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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 1981)
Wednesday, november It, 1931 page 8 daily nebraskan Political base tmmmtNU Young aren't voting prof essor By Leslie Kendrick People who are 18 to 29 years old have the lowest voting percentage, said Robert Sittig, UNL political science professor. This low percentage is a huge enigma, Sittig said, because there are tremendous opportunities for involve ment and the legal impediments for voting have been removed. Sittig said much of young people's interest in politics depends on their family background. "Civic involvement is mostly promoted by holding high socio-economic status," he said. Socio-economic ranking, attitude of parents, educat ion, type of job and race can all affect voting percent ages, Sittig said. But college students are on their way to being more involved in politics, he said. "In some elections it's hard to find those with college degrees that didn't vote," Sittig said. Sittig likened the lack of young voter turnout to women's participation in elections. When women achiev ed the legal right to vote it took nearly two generations to equal male voter turnout, he said. Voting is a learned response, Sittig said, which could account for some, if not much, of the low voter turnout. For students to become actively involved in politics they must go through a psychological adjustment, Sittig said. It is hard to get ideas translated into changes within our political system, he said. The way most people express opinions on issues is to vote. By the time students are committed to an issue they are thwarted by the political system and are frustrated, Sittig said. GOP candidates receive training By Eric Peterson Candidate recruitment is a concern of the Republi can Party said Bill Hamilton, executive director of the state Republican Party. "First of all, the Republican Party is an open party. Right now we're recruiting people to run against officials of the opposite party who are up for re-election. We've had a fair number of calls from potential candidates announcing their intention to seek election,' Hamilton said. Hamilton said the state political headquarters is obligated to remain neutral before the primary elect ion, but he hopes to forestall divisive primary battles. There will be two candidate schools sponsored by the Republican state headquarters, one pre-primary ses sion in late January and another in May with a more specialized, general election focus. The sessions will "acquait candidates with some techniques of getting the issues before the voters of this state," Hamilton said. He said one major focus of Republicans was the visit of Vice President George Bush Nov. 7. Hamilton said the Republican and Democratic part ies are using direct mail fund raising in the state, but the basic Republican strategy is performance. "Our whole strategy, since we're the party in power, is that good government is the best policy." Lincoln is far from a Democratic stronghold, said Mike Rierden, Lancaster County Republican chairman. "I would argue with DiAnna Schimek and state that Lancaster County is predominantly Republican-oriented," he said. Rierden said most county offices are held by Re publicans, and noted that although four of Lincoln's seven Legislative district seats are held by Democrats, three of those Derrtocrats are up for re-election this year. Viable candidates "Beutler, Landis and Wesely are all running again, and we will have very viable candidates to oppose them," Rierden said. Rierden said college students have been important in past campaigns. "The Young Republicans have play ed a vital role in the things where numbers count, like getting out mailings " he said. Ralph Knobel, Republican state chairman, said "1 think it's an opportune time to build the Republican Party because the American people are believing and thinking what the Republicans have held for a long time." Knobel stressed the importance of county level, grass roots party organizing. "The most basic work is done at the local level, like voter registration and money raising," he said. Knobel said the Republicans are seeking to build a broader precinct organization. The GOP also is training candidates to campaign, Knobel said, both at a multi-county and state level. A statewide candidate school will be conducted next spring. Knobel said the governership is crucial to state politics. "everyone likes to have the governor's mansion. The key to party -building is the governor's office," he said. The Republican campaign will emphasize Gov. Charles Thone's term in office, Knobel said. "It's a matter of looking back at the record and telling people what we've done." Pay raise Raising the pay of state senators will be a major concern of the League of Women Voters in the next election, said Peg Taylor, state president of the league. The league is a nonpartisan, public interest political group. Taylor said the low level of legislative pay is a dis grace. "We've been trying to change it for years," Taylor said. There is more general concern about the national economy and especially with the budget cuts in federal block grants made to cities, Taylor said. "We spoke with (Lincoln) Mayor (Helen) Boosalis and some other local officials, and all were concerned with how the cities in Nebraska are going to manage with reduced grant money." By D. L. Horton "You live in constant fear of making a fool of your self." "Name recognition is very important." "If you're going to run, you need a political base." "Finding the time to meet people is a problem." "It's one whale of a lot of work." "You also need a good bit of luck." These were some of the major fears and concerns state senators voiced when interviewed about their past campaigns. The first of many problems a candidate faces is finding and maintaining a political base. This group of supporters will be drawn upon to help build the candidate's campaign organization. Senators interviewed said forming a political base was not difficult if they lived in their district for several years or had some contact with a large group, such as university students. Sen. Steve Fowler of Lincoln described the base as "the number one priority." He said it is almost impossible to win an election without one. Lincoln Sen. Don Wesely was a UNL graduate student when he first ran for the Nebraska Legislature in 1978. He said he had to emphasize the fact that he was a 20-year resident of his district and de-emphasize his student status. His campaign organization started with friends. As he learned who was interested in state government it became a more state-oriented group, Wesely said. "I was surprised how quickly people would support me when they didn't know me personally that well," he said. Wesely and Fowler said the campaign organization helps the candidate develop and express the reasons why he's running and where he stands on issues, but the final platform decision is the candidate's. Community involvement Lincoln Sen. Shirley Marsh said she knew many people in her district because she has lived on the same corner since 1946. She said she had been involved in church and community projects for years. During her three successful campaigns for the Legislature, friends from these organizations have volunteered their efforts to her camp aigns, she said. She said being a woman was not a handicap since her district had been represented previously by a female. Sen. Elroy Hefner of Coleridge said his district present ed special problems for campaign organization because it covers all or parts of four counties. He said he spread his political base by having at least one contact person in each community in his district. He said he also traveled to small towns in his district for speaking engagements. Sen. David Landis of Lincoln said his campaign organization started with friends and family but later in cluded people who knew of him and his ideas. Government seats open to candidates With 24 seats up for re-election in the Nebraska Legislature next fall, and all major positions open in the statehouse, from the governorship on down, candidates already are beginning to gear up for next year's campaign. So far, three candidates have filed for the Legis lative races - Veva Rankin for the 14th District in Omaha; Francis Sand for the 22nd District around Columbus; and Donald Apley, Sr. for thj 32nd Dis trict in the Crete area. One candidate, Republican Jim Keck of Omaha, has filed for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Edward Zorinsky. Zorinsky is expected to run for re-election, but he has not officially announced his candidacy. Lincolnite Dave Tews also may announce a Republi can candidacy for Zorinsky's seat. Gov. Charles Thone and Lt. Gov. Roland Luedtke, both Republicans, are expected to run for re-election, but they have not yet filed. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Loren Belker of Lincoln and Benjamin Nelson of Omaha are within weks of making a decision running for the Demo cratic nomination. An official at the Democratic State Central Com mittee said it is highly likely that three Lincoln state senators will run for re-election. They are Don lel of the 26th strict, Chris Buetler of the 28th District and Dave Landis of the 46th District.
