Candidates are dropping out, candidates are jumping in and millions are being spent. The Presidential Election of 2000 has reached full power, even though it is over a year away.

Opinions across Saint Louis University campus regarding the next millenium’s first American president vary as does interest in the election process.

“I’m too busy with school to think about that now,” said freshman Sarah Smith.

Junior Chris Avery has been watching the campaign closely especially since he worked on Gary Bauer’s campaign this past summer. Avery expects incumbent vice president Al Gore to win the Democratic nomination but “it will be very close with Bradley.”

Despite his support for Bauer, Avery feels he will not be a serious contender as he has “too conservative of a support base.”

“Barring a major screwup, the Republican nominee will be George W. Bush,” commented Political Science department chair Tim Lomperis.

Michael J. Doody, S.J. agreed. “Nothing can stop the war chest that Mr. Bush has accumulated,” Doody said.

Student Government Association president Jay Perry wishes Forbes were the Republican nominee. “He’s just a citizen and has a nonpolitical stance,” Perry said.

One major contention in many campaigns is the lack of discussing the real issues. Many students and faculty had differing opinions on what the issues will or should be this election.

“We haven’t yet faced the issue of medical care for everyone,” Doody said.

Perry guessed that the one of the issues will be abortion. “The senate should take a stand regardless of the Supreme Court, campaign finance reform and gun control.”

“I do think that foreign affairs will figure more prominently this time around,” said Lomperis.

Avery suggested the “China issue and the defeat of the Test Ban Treaty” will also play into the campaign issues.

With Elizabeth Dole’s withdrawl from the race last week, the hope of some for a female president in 2000 vanished.

“Dole made the first steps forward for a woman in the White House,” Avery said.

Lomperis said, “Bush should get Dole to be his running mate but will probably name her to a big cabinet post.”

Others held different views on the possibility of the first female president.