HIGH LIFE / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Candidates Capture Future Voters Too

High Life recently asked a group of its student reporters to ask five classmates the following question: “Given the opportunity to vote Tuesday, who would be your choice--and why--in the upcoming presidential election?”

Results of the informal poll: President George Bush received 40 endorsements, Democratic contender Bill Clinton 36, independent Ross Perot 20, and six students said they wouldn’t vote for any of the candidates.

The following is a sampling of political views of Orange County’s teen-agers.

“Bush, because he is a proven leader. He has had so many ideas for the betterment of the nation, but they have been shot down by the liberal Democratic Congress.”

Kory Kramer, 16, sophomore, Santa Margarita

“Clinton, because he cares for our generation. I agree with him on almost every issue. He has the best chance of anybody to turn this country around.”

Scott Judd, 17, senior, Troy

“Bush, because rocking the boat while we’re trying to bail out the country will only quicken our demise.”

Peter Stradinger, 16, junior, El Toro

“Clinton, because I’m pretty fed up with the Republicans. They have done their jobs, and it’s time for someone else to have a chance.”

Clint Chavez, 17, senior, Cypress

“Perot, because it would be nice to have an honest politician who knows exactly how to get us back on our feet again.”

Tammy Brockman, 17, senior, Los Alamitos

“Bush has a lot of qualities that I like. He is a Christian, is for family values and against abortion. He’s for morals. He’s also not as tax-happy as others.”

Jamie Van Dreumel, 16, junior, Southern California Christian

“Clinton, because I like his college idea. This enables anyone to go to college even if they can’t pay for it. All you have to do to pay for it is to serve in the Army for two years.”

Kiki McAulay, 15, sophomore, Fullerton

“What this country needs is a radical change. Bush and Clinton would probably carry on ‘politics as usual.’ Perot is the only one that would bring about a great change, good or bad.”

Nemanja Isailovic, 14, sophomore, Villa Park

“Bush, because I can’t trust Clinton. He seems so fake. Bush is also pro-life. I like that.”

Caroline Kim, 16, junior, Ocean View

“Clinton, because he plans to help the education department.”

Priscilla Gonzalez, 17, senior, Bolsa Grande

“Bush, because he knows what he’s doing and you can trust him. Do you want taxes raised when your parents have to pay for college?”

Jason Cho, 16, senior, Servite

“Clinton, all the way. He has an excellent nationwide health care program that’s been proven to work. And he brought the state of Arkansas from being one of the worst in the nation in health care and education to being one of the best.”

Steve Picchione, 17, senior, Pacifica

“The main issue today in the United States is the economy, and Perot is the only one that can lead our nation back into economic prosperity through his business-oriented background.”

Dave Blaisdell, 16, junior, Mission Viejo

?????/ “I really want to vote for Perot, but I’m afraid voting for Perot will take a vote away from Bush, and I really don’t like Clinton.”

Kenny Hall, 17, senior, Esperanza

“Bush, because it seems like he has a solid plan. He made some mistakes, but no one else knows what they’re talking about.”

Cielo De La Paz, 16, junior, Connelly

“Clinton, because Bush is living in the past, and Perot, well, he’s got some nice witticisms, but what is he really going to do?”

Ellen King, 16, junior, Valencia

“Our recovery is already in progress--President Bush has done better with the United States than Bill and Hillary (have done with) Arkansas.”

Morgan Gardner, 16, sophomore, Newport Harbor

“Clinton, because he’s more concerned with the middle class. Perot is a joke, and in the four years that Bush has been President, he didn’t do much for our economy.”

Helen Park, 16, junior, Dana Hills

“Bush, then impeach him in favor of Dan Quayle.”

Ben Rada, 17, senior, Los Alamitos

“Clinton, because I love Al Gore.”

Mohammed Bina, 17, senior, Valencia

“Bush, because he did a lot for us like during the Gulf War.”

Sophorn Keo, 16, sophomore, Kennedy

“Clinton, because a raise in taxes is necessary for the rich and medical aid should be given the poor. Clinton is younger and is not so out of touch.”

Todd Miller, 17, senior, El Toro

“Bush, because I think that he has a good plan to redo what he’s done in the past.”

December Lagos, 13, freshman, Rosary

“Clinton knows what’s up. Bush is full of it. We need a man who knows that he needs to stay out of a woman’s decision (on abortion).”

Amy Turner, 17, senior, Newport Harbor

“Bush, because this country is going down the drain, and if the other two are elected, it will go down the drain faster than it would if George was reelected.”

Jeremy Anderson, 18, senior, Liberty Christian

“Clinton, because four more years of Bush, or with Perot the egomaniac, is not what I have in mind.”

Mike Durby, 17, senior, Ocean View

“Bush, because he is the best person for President.”

Kris Petersen, 18, senior, Orange Lutheran

“Clinton, because he’s a ‘90s man. He’s into sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.”

Danielle Cordova, 16, junior, Santa Margarita

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What do children of divorce want their parents to know?

Responses gathered by Kelly Maakestad (Bolsa Grande), Heather Cox (Connelly), Jessica Hulsey (Cypress), Tina Toochinda (Dana Hills), Traci McCrimmon (El Toro), Kelly Fullerton (Esperanza), Brian Singer (Fullerton), Abby Fung (Kennedy), Yvonne Cook (Liberty Christian), Trisha Ginsburg (Los Alamitos), Kent Jancarik (Mission Viejo), Dan Eastmond (Newport Harbor), Susanna Lee (Ocean View), MaryAlice Perez (Orange Lutheran), Diana Mueller (Pacifica), Lara Lagos (Rosary), Katie Elftmann (Santa Margarita), Henry York (Servite), Rosalind Blames (Southern California Christian), Zachary Sifuentes (Troy), Analisa Castro (Valencia) and Darice Liu (Villa Park).