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Students hear from several party delegates 

Berkeley High School senior Miriam Feeley celebrated her 18th birthday on Saturday and now that she’s “legal” she said she can’t wait to cast her first vote as an adult citizen in the upcoming presidential election. But there’s one problem – she can’t make up her mind.  

“I registered months ago,” she said “I’ve been following the election really closely. I listen to National Public Radio, read the papers and watch the news regularly but I still don’t know who to vote for.” 

That is why she decided to attend a special presidential debate forum Monday afternoon in the Community Theater at Berkeley High School.  

“I hope when I walk out of here I will finally know who to vote for,” she said. 

Feeley and about 800 of her classmates poured into the theater to hear what representatives from the Republican, Democratic, Green and Reform parties had to say about education, foreign policy and their candidates’ visions for the future. 

The event was organized by student Zoe Sachs-Arellano, 16, as part of Berkeley High School spirit week and to prepare students for a mock presidential election on Thursday. 

The mock election will be conducted with the help of the Berkeley Albany Emeryville League of Women Voters. 

“I’m hoping that the event will make the mock election more spirited and help students be more informed on the issues and differences between the parties and candidates,” Sachs-Arrellano said. “Even though most of us can’t vote yet the election outcome will affect us in the coming years.” 

The event created so much “spirit” that at times it was impossible to hear panelists. 

Loud roars of approval and applause peppered every Nader and Gore representative response to questions while the Bush and Buchanan representative responses were greeted with jeers, hisses and an occasional rude comment from the high school audience. 

“Schools not jails,” shouted one student in the back of the crowded auditorium. Loud applause followed and someone else’s voice rang out: “Keep abortion legal.” 

Teachers scrambled around trying to quell the growing cacophony as Bush and Buchanan representatives shifted uncomfortably in their chairs and Gore and Nader representatives smiled patiently awaiting their next opportunity to rally their current and future supporters.  

Student Parker Robinson, 17, said that even though he’s not old enough to vote he attended the forum to familiarize himself with the issues so that he can cast an intelligent vote on Thursday at the school’s mock election. 

“Also, I just want to know what’s going on because the outcome will affect my life. Hopefully, I’ll be able to figure out who the best candidate is and convince my (voting) friends and family to cast their vote for him.” 

Megan Greenwall, 16, said she attended the forum because she’s “really politically minded” and interested in seeing the different view points of the parties. 

“I wish I could vote. If I could I’d vote Gore or Nader. Maybe we should try to get the voting age lowered to 15,” she quipped.  

The majority of the students in attendance favored Nader but many said that although they agree with Nader’s domestic policy and pro-environment position, they didn’t think he was qualified to lead the most powerful country in the world. 

Feeley, who spent several years living in Israel, said she is “very concerned” with foreign policy issues. 

“I just can’t see Nader doing well in the foreign policy area,” she said. “He’s good for communities but I honestly don’t think he could succeed in foreign affairs. I don’t see him as someone capable of ending the violence in my home country.” 

Ramona Gonzales, 17, said she thinks Nader is a “romantic” and although his ideas sound good most of them are unrealistic. 

“Nader is awesome, no doubt, but he’s not even in the race,” Gonzales said. “Gore is the only realistic choice, and I think he will focus on enough of Nader’s issues to appease the Greens.” 

After the forum, registered voter Volissia Goodwin, 18, said she is still undecided. She’s leaning toward Nader mainly because that’s who got the most cheers during the event and that’s who her friends like. 

“The biggest problem is understanding what’s really going on,” Goodwin said. “Nader finds out where the money goes and that’s good. That’s what my friends say but it’s not always clear.” 

Goodwin said the main reason she thinks young voters like herself are confused and undecided is because they’re coming from “a child’s place.”  

“We’re young and not too concerned with what goes on outside of our own world. We’re too caught up in our own lives,” she said. 

In an effort to become more informed Goodwin said that she’s planning on spending a lot of time reading the papers, watching the news and talking to her parents in the coming days. 

“My parents encourage me to make my own decisions but they’ll probably throw in a hint or two – those hints might be my deciding factor.” 

Senior Phiron Yim, 18, said she hasn’t registered to vote and didn’t want to because she feels “uncomfortable” with the level of responsibility voting requires.  

“I don’t know enough about politics and the issues,” Yim said. “I just want to sit this one out and wait until next time.” 

After attending the forum Yim said that based on what she heard and experienced she’s going to cast her mock vote for Gore.  

“He’s pro-choice and I firmly believe abortion should be the woman’s choice.” 

As for Feeley, the event was a success. 

“I’ve decided . . . finally. It’s got to be Gore. America is just not ready for Nader and Nader’s not ready for America and the world. I want world peace not just peace in the U.S.”