Nicholasā column, current SGA member Jessie Bullock vehemently responds to Flomberg with a column of her own.


	Each individual has a point. But pointing out what others are doing wrong to champion a cause it just too reminiscent of big-league politics. Perhaps all candidates would be better off pretending the others didnāt exist. Come up with ideas, tell the student body (the few who care) why ideas will work, how they will work and what will be done to ensure the ideas are realized. Spend less time bashing opposition and more time trying to solve problems. The general population on campus is oblivious to the SGA, the administration and most student organizations. The few who are active are the ones who care what candidates have to say and what can be done to bridge the gap between student leaders and college administrators. Communication and accountability should be primary concerns for all involved. Increasing the SGAās visibility and credibility with the majority of students on campus also should be a priority. College administrators, despite what is said for PR reasons, barely notice student leaders. Often with good reason. With new faces vying to take the helm, the job at hand is establish credibility and make progress. Credibility is rarely found in verbal pissing contests among candidates. Focus on the issues and forget about the competition. The students who care to vote will be smart enough to elect the right people. Editorās note: The March 27 issue of The Metropolitan will run a column from each SGA presidential candidate in the Commentary section.