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Students' Party is best choice to lead MSA

As a former executive officer of the Michigan Student Assembly, External Relations Chair and long-time member of the Michigan Party, I want to throw my full support behind the Students' Party slate of Jonathan Freeman and Olga Savic for president and vice president of MSA.

Although this endorsement may seem unexpected, I have chosen Freeman and Savic because they appear to be the only slate that has the integrity and ability to lead the assembly.

It was not so long ago that both members of the Michigan Party slate were members of the Students' Party. This may be a point that has been forgotten by the student population, but as someone from the inside of the Michigan Party, I know it was done solely for political gain. Fiona Rose first came to MSA as a creative leader, continually fighting for her beliefs. However, since her vice presidential run with the Students' Party in the winter 1995, she has taken her creative energy and focused it increasingly on inside politicking and personal gain.

The personal views of Jonathan and Olga have not inspired me to write this letter, but their consistent integrity and passionate dedication to student issues. Having worked with Jonathan over the past two years I know that he has the leadership ability and skills to lead the student body. Rather than steamrolling his own agenda, he will work to forge a positive consensus that will benefit all. Fiona, however, in her brief chairmanship of ERC, did not show that she was interested in getting any form of opinion other than her own. For example, she even referred to the membership of the External Relations Committee as "My steering committee." This kind of power-hungry behavior is not needed on the assembly, and has contributed to MSA's poor image.

Although I do not ideologically agree on everything that Jonathan and Olga stand for, I believe they do have many qualities that can finally increase the legitimacy of MSA with the student body.

The Daily has continually endorsed the Michigan Party on a few lackluster issues. Now faced with choosing between an authentic Students' Party slate and a Students' Party slate running under the Michigan Party name, it's time to make a change by choosing integrity over political maneuvering.

ADAM CLAMPITT