Crimson Conversations meets candidates

SGA presidential candidates Cason Kirby and Stephen Saucier faced off for the first time Monday night on The Capstone 90.7 FM's "Crimson Conversations," hosted by Corbin Martin, and the topics discussed ranged from platform ideas to arrest records.

Kirby, SGA vice president for student affairs, said he's running because he thinks he's the candidate who's best able to help advance the University.

"I really decided I wanted to be SGA president a few weeks ago," Kirby said. "I had run it over in my head for a while, trying to decide if I really want to make that huge commitment, and I've always felt a passion for public service."

Both candidates were asked why they should be elected. Saucier said his wide variety of support showed he would be a president more in touch with campus.

"I don't want to discourage Mr. Kirby, and really I hate talking about myself, but being involved in organizations beyond [the] SGA throughout my entire college career has set me at an advantage, in that I have contacts in all aspects in student life," Saucier said. "Even in my campaign this year being supported by a lot of different groups."

Kirby said he thinks he can accomplish more with his SGA background.

"I'm running because I think experience counts, and I really think I have what it takes to step in on April 1, the day the new officers are sworn in, to make real progress and really do things that benefit all students from the beginning," Kirby said.

Kirby was also asked about the existence of the Machine, a select coalition of traditionally white fraternities and sororities that chooses candidates to support in SGA elections.

"I want to use this opportunity to make something very clear to everyone listening and everyone at this university: the SGA is something I take very seriously, and I feel I have a commitment and I should be held accountable from every student of this university, but I take orders from no one and I want to make that perfectly clear," said Kirby, a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Kirby said he has run two campaigns and has never broken a campaign rule.

"Aside from that, if I can believe what I read in The Crimson White and hear around here it's all a pretty big secret anyways," Kirby said.

When asked whether he had any connections with the movers and shakers of policy at the Capstone, Saucier said he is working on gaining more connections.

"I have several friends within leadership positions in the Career Center, the business department," he said. "I'm working on getting some more connections within the University of Alabama."

The candidates also said they felt confident after having finished the hour-long radio show.

"I think it went very well, it was good to have a conversation with Stephen and just exchange some ideas," Kirby said.

"It went very well, I'm still very optimistic," Saucier said.

Saucier said during the interview he decided to run because of SGA President R.B. Walker's arrest in in the late fall of 2007.

"What really made me convinced that I wanted to run for president was R.B. Walker being arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct last year, which made me think that students deserved someone who they could trust in office," Saucier said.

Each candidate's campaign manager said they felt confident after the show.

"I felt the conversation went very well; both candidates had obvious strengths," said Jacob Summers, Saucier's campaign manager. "Stephen spoke very honestly and openly. While he may not have the experience, I believe the students will relate with that honesty and openness."

Richard Byrd, a junior majoring in management and Kirby's campaign manager, said his campaign is in good shape.

"I think we have a better candidate, and that's not saying anything against Stephen," he said.

Walker responds to Saucier comments

Walker said students have the right to seek the SGA presidency for any reason.

"But I hope that for the sake of the student body [Saucier] does have more of a reason to run than just that," he said.