'Youth for Bush' offering to assist in voting process

ANDRIA MORGAN
DM Senior Staff Writer

Deciding whom to vote for in the presidential elections can be a difficult task. That is why groups such as Youth for Bush are here to speak with students about the candidate they represent.

Kimberly Bailey and Victoria Danson, chair and vice chair for Youth for Bush, work to help students understand the issues supported by George W. Bush.

But getting students to vote for Bush is not their only priority.

"Our main mission for Youth for Bush is to get young people out to vote," Bailey said. "The other mission is to elect George Bush."

Danson agrees that voting is essential to providing college students with more of a voice in politics.

"The only way politicians are going to look to us is if we get up and vote," Danson said.

"Politicians are going to play the statistics. Whichever party is voting more that's who they are going to target. They are looking to get elected."

After Youth for Bush gets students registered to vote, they take the time to talk to anyone who is interested about Bush's campaign.

"It's one thing to get out there and talk to people one-on-one, but we also go a step further," Danson said. "Because while we're trying to get people to vote for Bush, we're trying to get them educated about what his policies are.

In efforts to accomplish that mission, Youth for Bush has become involved on campus, hosting mock elections and debates, as well as setting up a tent for football games.

"Some people come by and just pick up a bumper sticker, but other people come by and they ask questions," Danson said. "We serve the purpose of being there to answer their questions. We can give them a more hands on approach."

The group gives out pamphlets of campaign literature to anyone who is interested. They say that they know the information is general, and that is another reason why they are eager to answer questions.

"If we don't have the answer, we know who to go to in order to find the answer, whether it is the Bush campaign or any Mississippi Republican politicians," Bailey said.

Janette Martin, associate professor of business, is the faculty advisor for Youth for Bush, and says Danson and Bailey are handling the responsibilities of the campaign on their own.

"I think they are doing well," Martin said. "I'm pleased. I really have let them handle it. I think they have a lot of good ideas."

Martin became an advisor for Youth for Bush last Spring.

"I am doing it because I feel there are big differences between Gore and Bush and I think Bush is a much better candidate," Martin said.

Currently there are 57 members in Youth for Bush, and students may join at any time with no membership fee.

To become a member for Youth for Bush students can e-mail or call Danson or Bailey. They can be reached at 513-6545, and their e-mail addresses are Bailey, olemissyankee@ hotmail.com and Danson, vldanson@ yahoo.com.