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State Department profiles NYU College Republicans and College Democrats
By punch bowl | October 30, 2007
This caught my eye, not so much for content as for the source: The State Department (the one headed by Condi) writing about young people joining the College Republicans and the College Democrats. NYU is the subject of most of the article:
On campuses across the country, university students are joining branches of College Republicans or College Democrats to participate in the political process. Some have a longstanding interest in politics, while others are motivated by the 2008 presidential candidates to become involved for the first time.
“We have seen a bit of a spike because of the primaries,” said Sarah Chambers about attendance at NYU’s Republican Club. American universities long have been places of political activism, and today many have local chapters of the College Democrats of America, established in 1932, and College Republicans, established in 1892. At NYU, both groups have a strong membership and a vocal presence on campus….
With about 400 members, the NYU Republicans are less numerous than the NYU Democrats, but they bring a lively conservative voice to the campus. With a nod to the university’s liberal reputation, the Republican group holds weekly socials they call a “right-wing safe zone.” In addition to those meetings, the Republican students work on local and national campaigns and join conservative lobbying groups like the Conservative Political Action Committee. Club president Sarah Chambers encourages members to volunteer for a Republican presidential candidate like Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney or John McCain.
Chambers remembers that club participation spiked during the 2004 campaign and told USINFO October 4 that she is beginning to see a similar increase during the 2008 campaign. The club plans an event in conjunction with the YouTube Republican debate and will hold an informal vote on the Republican candidates.
NYU Republicans are as “diverse in their interests,” Chambers said, adding some are motivated by economic policy and fiscal issues while others care more about social issues. The group is planning a diaper drive as a part of a campaign to raise awareness about abortion.
As the primary season draws closer, political activity is picking up on college campuses. Princeton University students are managing “phone banks” to contact registered voters; Duke University lists 22 different clubs dedicated to political activism; and Amherst College students can take part in the “Summer Institute on Civic Engagement and Political Activism.” Republican and Democratic students will engage in vigorous debates over the coming months, imitating the political candidates they support, and perhaps practicing for future careers in politics.
Topics: CR gossip |
