University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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The flea, the Grasshopper, and the Skipjackl once wanted to see which of them could jump highest; and they invited the whole world and whoever else would come, to see the grand sight? -Hans Chn'stian Andersen, The Jumpertt heQEampaign Gainesville is a small town at the center ofthe biggest battleground state in the coun- try- Florida The 2004 presidential election was probably one of the greatest presidential elections in recent history. During the months leading up to Nov. 2 Gainesville was graced with the presence of presidential and senate candidates campaigning. Mel Martinez, US. Senate Republican candidate, Visited Gainesville when student Jamal Sowell publicly endorsed him. Betty Castor, US. senate democratic candidate Visited as well for a campaign rally. Senator John Edwards, Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee, also hosted a rally on the ReitZUnion NorthLawn Hiswife,Ehzabetha1so came to Gainesville to speak Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney, came to Gatnesville to meet with smaH-business owners. Six University of Florida students got to shake hands with the Vice President as he boarded Air Force Two en route to his next campaign stop. Junior Ashlee Black even gave Cheney a hug. When I asked him ifI could hug him, I heard him tell the White House historian, Get a picture of thtsff Black 3L8 said Gainesville was also privyto host a rally with the President ofthe United States; George W. Bush It was held at Gainesville Regional Airport Although Senator John Kerry did not Visit , Tiftr'brqtgg Gainesville during the campaign season, his cut out .. i1 did make an appearance at the Gators for Kerry Wm? table on Turhngton Plaza. , IIII, t l', 1'5 photo by. Cinthia Sandoval NH 5'. HZW 511$th Life -Diana Delgado President George W. Bush speaks to the crowd at a rally in nearby St. Petersburg. photo by. Diana Delgado ail A large crowd of students and Gainesville residents listen Democratic Vice Presidential candidate ,Sena tor John Edwa I'dS, speak on the North Lawn of the Reitz Union. Tickets were unlimited and were available through the Gators for Kerry as well as through the Alachua County offices of the Kerry-Edwards campaign. photo byKirsten Schmjtt

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x . . Some students supported their candidates for different The College Libertarians spread the word about Alacl IU'd Loon 1y SI lent fSteve Oelrich explains why he shou id be reelected at Student Governments Know Your Vote Foru m. reasons. This Gator for Kerry seems to like her party's their Presidential candidate Richard Ba d narik. photo by: lehm Sandovai Vice Presidential candidate for his good hair and Winning PhOfO by: Mar 86f 1y YUhjCO iiJamraCh the Rich, being anxious to reach the City of Political Distinction before nightfalt arrived at a fork of the road and was N Rx O undecided Which branch to follow, so he consulted a Wise- . . w c 9 Looking Person Who sat by the ways1de. A , I Take THAT roadf said the Wise-Looking Person, v v pointing it out; tit is known as the Political Highwayf U -The City ofPolitical Distinction, Aesops Fables Politics Qfampus Students can expect to meet an army of people passing out information any time they travel through Turh'ngton Plaza, but during an election year, the amount of activity increases until some might feel that they are drowning under a flurry of fliers. Aside from the established campus politital organizations, such as College Republicans, College Democrats and College Libertarians, a group of tampaignoriented organizations, like Gators for Kerry and Gators for Bush cropped up. Meeting once a week, these groups aim to gather volunteers for events including passing out fliers, tabling on campus, waving campaign signs on street corners, going door-todoor to Campaign and bringing events to campus. iiOrie of the main goals of our organization is simply making students aware of the importance of this election and their potential contributiorf English sophomore Leah Dietterle, a member of Gators for Kerry, said When theyire not campaigning for their cause, many politically-minded Gators flock to see the speakers Who come to the University of Florida and the Gairiesviile area. Ray McGovern questioned the Iraq War, Ralph N ader reprimanded the two major parties for buying into corporate interests, Michael Moore , John Edwards outh'ned the Views of his and John Kerrys platform George Pataki said that Bush is the only Choice to combat terrorism George W. Bush talked about his stance on the major election issues and countless other speakers articulated their Views to an audience of students and community members. Kirsten Schmitt smile as she holds her sign during a weekly sign waving session. photo by: Margeny Yuhjco Student I, kifd

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43-3811 Q71 Jrl'fyrt; A Olly COX took on an enormous responsibility during the Fall Of 2004 In one of the most contentious elections of her lifetime, the history senior shifter her sights from aspirations of law school, and took on the role of heading up Students for Bush, the campus Chapter of the BushCheney campaign. ttEverythjhg we do is leading up to the presidential election e- absolutely everything COX said. COXs Students for Bush were very Visible around campus during the election season as they tabled everyday 0n Turh'ngton Plaza, usually alongside the Gators for Kerry, and tailgated before football games. The LSU game was the most hectic one? she said. tWe had people out there passing out stickers and waving signs for over 12 hours? There were perks though. COX and members of Students for Bush and College Republicans had the opportunity to meet Vice President Dick Cheney and ride in his motorcade with his press corps. The hard work paid off on NOV. 2 when the results of the general election were announced For COX, who spent the evening at a party with members of Students for Bush and local Republicans, the results for Florida alone mattered almost as much as the national results. 01 was so happy when they called Florida, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, she said COX graduates in the Spring of 2005, and looks forward to going to law school at UF in Fall 2005. -Lesh'e Veiga Int Dominant Juniors Thomas Jardon and Leslie Veiga stand beside Vice President DIck Cheneyts armored Sport Utility Whide' W photo byTLoweH Wong Above; Vice President Dick Cheney blushes after receiving a hug from Ashlee Black. photo by: LeslieVGIga Student t