"I'm fed up with the way our country is being run," says Bryan J. Stone '93. "I'm seeing whether I want to remain indifferent. Abstention should be on the ballot rather that simply not going to the polls."

Others are equally disillusioned with the election, saying that President Bush, who has not yet announced his bid for re-election, is guaranteed to win a second term.

"I am pretty cynical," says Anna W. Poon '93. "Bush will win regardless because of foreign policy."

"It's Bush's race to lose," says Joseph B. Nadol '95. "The popularity from the Gulf War is still carrying him over."

Says Traci R. Manning '95, "This is only going to be a practice run for any of them that want to run in '96 because none of them have a chance."

"I think that there's no way the Republicans will lose unless a major catastrophe occurs in the next three months," says Chris J. Crick '95.

Even those who think Bush is not guaranteed victory say that the pool of Democratic candidates is inadequate.

"Is Bush beatable? Yes. But by who's up there? No. He needs to be beat," says Lydia Z. Dyett '93.

One undergraduate offers some advice as to how a Democrat can run a successful candidate against the Republicans.

Carol L. Markowitz '93, who says she favors either Harkin or New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, who has not declared candidacy, says, "The Democrats shouldn't be wimpy. The Republicans play hardball. They're slimy but we're living in a slimy nation and the Democrats have to be slimy to win."

Before students choose a favorite candidate, they say, they must learn more about the contenders as the campaigns progress. Those interviewed say their decisions will be based more on the news media and televised debates than on candidates' speeches.

"I will not get my information from the propaganda of the candidates," says Pearson.

Lou B. Lemos '95 says he has a different method of evaluating candidates. "I'm sort of an anarchist. I might read papers. I try to avoid TV as much as possible," he says.

Supporters Extol Candidates' Virtues

Despite the indecision among many students, some have chosen a candidate to support, and those who have say they feel strongly about their choice.