There probably are a lot of American political candidates that could have stayed out of hot water if they had been given a PAL, Brigham Young University-style.
Gary Hart comes to mind. So do Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Perhaps the marital infidelity and campaign finance problems of those one-time candidates never would have happened if someone had been assigned to monitor their honesty.At BYU, all students promise to be honest when they sign the Honor Code upon enrolling in school. But the ethical behavior of candidates for student body president and vice president are further guaranteed by personal monitors called presidential assistant liaisons (PALs).
"Initially, it sounded like a bad idea," admitted student Peter Miller, a candidate for BYU Student Service Association president. But, he said after meeting those assigned and working with them, he is more comfortable with the idea. He said his "pals" have been friendly and have not created any unnecessary problems.
Currently, three two-person tickets are competing for slots in this week's final elections. Voting in the primary election, conducted for the first time totally on computers, ends today. Voting for the final elections takes place Wednesday through Friday. The winners will serve as BYUSA president and vice president for 1998-99.
While candidates make promises like giving every student access to a laptop computer and establishing a rating system for off-campus housing, the PALs remain quietly in the background. Most students don't even know who they are or what they do.
Each pair of running mates has two PALs assigned to monitor and assist their campaign. The PALs are student volunteers whose job it is to ensure that candidates follow election rules set up by BYUSA's Election Committee.
"We have a responsibility to the Election Committee to see that things are fair, but we also have a responsibility to advocate for our candidates," said PAL Darcelle Watkins.
Despite the sinister-sounding nature of their jobs, PALs aren't exactly undercover operatives who follow candidates around 24 hours a day and scrutinize their every move. They do see that the rules are followed - and that proper sanctions are handed out if not - but they also try to help can-didates.
"They're not really breathing down your neck all the time," Miller said. "They just go to your campaign meetings and that sort of thing."
PALs' duties consist of things like making sure candidates don't campaign in local apartment complexes without permission; that they don't enter dormitories during improper hours; and that they don't hand out fliers or hang up signs that haven't been approved.
A four-page set of guidelines spells out what candidates can and can't do. Although they may not like all the rules, candidates don't appear to resent reminders from their PALs. In fact, most candidates say they appreciate help to stay within the rules.
"They've been very helpful, especially for us because we're the outside ticket," said presidential candidate Greg Wells.
Of the three teams vying for elected posts, Wells and running mate Kim McArthur have had the least involvement with BYUSA, and therefore the least knowledge of its rules and inner workings. Having Watkins for a PAL has been a valuable resource, McArthur said.
PALs cannot actively campaign for any candidate, not even the one they are assigned to monitor. Each PAL has a pager so the Election Committee can contact him or her to relay messages to candidates.
"I guess if you had a bad attitude, you could resent the PALs," said presidential candidate Brian Bowers, adding that he doesn't think that is the case.
PALs are privy to candidates' campaign strategies, but they are forbidden from disclosing the information to other candidates. One of the monitors' first and most important responsibilities was ensuring that candidates didn't begin campaigning too early.
Although the filing deadline was Jan. 23, candidates couldn't tell more than 10 people about their campaign until Tuesday. On that day, all the candidates announced their intentions to seek office during a special press conference.
While the viability of having PALs monitor city, county, state or national elections is doubtful, perhaps some aspects of the unique program could work in other settings. Miller, who unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Provo City Council last fall, expressed optimism that campaign monitors like the PALs might cut down on unethical behavior during elections.
The Provo City Council already is considering an ordinance that would make it a misdemeanor to make a false claim about a candidate or issue during a campaign. And who wouldn't like to forbid candidates from starting their rhetoric too early? Whether or not the idea catches on anywhere else, BYU students said the PAL program works well for them.
"I think it's a really good system because it does ensure fairness," Watkins said. "We're here to answer any questions and offer any help we can for the campaign."