 "Photo: Anna Quezada, Staff Photographer")
It's election year, and one California gubernatorial candidate is exercising her right to free speech to try to "Shock the Vote."
Nearly 100 San Diego State students, faculty and staff members gathered yesterday afternoon on the Free Speech Steps to watch adult film star Mary Carey rally support for her campaign for governor in this year's election.
Carey, who ran as an independent and placed 10th out of 135 candidates during California's recall election in 2003, said she is not running as a publicity stunt and is "more than just a blonde with big boobs."
Male SDSU students yelled, "She's got my vote!" while female students such as nursing junior Kara Ong said the whole thing was "strange."
And university administrators who were part of the crowd seemed just as intrigued as students.
The crowd listened as Carey said that if elected, she would like to legalize marijuana, lower taxes, promote hybrid cars and keep strip clubs open 24 hours a day.
Dean of Students Darlene Willis, who stood in the audience, said Carey's opinions give students another viewpoint.
"Free speech is very important," Willis said. "We're an institution of higher education, and if we can't debate here, where can it be done?"
Other students did not find Carey's appearance on campus to be tasteful.
"She's just making a joke of the whole election," said Allison Rivantez, a biology freshman. "There are actually serious issues involved in running the state."
But Dave Cummings, who is one of the adult film industry's oldest stars, was on hand to support Carey and express his distaste for many of today's politicians.
"Some elected officials are letting their religious beliefs direct our lives and direct some of their politics," Cummings said. "As Americans and most importantly as voters … we need to let the politicians understand that we do not want them to dictate what goes on in our private lives."
Associated Students Vice President of External Affairs Khouloud Elmasri said Cummings and Carey's presence on campus comes at a time when A.S. and the university are looking to rewrite the free speech policy on campus to be more open for students.
"It's a little hard to take her seriously, but everyone has their own views and beliefs, so it's good for her for speaking out on them," Elmasri said. "She's just a candidate and is doing everything she can to gain the support of the public."
Carey said she is not being endorsed by the adult film industry and her main reason for visiting SDSU is to get people to register and vote.
"A lot of you guys aren't (registered), and I mean, I wasn't until I voted for myself," she said. "It's actually really important."
As the A.S. councilmember who pushes for higher voter registration and student involvement in statewide legislation, Elmasri said she is happy about Carey's encouragement for students to be involved in political affairs.
"She's probably one of the few individuals that have come on campus and have tried to get people to register to vote, and I can support that," Elsmasri said. "I'm trying to get people out there, too."
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