As a board, we have always viewed our charge as that of representing the voice and the interests of students at the University of Wisconsin. In this time of war abroad and a national economy in flux, the leader of this nation will have tremendous impact on our lives as students and our lives as graduates and citizens of this country. To that end, we believe John Kerry is the most qualified to hold the Democratic Party’s nomination.

In this season of media deluge, we must caution voters against the prevalent phenomenon of political bandwagoning woven throughout the evolution of this race. Not two months ago, Howard Dean had been all but anointed as the new flag bearer of the Democratic Party. This notion has been heartily turned on its head in mere weeks, and we hasten voters to examine candidates on their merits, not merely the political expedience of any candidate’s perceived electability or momentum. While this race seems squarely in the hands of John Kerry at this point, the one constant throughout the history of American politics is undoubtedly that anything can happen.

Kerry’s record of service in the United States Navy is without question a distinguishing factor between the Massachusetts Senator and all other contenders in the race. In an age where American military might is being tested around the globe, we heartily endorse the notion of a proven war hero in command of those of our generation under arms. As Kerry himself has put it, in his administration Americans will be confident that when the Commander in Chief makes the decision to send our generation around the world to fight and die, Kerry alone could assure loved ones of those lost he knows firsthand the depth and gravity of their sacrifice. Kerry’s experience on the frontlines of battle, wearing the uniform of this country, makes him an extremely attractive candidate during a war-time campaign.

Kerry has been the candidate most able to present specific, pragmatic solutions to the problems currently facing the nation. As opposed to Dean’s idealism and stubborn insistence on policies sure to ring hallow outside his hard core following (such as repealing Bush’s tax cuts) and Edwards’ vague populist assertions that rarely extend beyond his notion of “two Americas,” we believe Kerry’s ideas stand the greatest chance of negotiating Congress and exercising real positive impact on the lives of Americans.

Most specifically, Kerry’s plans to handle the critical economic situation facing American higher education will resonate most clearly with American taxpayers, state governments, students and Congress alike. His proposals call for $50 billion in block grants to states specifically for the funding of higher education and bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Kerry is also offering additional child tax credits, set to match the average of in-state tuition nationwide, to enable middle class families to send their children on to post-secondary education through tax incentives. And, in a Kennedy-esque proposal, Kerry seeks to offer scholarships of full in-state tuition for those low-income students willing to dedicate two years after college to serving their communities and their country in any number of charitable organizations. We believe his proposals are more detailed and pragmatic than Edwards and Dean, respectively; whose plans fail to take into account the broad issues facing higher education funding in our country by merely offering one to one assistance to individual students, a function more aptly handled by state and local governments and private charities.

The other pillars of this race, as we see it, are plans for economic and job growth at home. Kerry’s proposals to promote economic growth by holding the line on middle class taxes, as opposed to Dean’s full repeal of Bush’s tax breaks, are sound for an economy in need of small business innovation and a healthy middle class. Additionally, as he mentioned in Sunday night’s Wisconsin debate, Kerry acknowledges the economic reality that this budget cannot and need not be fully balanced in four years; any such proposal would have the adverse affect of stifling growth.

Kerry has distinguished himself from the field in the four arenas we believe students find most crucial in this race ? minimizing threats of terror, finding peace in Iraq, prioritizing higher education at home and finding places within the economy for fresh college grads.

We encourage students to vote in this and other key races on the ballot today. Any political sentiment is useless without action.