Running for the Dane County Board of Supervisors has provided several students the distinct advantage of learning first-hand how political campaigns work. Congratulations must be given to Ashok Kumar: The frontrunner in last Tuesday's primary election not only ran away with the vote, but mastered the difficult campaign tactics of sleaze and bullying from the shadier side of politics.
Kumar touts his dedicated band of volunteers for his success. Yet if one takes a close look at the students behind the shiny 'Vote Ashok Kumar' buttons, it is hard to decipher the difference between these so-called progressive activists and average local garage band groupies. Star-struck and in awe of what little false celebrity power he holds, the overwhelmingly na??ve underclassmen female corps of helpers idealistically spouts whatever words Kumar puts in their mouths.
The practice of politicians having adoring underlings of the opposite sex is nothing new. Bill Clinton nearly perfected it to an art form. Yet attempting to persuade female constituents with a sleazy wink and a smile while going door-to-door on all-girls floors in the dorms is not just attempted political seduction, it's blatantly against regulations.
In the UW-Madison Housing policy, under the Promotional Activities section's subheading 'Campaigning' it states: 'Only University agencies, residence hall student organizations/interest groups/committees, and registered student organizations are permitted to engage in political campaigning with limitations in the residence halls. The details of this policy are available in the Residence Life Office in each hall. Door-to-door campaigning is prohibited.'
Kumar is well-aware of this policy, but, as I witnessed firsthand, still has been removed from UW Housing while campaigning several times. This despite an initial encounter with housefellows and an additional encounter with a Residence Life Coordinator and several more housefellows, both incidents I witnessed.
Some may call it perseverance, but what escapes notice is that he long ago crossed the fine line between perseverance and outright annoyance.
It is bad enough that students are barraged with a constant stream of political pamphlets and propaganda everywhere in Madison. The UW-Madison Housing policy is in place to ensure a haven from the havoc of political persuasive messages. Entering students' dorm rooms and refusing to leave until the residents have signed a petition in support of his campaign not only violates UW Housing policy, but students' personal freedom and right to privacy.
If Kumar truly wishes to convince his fellow undergraduates that he will fight for their rights, he must first respect their right to live in peace, free from political badgering. I am certain that a significant number of students signed his petition only to make him leave them alone, and I fully doubt that most others questioned him further on his policies past his favorite and most-used word: progressive.
I have nothing wrong with Kumar being progressive. I hold several of the same social justice views on public policy. However, he should strive to explain his precise definition of progressivism before forcing unknowing voters to sign up in support. His overzealous abrasiveness and inability to respect students who have either had enough of his ramble or do not agree with his point of view have completely taken away any endorsement I possibly would have made for this candidate.
Maybe Kumar really does stand for a better plan of social justice. Perhaps he will make a difference if he is elected to the Dane County Board. In the meantime, it is wholly unconvincing for Kumar to claim himself as a fresh start for Dane County when he utilizes the some of the oldest tricks in the political book to win popular approval.
