Primary pinch

Candidates unfairly snubbed University

Throughout the campus hoopla surrounding last Tuesday's Republican primary, one event was noticeably absent within the city limits of Ann Arbor. Despite a record voter turnout and an outpouring of student activism, no Republican candidate held campaign events in the city.

Many Republicans may cringe at the liberal connotation the city of Ann Arbor brings, but candidates may have glossed over the area's Republican qualities. Tom Monaghan, former owner and CEO of Domino's Pizza Inc., is a long time Ann Arbor resident and staunch conservative. Monaghan recently founded a conservative law school in the area named Ave Maria, which he calls a "West Point for Catholicism and law." Many University alumni, like former President Gerald Ford and State Senator John Schwartz, have held high governmental positions under the Republican banner. In addition, Ann Arbor's mayor Ingrid Sheldon is a Republican, although a moderate one at that. These elements could have created a support base for those candidates campaigning in Michigan while their endorsements would have held at least some weight in the minds of area voters.

Candidates also failed to acknowledge the full power of University students. Though young adults historically vote less than middle age and older adults, dedicated students are often the ones with the time and energy to volunteer to help a candidate's campaign. Michigan's history of activism and protest may traditionally take a liberal spin, but this does not means the campus lacks a conservative constituency. The organization Students for McCain posted an overwhelming number of signs in supporting their candidate, and all Republican candidates saw representation at tables in Angel Hall.

Since the nation has more registered Democrats than Republicans, candidates seeking the presidency must appeal to a wide range of voters. McCain, who has made recruitment of Independents and crossover Democrats a focal point of his campaign, could have demonstrated his ability to appeal to non-Republican voters with a stop in Ann Arbor.

Maybe Republican candidates have a right to fear town with as liberal a reputation as Ann Arbor, but by avoiding the University community, George Bush, Alan Keyes and John McCain may have alienated many potential supporters. If the candidates wish to win the general election in November, they must appeal to a diversity of voters - Democrats, Independents and Republicans - including the people of Ann Arbor.