University of Tampa - Moroccan Yearbook (Tampa, FL)

Page 20 text:

Bush Quayle Ticket Sweeps Electoral College By Kristy L. Strickland The presidential race of 1988 had been called the dir- tiest campaign of the modern time. The candidates, as well as the media, avoided any real issues and debated topics such as the pledge of alle- giance and conservatism. Nevertheless, the long battle ended on November 8, 1988, and Vice-President George Bush became President-elect George Bush. Final figures showed Bush as winning the popular vote by a small, but solid margin of just over 4%. While this was not a landslide, the votes in the electoral college calculat- ed very differently. Bush won three times the number of states that Dukakis did. As a result, the number of electoral votes for Bush far outnum- bered those which Dukakis re- ceived. This was what counted in the long run. Voter turnout was at an all- time low across the nation. In fact, this election reported the lowest turnout since 1924. The election turn-out in Hillsbor- ough County was not as low as it had been across the country. In fact, many pre- cincts exceeded their project- ed turnout as determined by Robin Krivanek, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elec- tions. Although the voters chose a Republican candidate to fill the vacancy in the white house, both the Senate and House of Representatives gained Democratic members. On the local scene, there was quite a controversy re- garding the Senate race. After two days and 70,000 absen- tee ballots. Connie Mack (R) was declared the winner by a slight margin over opposition Buddy McKay (D). The controversy resulted due to the fact that hundreds of thousands of voters over- looked the race on their bal- lots due to its placement on the page at the bottom of presidential race. In fact. McKay claimed that he would protest the decision and would not concede to defeat until something had been done about it. This resulted in a large amount of turmoil in the local area such as a sign in front of the Hooters on West Hillsborough which read. Will the real senator from Florida please stand up. During the campaign, sever- al politicians visited the Uni- versity of Tampa community. Two weeks before the elec- tion. the College Republicans invited Senate hopeful Connie Mack to speak to students in Plant Hall. The main topics during this discussion with stu- dents and the press were abortion, Contra aid, national defense, and taxation. On the eve of the election. UT was host to several politi- cal activities. In the afternoon. UT alumni Governor Bob Mar- tinez spoke to students and faculty members on the steps in front of Plant Hall about the upcoming election. On the evening of Monday. November 7, the Student Po- litical Organization hosted a debate between prominent members of the College Re- publicans and the UT Demo- crats organizations. The de- bate was organized rather professionally and was moder- ated by SPO president Craig Huffman. During the weeks preceed- ing the election, there had been much tension throughout the university community. The Minaret was filled weekly with editorials, commentaries, and letters to the editor which dealt v ith the national cam- paign as well as the ones that were going on right on cam- pus. The College Republicans and UT Democrats were fight- ing long and hard for the can- didates from their party affili- ation. As a result, there was a tough battle fought by each group. The mediums used were the Minaret. The Conse vative Voice, the Minarag, ar the halls which could be filU with posters. The members of bot groups, as well as the rest the UT community, was n lieved when November 8 hs come and gone. Many rac were won by each side, ar they had been fought well. Tf groups could rest-for foi years. ❖ Sixteen

Page 19 text:

TaMpa Atea P oVidei Eowjflmq fo i Ei e tyottf, By Kristy L. Strickland A large amount of the students who come to UT each year had never been to the Tampa area before. These students came from places such as New York. New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia, and other Florida cities. They fast ba- come accustomed to the city and begin to learn where things are. Naturally, for the out-of-town student, areas of interests are the airport, shopping malls, and night spots. Tarrpa soon became a home away from home, and stu- dents learned that the area was in many ways very similar to the towns they had came from. The Tampa Bay area seemed to be diverse enough to offer a wide array of activities and events to satisfy the needs of most every member of the UT community. Wheth- er it be professional sports, rock concerts, Broadway plays, or Disneyworld. it was all within reach of the Bay area. The area also provided many beaches and camping sites for those who enjoyed the outdoor life. Originally from New York, transfer student Genie DelPezzo said, I could spend every day at the beach. It's always the right weather for it. The city also offers a wide variety of ways to further one's studies after completing a UT program. The University of South Florida offers a wide range of Master's Degree pro- grams. Across the bay, many UT graduates decide to at- tend law school at Stetson University. The city is always ready for any avid shopper. It is the home of four major shopping molls - Tampa Bay Center. Westshore Plaza, Eastlake Square Mall, and University Mall. Students have the opportunity to attend many big name concerts during the course of the year. The concerts range from such favorites as George Michael to Alabama. Con- certs are held at many different locations such as the USF Sundome, Tampa Stadium, the Bayfront Center, the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, and the Lakeland Civic Center. It was not altogether unusual for several concerts to be in town on the same night. These many aspects of the city provided an ideal atmo- sphere for students to learn and enjoy themselves in what little spare time they may have. For this reason, many stu- dents chose to stay in the Tampa Bay area after gradu- ation. The Tampa International Airport provides many economic opportunities lor the city of Tompo fifteen

Page 21 text:

tr- id td :h D( 2- id ?s d ie jr Vice-President George Bush and Senator Dan Quayte were the RepuW - can victors (or the positions ol Presi- dent and Vce-President o( the United States. Democratic nominees Governor Mike Djkakis and Senator Lloyd Bontsen (ought a hard battle in the race lor the presidency, but were de- feated by Republican party nominees. Seventeen ♦