Students, staff evaluate
president's performance
President Bush causes debate
around campus
By Heather Mangold
City Editor
President George W. Bush has not been in office
long, but that has not stopped Purdue students and staff from forming
their opinions of him.
Patrick Mondi, vice president of the Purdue student
government, said that Bush started off his presidency well with nominations
for his presidential cabinet.
"Bush chose people who all Americans can really
look up to as examples of hard work and dedication," said Mondi.
Eric Murbach, former president of college Democrats
at Purdue, said that he agreed that Bush's cabinet nominations were
adequate but still had a few concerns.
Controversy has risen over Bush's nomination and
appointment of Sen. John Ashcroft, R-MS, for the Attorney General position.
"I think he generally wants to be the Attorney
General and enforce laws in a fair way, but I think that his previous
history has shown that while his concern may be genuine, he has a tendency
not to follow through with his concern," said Murbach.
Rosalee Clawson, an assistant professor of political
science, said that she felt that the president's decision to choose
Ashcroft was strategic in that he had formerly been a member of the
senate. She said it would have been difficult for the senate to vote
against his nomination.
Personal character is not an issue that has only
been of concern for cabinet members. President Bush has already been
compared to former president Bill Clinton.
Mondi said that he feels that Americans have now
had time to reflect on Clinton's legacy. Mondi said he thought Clinton
had a lot of promise for Americans, but since leaving office, his controversial
exploits made the nation realize why they had been unsure about him
from the beginning. Mondi said he approves of Bush's qualities in the
short time that he's spent in the White House.
"Bush has shown us as having high standards and
good personal conduct," said Mondi.
Murbach, a Democrat, disagrees and said that it
is too soon to make a comparison between the two presidents.
"You cannot compare eight years to one month, in
order to make a character comparison," said Murbach. "Not only is it
unfair, it's unwanted."
Murbach is also pessimistic about President Bush's
tax proposal.
In a press release, Bush said that his tax proposal
was directed towards individuals and small businesses. This college
Democrat disagrees.
"Quite frankly I think it stinks," said Murbach.
"You've heard it before, they give the most money to the wealthiest
10 percent and the people who really need the money aren't getting the
money that they need."
Murbach said that Americans could be receiving
the same percentage of their income for tax relief, but it amounts to
little for the less wealthy population.
In Bush's tax relief proposal, families with children
would receive $1,000 per child under the plan. If implemented, the plan
would end the death tax, reduce the marriage penalty tax and expand
tax incentives for charity.
Mondi said that all Americans are ready for tax
relief.
"With our economy softening, it (Bush's plan) strengthens
the case for a large tax cut across the board," said Mondi.
Clawson said that the most important thing to realize
about Bush's tax plan is that he has carried through with his campaign
promises but has doubts for the plan's future.
"He probably won't be entirely successful because
it has to go through congress, which is split. It depends on how much
opposition is put forward," said Clawson.
The United States House is split nearly in half,
but not entirely. Democrats make up more of the House.
Mondi feels that Bush's actions concerning foreign
policy have been strong as well.
"He has taken strong leadership with foreign raids
and has had a lot more focus than many people would have though," said
Mondi.
Mondi said that he thinks that Americans feel as
though their foreign policy issues are in good hands.
While Murbach disagrees about the general foreign policy abilities of
Bush, he said he does think he has done moderately well so far.
"I think Bush, in general, is weak on foreign policy,"
said Murbach.
Murbach went on to say that the situation with
Iraq would probably get worse, no matter who is president.
"He did the same thing Gore probably would have
done," said Murbach.
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