University of Texas El Paso - Flowsheet Yearbook (El Paso, TX)

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Reagan aud Kogew Ke - elected Democratic inter-party disputes and separatism paved a smooth road for Ronald Reagan’s re-election to the presidency of the United States. From the first, the Republican party was united behind Reagan and his con- servative brand of politics. They moved with one face to the public with little dissent over the 1984 party platform. The Democrats, however, entertained the public with back-fighting, political manuevering and mud-slinging. The Democratic convention was marked by a gathering of party members, with posi- tions ranging from fiscal conservative- ness to gay rights, who refused to compromise on any issue. Colorado Senator Gary Hart led the fiscal | conservatives in a cry for a new order. With the slogan, ‘“The Candidate with New lIdeas,’’ Hart encouraged comparisions of himself to the late John F. Kennedy. The Reverend Jesse Jackson brought back the gold old days of barnstorming politics. Surrounded by his multi-racial Rainbow Coalition, Jack- son’s fiery speeche s shook the country and sought, in vain, to revive its political soul, However, it was Walter ‘‘Fritz’’ Mondale who captured the Democratic nomination. Mondale was an ‘‘old guard’’ candidate whose nondescript character could not overcome a media-oriented society. Perceived as dull and whimpy, Mondale handed Reagan a 49-state landslide victory in the Novem- ber election. Perhaps the greatest highlight of the 1984 election was Mondale’s selection of Geraldine Ferraro as his vice-presiden- tial runningmate, marking the first time a woman has run for the office on a na- tional party ticket. On the local scene, Mayor Jonathan Rogers was re-elected for a second term. Elected to hold council seats were Pat Haggarty, Jimmy Goldman, Alicia Chacon, Orlando Fronseca, Ed Elsey and Suzie Azar. Student Life Dzong La 27

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; ; POLITICS KEEP EVEN THE BEST CONFUSED. Clockwise from below, Jesse Jackson shakes hands with some students during a rally. Jackson appeared twice in E] Paso, first to rally support for himself and then to gather votes for Democratic nominee Walter Mondale. Jaime Perez came to campus, along with many other local candidates, to discuss the issues and to gather support. Perez was defeated by Ed Elsy in the eastside represen- tative election. Eleanor Mondale receives flowers and applause from state representative Nancy Mc- Donald and County Judge Pat O’Rourke. Mondale came d uring the election rallies on campus to support her father, Walter Mondale. ebedete et ee Pe ee eo f 5 wv? GE Bx

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Student Life | 28 Dzong La