U. students, profs await Louisiana gov. election

People across the nation will hold their noses and cross their fingers as Louisiana elects a governor tomorrow. Democrat Edwin Edwards, a former Louisiana governor who has been indicted on fraud charges in the past, and Republican David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, face off in a race which experts say is too close to call. Duke's candidacy has sparked national controversy because of his past political views and anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric and actions. Many professors and students at the University will be among those following the race with great interest. Some live in Louisiana and have friends and family who may be directly affected. Others are watching with scholarly interest. History Professor Robert Engs, an expert in Southern history and the Civil War, said yesterday that the widespread support for Duke is a "frightening" example of continuing racism in the U.S. "I am appalled that a person like Duke with a background like Duke's could gain support from so many people," Engs said. "It is a signal which most Americans should hear that racism is a legitimate concern." But Engs said that Louisiana is in a somewhat unique situation, both economically and politically. "Louisiana politics, from the time it became a state, have been very different from the rest of the country," Engs said. "[The voters there] can't be intimidated or influenced by the rest of the country." "[Louisiana] is a depressed state," Engs added. "A lot of people tend to direct their anger towards people who are different than themselves." If Duke is elected, many have questioned what his actual impact will be. Engs predicted that Duke will use the post of governor as a spring-board for a presidential campaign. "He wants to be governor, but doesn't want to serve as governor," Engs said. Baton Rouge native and Wharton freshman Scott Ashworth said that he would be surprised if Duke won the election, adding that he did not vote absentee because he felt both candidates were so bad. Ashworth also attributed part of Duke's success to the dire economic conditions in the state and said one of the only results from his election might be the loss of some tourism. Wharton senior David Kaplan, who is from New Orleans, said that he thinks the black vote will be very important in deciding the election. "It is pretty tight from what I understand," Kaplan said. "[The outcome] just depends on who wakes up and gets out . . . If the black population votes then he won't even get into office." Kaplan said he voted for Edwards, whom he called "basically a good man." Most of the possible national affects from Duke's candidacy have already become apparent in large media attention to the campaign. Kaplan said that he felt the election was indicative of an anti-establishment mood across the country, adding that Louisiana is not an anomaly.

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