2008 Woodie Awards
The disappearing game: the College Republicans remain unseen this election
By: Sean Lutzmann
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Forum
If you haven't noticed, there's a bit of a publicity gap on this campus between the student organizations, College Republicans and College Democrats. Other than the Sept. 11 remembrance event and having a table at the Union for a few days, activities marketing the GOP brand have been few and far between.
Even on this Forum page, it's pretty difficult to find a voice defending the McCain campaign on campus from the criticisms it faces from the leftist columnists.
Before you jump to conclusions, it's not because our editors are anti-conservative Communists. They don't require potential columnists to pass an ideological litmus test, discarding those whose sample columns indicate a low pH of liberalism. (If you're a Chemistry major, you'll understand the reference.)
Compare this to the activities from liberal groups like FREEDOM, College Democrats and the local campaign Headquarters of the Obama-Biden Campaign (121 E. Court St. in case you're wondering). Odds are you've run into at least one of us bugging you to either register , or offering you a free shuttle bus ride to vote early at the Board of Elections. And just this past Saturday the Obama campaign had "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane and "Friday Night Lights" star Adrianne Palicki speak about the importance of students being registered to vote for the Obama-Biden ticket.
As a proud partisan member of the College Democrats, I'm a little disappointed with my conservative counterparts. To be frank, it's not as fun. In fact it's boring, without the strong Republican balance. But I think there might be some interesting reasons behind the perceived absence.
The biggest reason is probably the same reason why College Democrats were less psyched about the 2004 election than they are about Sen. Barack Obama. In 2004, College Democrats loathed George W. Bush with a fiery passion (still do), but they were only lukewarm towards their own candidate, John Kerry. They had a lot of motivation to trash the opposition candidate, but not as much for their own candidate.
Even on this Forum page, it's pretty difficult to find a voice defending the McCain campaign on campus from the criticisms it faces from the leftist columnists.
Before you jump to conclusions, it's not because our editors are anti-conservative Communists. They don't require potential columnists to pass an ideological litmus test, discarding those whose sample columns indicate a low pH of liberalism. (If you're a Chemistry major, you'll understand the reference.)
Compare this to the activities from liberal groups like FREEDOM, College Democrats and the local campaign Headquarters of the Obama-Biden Campaign (121 E. Court St. in case you're wondering). Odds are you've run into at least one of us bugging you to either register , or offering you a free shuttle bus ride to vote early at the Board of Elections. And just this past Saturday the Obama campaign had "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane and "Friday Night Lights" star Adrianne Palicki speak about the importance of students being registered to vote for the Obama-Biden ticket.
As a proud partisan member of the College Democrats, I'm a little disappointed with my conservative counterparts. To be frank, it's not as fun. In fact it's boring, without the strong Republican balance. But I think there might be some interesting reasons behind the perceived absence.
The biggest reason is probably the same reason why College Democrats were less psyched about the 2004 election than they are about Sen. Barack Obama. In 2004, College Democrats loathed George W. Bush with a fiery passion (still do), but they were only lukewarm towards their own candidate, John Kerry. They had a lot of motivation to trash the opposition candidate, but not as much for their own candidate.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
a
posted 10/07/08 @ 7:56 AM EST
I think you hit the nail on the head here with two of your points.
1.) They're not as excited about McCain as everyone else is about Obama. Like you said, it's like their version of 2004. (Continued…)
annoyed
posted 10/07/08 @ 12:17 PM EST
For once I agree with a. why would you post an article like this, it just further justifies conservatives feelings towards this news paper. this is yet another blatant attack against the CR's. (Continued…)
This paper does have liberal bias...
posted 10/07/08 @ 12:47 PM EST
90+% of the opinion pieces in this paper are in favor of Obama, and not even from only students. The Associated Press articles and such clearly sway one way. (Continued…)
Rockin Dinosaur
posted 10/07/08 @ 4:46 PM EST
This paper is representative of its audience and staff. Three quarters of the student body are liberal in their opinion and voting. The College Reps are just don't have a chance; it isn't fertile ground for cultural conservatism. (Continued…)
Sean Lutzmann
Lean Sutzmann
posted 10/08/08 @ 1:27 AM EST
"Like you said, college campuses are notoriously unfriendly to Republican viewpoints. This isn't because of a "liberal bias" like they claim, but that doesn't change the fact that it'd be like Democrats waiting outside an NRA meeting to register people to vote. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 10/08/08 @ 1:38 AM EST
I am not upset by the article, however I think it got some things wrong. So in that case, you were successful in sparking some debate...I hope you enjoy my response article :)
smith
posted 10/08/08 @ 1:26 PM EST
I am in total agreement with A, and glad to see that many conservatives have voiced their frustrations on such biased articles. the cocky, and holier than thou attitude expressed by the writer in this article, are just a few of the reasons I will be turning my attention to more balanced papers. (Continued…)
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