Scores of students and reporters flocked outside of the Hunter West building to catch a glimpse of Democratic-mayoral candidate Ruth Messinger who is seeking additional support after being unable to muster 40% needed to win the Democratic primary. Now faced in a run-off by the Rev. Al Sharpton, Messinger is trying to continue on campaign promise “Education.”
Blasting Mayor Giuliani on his cuts in CUNY which have led to a $750 tuition increase, Messenger promised she is willing to fight for CUNY and led the students in the chant, “CUNY Yes, Cuts No.”
While often dealing in generalities, Messinger specially stated that she wanted restoration in funding for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and plans to pay for this by cutting $1 billion in “government waste.”
While refusing to comment on the search for a new CUNY Chancellor, Messinger openly promised to put pro-CUNY representatives on the Board of Trustees and promised ”Herman Badillio will not be one of them.” Messenger began to take questions from the students, which supplied her campaign with the photo-op moment her campaign staff wanted: no hostility, a smiling Ruth talking to the kids.
The only spark shown in the crowd is when a lone nut, now identified as a member of SLAM! questioned Messinger’s commitment to higher education. He confronted Messinger on the Democratic Party’s prior position on CUNY and pointed out that the majority of the budget cuts occurred when Democrats controlled both municipal and state governments. Messinger could only respond that she has a “good record” on CUNY and had visited Hunter College on three separate occasions.
The SLAM! member’s comment did succeed in turning the discussion around
as students demanded clearer answers to their concerns. But Messinger
played the ever cool politician and ducked out after a short press conference.
Happy Trails!!!
