After meeting with all of the candidates and carefully reviewing their respective platforms and public statements, The Hatchet’s editorial board endorses Logan Dobson for the office of executive vice president. Over all other EVP candidates, Dobson has the necessary parliamentary expertise and drive for advocacy that will maximize his effectiveness in the role.
Dobson is well known for his popular “Inside the SA” blog, which frequently scrutinizes the minutiae of SA politics. In the Student Association Senate, he is generally recognized as an authority on procedural rules, as well as an outspoken advocate for a number of issues. Both of these are perfect qualifications for the EVP role. Time and again, he has been critical of the self-obsessed nature of the SA, and is often a voice of reason where few are to be found. His opposition to last year’s Unity Ball and the more recent constitutional referendum were both instances in which Dobson found himself in a vocal, unwavering and correct minority position. Similarly, his platform encompasses key issues, and he has the institutional knowledge to realize his goals.
On the other hand, the thing Dobson is best known for also represents his biggest weakness. After years of being an outspoken critic of the SA, (and possibly using the term “tool” more than anyone in living memory) he has a long record of rhetoric that could haunt him with both his fellow SA members and administrators.
The pool of EVP candidates is not without strong competition. Sophomore Josh Goldstein has a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing GW, and he has shown a deep interest in the experience of student organizations that must deal with the SA. Nonetheless, we hold reservations about Goldstein’s capacity to execute the true functions of the EVP. His platform, while extensive, is cumbersome, and his inability to narrow down priority ideas is either an act of pandering to various interests or represents a na’veté about the role of EVP.
Junior Rob Maxim is the sole candidate who has not been an SA senator, although he has had experience as an SA secretary. We believe this experience fills any perceived void in his record, and he has also been a member of a number of student organization and activities on campus. In the end, Maxim would probably make a good EVP, but in comparison, he simply did not have the fluency regarding issues other candidates demonstrated.
Of the EVP candidates, junior Jon Binetti was the most underwhelming. Although Binetti is candid and surprisingly genuine, those are about his only positives. His platform was undeveloped, and contained a glaring inaccuracy relating to the schedules of Funger and Duques Halls during finals weeks. By and large, Binetti showed a complete disconnect with the way the University operates.
There has been discussion about the fact that Lifton and Dobson are both in the same fraternity, paired with a tired use of the phrase “Sigma Chi Superticket.” While they may both be in the same Greek-letter organization, both Lifton and Dobson were the clear choices for our endorsement, each on their own merit.
We believe Dobson’s unparalleled knowledge of the SA’s legislative processes and his impressive record of fighting for transparency make him the best choice for EVP. Vote for Logan Dobson for executive vice president 2010-2011.
