Xpress Yourself

Week 4: In your mind, what is the difference between Republicans and Democrats?

	For the next few weeks, the Times X-Team will be asking area students a different question each week about the upcoming election. We want to hear your views on these questions, so please share them in this guest book.

Liberal. Conservative. For abortion rights. Antiabortion. Left. Right. All of those might be differences between Democrats and Republicans. But bay area students have some other ideas. "I think the difference is clearly stated in the elephant and donkey. Donkeys are just irrational stubborn mules and Republicans are stable," says Esther Cameron, 15, a 10th-grader at St. Petersburg Catholic High.

Or maybe it's the other way around: "Republicans are stubborn and Democrats are honest," says 10th-grader Mike Guilinano, 16, of Countryside High in Clearwater.

Some students think the two parties actually are quite similar. "I don't think there is any difference," said Nicola Gray, 15, a 10th-grader at King High in Tampa. "Republicans and Democrats are the same to me."

Check out what other kids have to say about this issue below. And listen to Magic 94.9 (WWRM-FM) beginning at 7 a.m. today to hear X-Team member Austin Arias talk about the question on the Morning Show with Chadd and Kristi.

The 2004-05 X-Team - Lauren Adams, Austin Arias, Traci Bexley, Sarah Collins, Anna Costello, Andrew DeLong, Alice Feigel, Rohini Komarla, Jane McInnis, Taylor Pashley, Krista Pontzer, Travis Radke, Sarah Tareco and Sarah Wilkerson - compiled the answers and took the photos.

"Republicans are more prepared to help the people, and the Democrats take their time and are slower to help the people."

Morgan Douglass, 12, seventh grade, St. Paul's School, Clearwater

"Democrats go for minority and Republicans don't. Democrats look at different sides and Republicans stick with their own kind."

DeNae Roberts, 16, 10th grade, Zephyrhills High

"The only difference is their opinions. They're all human beings, but they have opinions that make the difference."

Daniel Benjamin, 14, eighth grade, Safety Harbor Middle

Cristina Gonzalez, 17, 12th grade, Central High, Brooksville

"Democrats are a more progressive party (that) supports the people . . . Republicans are more interested in lowering governmental involvement and cutting taxes for big businesses."

Kevin Glass, 16, 11th grade, Seminole High

Republicans seem to be more conservative . . . They think more about what the people can do for the government than what the government can do for them. Democrats seem to be more liberal . . . and also are interested in what they can do for the people as well as what the people can do for the government."

Vicki Stefanou, 16, 11th grade, Pinellas Park High

"A Democrat is more focused with aspects of life, such as abortion and gay marriage, while a Republican is more concerned with patriotism and being the best country in the world."

"I don't think there IS a difference between a Democrat and a Republican. No two people have the same "pro-life" views or the same "Let's have a better economy" view. When it come down to voting, it's not about who is a Democrat or who's a Republican. It's about who will run our country the best."

Bridgette Cram, 16, 11th grade, Ridgewood High, New Port Richey

"It's just a contest for power. Their ideals are whatever gets them the most votes."

Angel Everett, 15, 10th grade, King High, Tampa "Republicans favor people helping themselves and Democrats are more for giving free handouts. Republicans are more nationalistic and are in favor of supporting American needs . . . above international needs. Democrats seem to pander to foreign powers."

Grant Bussinger, 16, 11th grade, Ridgewood High, New Port Richey

"Democrats try to help other people and Republicans try to help other people help themselves."

Cindy Radomski, 15, 10th grade, St. Petersburg Catholic High

"I think Republicans are good cause they have George Bush. But I like Bill Clinton because he gets away with a lot of stuff."

Jake Calhoun, 15, 10th grade, Zephyrhills High

"I don't think of them as Democrats or Republicans; I look at the issues behind them. Like with Kerry and Bush (regarding abortion), I look behind the specific stereotypes. I look more at the issues rather than what's the difference between the two."

Megan Piccinini, 16, 11th grade, East Lake High

"Democrats spend money and Republicans save it."

Samantha Walsh, 14, ninth grade, Central High, Brooksville

"Sometimes Democrats seem more tolerant toward people's differences."

Jenny Conti, 15, 10th grade, St. Petersburg Catholic High

"I'm not exactly sure about that. I'm only 11."

Hannah Fregger, 11, sixth grade, River Ridge Middle, Port Richey

Chris Wilson, 16, 10th grade, Countryside High, Clearwater

"A Republican is more of a representative of the more wealthy America, while the Democrat is more like the regular American person."

Ali Nuhi, 16, 10th grade, Palm Harbor University High IB

"The Republicans want to keep the soldiers in Iraq, and the Democrats want to take the soldiers out of Iraq."

Christie Nowels, 12, seventh grade, St. Paul's School, Clearwater

"A Democrat is more liberal and focuses on more of what's happening in the country and a Republican focuses on foreign affairs."

Jimmy Grefenstette, 16, 11th grade, East Lake High

"Truthfully, I don't really find any difference between them. . . . They just kind of go against each other for their own enjoyment."

Mat Antonelli, 18, 11th grade, East Lake High

"The Democrats care more about health care. The Republicans care more about terrorism."

Taylor Grover, 12, seventh grade, St. Paul's School, Clearwater

"Democrats are more compassionate, well I guess as compassionate as politicians can be."

Allison Schnur, 18, 12th grade, St. Petersburg High

Here's the rest of today's Xpress