We went into the first-ever direct election planning to endorse a Student Government Association presidential candidate. But with five days left until voting begins, we’ve come up empty-handed.
When forced to choose between Christopher Bourne and Joey Fiore, we find little basis for a choice. After more than a week of campaigning and two debates, Fiore and Bourne have failed to distinguish themselves from one another. Both candidates want to eliminate the “NU Shuffle,” want to unite the student body, and, out of 42 other options, admire former United States President Theodore Roosevelt. Their campaigns are built on vague promises of building a better Northeastern. It appears Fiore and Bourne have become politicians, but now what?
With only five days left to win over the hearts and minds of the student body, Fiore and Bourne have employed the ever-so-effective campaign strategy of near silence. Except for the three debates scheduled for this week, the student body has neither seen nor heard much from the candidates. Students should be absolutely saturated with information about Fiore and Bourne. The two candidates have created websites and facebook groups, and although Fiore has printed business cards with his goals to hand out, it seems both have forgotten the old school campaign method of paint and posterboard.
The most upsetting aspect of this round of elections is that no one seems to be excited about it, including the candidates. While watching them explain their so-called “plans” for the betterment of Northeastern at the debate last night, we have to wonder if Fiore and Bourne are simply running because they happened to be nominated. There’s no excitement or vigor to what they’re saying or how they’re saying it. Is his promise to eliminate the NU Shuffle really the most exciting reason to vote for Joey Fiore? (And let’s be clear: Bourne promises the same) Is that what he really cares about? Is that even what really matters? These candidates should be passionate about this school and inspire students to be a part of it. Their ideas lack substance; their platforms are mere phrases that almost anyone would support. Not one person on this campus would be adamantly opposed to “uniting the student body,” or making SGA’s role on campus more clear, as both promise to do. These campaigns, like the candidates, don’t ring true.
On the bright side, there’s still five days left until voting begins. There are five days for them to get their acts together and reach out to the students and really demonstrate that they want the presidency. And further, to show the real innovative changes they could bring to the school. If Bourne or Fiore step up over the next week, we still have time to voice our support. As for now, the candidates seem to be taking only half of the advice of their favorite president, Teddy Roosevelt, to heart: walk softly and carry a big stick.
Both candidates seem to be walking softly, but where is the big stick?
