MOUNT VERNON — Cornell College politics professor Craig Allin sees at least two lessons surfacing from the 2000 presidential election, which is still undecided until a recount of votes in Florida.
1. More people should vote. “It’s a massive commentary on the apathy of the American people,” he says.
2. “Third party candidacies that position themselves to the left of the Democrats or the right of the Republicans are almost certain to do damage to their own policy interests. The best way for third parties to affect change is to shape the large party which is nearest to their interests.”
Allin predicts Republican George W. Bush will carry Florida and the final electoral vote tally will be 271 for Bush and 267 for Democratic candidate Al Gore.
Allin specializes in American government and politics; wilderness areas, national parks and U.S. policy, politics, management and law; and U.S. Supreme Court decisions, particularly on constitutional issues. Earlier this fall he taught “Campaigns and Elections.” He is an author of op-eds and source for articles that have appeared in national publications including Los Angeles Times Magazine, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Atlanta Journal and Constitution and Chicago Tribune. He wrote a book, “The Politics of Wilderness Preservation,” and has authored articles on national parks and wilderness areas for the World Book Encyclopedia and similar reference texts.