University of Virginia Library

Will Hold Debate On Candidates

Student Groups Sponsor Mock Ballot

By Tom Jenks
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

For the first time in the history
of the University, a mock
presidential election will be held,
sponsored by the University Union,
the Young Republicans, and the
Young Democrats. The voting,
which is open to all students and
members of the faculty, will be
conducted with printed ballots
containing the names of the three
leading presidential candidates and
their running mates, and space will
be provided for write-in votes for
Prohibitionist, Socialist and
Pea-and-Freedom candidates.

Ballot boxes will be placed in
twelve strategic locations about the
Grounds, and will be open on
Wednesday and Thursday of this
week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The
results of the election will be
printed in The Cavalier Daily on
Friday.

YD Challenge

The University Young
Democrats have, at the same time,
challenged the Young Republicans
to a debate to be held on Sunday,
November 3, beginning at 8 p.m. in
the New Chemistry Building, in
which a faculty member would
represent each organization.

In the letter of challenge
addressed to Bill Thomson,
president of the Young
Republicans, Jim Rocbuck,
president of the Young Democrats
said, "As I am sure that you would
agree, the importance of this year's
presidential election suggests that
there must be an open dialogue on
the qualifications of the candidates
and their positions on the major
issues. An open discussion seems
particularly important in view of
Mr. Nixon's refusal to debate the
other candidate."

Discussion Importance

"I trust that you will recognize
the importance of a full and public
discussion of the issues and that the
Young Republicans will delegate
representatives to present the
Nixon-Agnew positions." It is not
yet known whether the Young
Republicans will accept the
challenge."

Mr. Rocbuck and Anson
Franklin, executive-secretary of the
Young Republicans, were on hand
yesterday to comment on their
preferred candidates and what they
thought the results of the mock
election would be.

Nixon Response

Mr. Franklin said, "There has
been a great amount of response for
Mr. Nixon on the Grounds, and I
am very optimistic. Considering
that there are three candidates and
that many people will write in Pat
Paulsen or Gene McCarthy, I would
say that Nixon will take at least 50
per cent of the vote.

Mr. Rocbuck would not state
what percentage of the vote he
thought that Hubert Humphrey
would take, but said, "With three
men running, any candidate could
win with 40 per cent of the vote, so
it will be an extremely close
election. However, McCarthy
carried the school last spring in
'Choice '68,' leaving Nixon with
only 27 per cent of the student
body. There has since been a move
of McCarthy people to the
Humphrey camp, and this leads me
to believe that Humphrey will take
the majority."

Both men agreed that
Humphrey would take most of the
Negro and faculty vote, and that
many students were disenchanted
with all three of the major
candidates.

"Strong Individual"

When asked why Hubert
Humphrey would make a good
president, Mr. Rocbuck said, "He is
a strong individual and leader and
has a great passion and concern for
people. Also, there is a question of
Nixon's ability to lead the nation
and of his judgment in choosing the
people that will surround him,
people like Spiro Agnew."

"Responsible, Responsive"

In answering the same question,
Mr. Franklin said, "Mr. Nixon will
be more responsible and responsive
to the people of the United States.
His proposals in all areas will yield
the best possible efficiency in
government.

"We feel that the Democrats
have not done things in the right
manner and that the Republican
Party with Mr. Nixon can bring
about the proper changes," he
added.

In responding to the question of
what Humphrey would do for
youth, Mr. Rocbuck said, "Besides
solving the problems in the cities,
revising the Draft system, and
having a general feeling for youth, I
can't name anything specific."