Clueless.

That's the first word that comes to mind when referring to the students campaigning for next year's ASUA cabinet.

Of the 23 candidates vying for the 13 executive and senatorial spots, there are maybe, MAYBE, five who actually deserve the job. And that's being generous.

Take it from the staff that is supposed to endorse these students tomorrow.

Every year, the Wildcat Endorsements Board conducts interviews of all prospective candidates. Each person is asked to explain his or her platform, and then the Wildcat board follows up with a few questions - a fairly simple process.

Basically, those interviews are a candidate's chance to shine - they didn't.

Here's a small sampling of exactly where this argument is stemming from:

·Candidates who don't know how much the budget cuts are - but want to focus on helping students deal with them.

·Campaigns pushing planting greener grass on the Mall - a plan that has already been approved as a part of the Alumni Plaza.

·Platforms centered on erecting more lights on campus in a city that opposes all forms of light pollution.

·Students looking to gain a student section in the McKale Center even though President Peter Likins has declared it virtually impossible to do so.

The list goes on.

Not to mention that candidates have run on these types of platforms for years, rarely making headway on any of them. In other words, students have been trying to get student seating in McKale for quite some time and there still isn't a student section. Maybe getting a student section for basketball isn't feasible. Food for thought.

Bear in mind, the Wildcat realizes it would be a disservice not to publish information about those running for office, so the student body can cast an educated vote. However, when barely 3 percent - that's right, 1,100 out of 35,000 - of the student body even bothers to turn out for the primary election vote, it comes as no shock that some of these people running for office have gotten as far as they have.

Although a university's student government doesn't mave the power to make every decision, it's certainly supposed to make an impact on the issues that affect students. Being a member of a governing body means being a voice for the people, the bullhorn that lobbies on behalf of the masses.

But that credo can't even be applied to the candidates who will soon represent the students of the University of Arizona.

To be fair, not every person running for ASUA is completely apathetic. There are the few who have done their research and actually understand the issues that impact the university. But it takes a team, not an individual, to represent the students in the way they deserve to be represented.

And so the Wildcat's endorsements shall be published, and maybe this time around 2,000 of you will actually turn out to vote. But be advised - most of the candidates you are voting for have a fraction of the know-how to effectively function as an executive officer or senator.

Just don't say we didn't warn you.