College Republicans

Given the ugliness of our political dialogue these days, this is an encouraging sign.

The Center for Political Participation and the Civic Engagement Council at Allegheny College have invited approximately 300 colleges and universities to participate in the National Conference of College Democrat and Republican Leaders May 18-19. The purpose of the event is to enhance communication between young Democrats and Republicans, examine civility in politics and establish a high bar for the respectful exchange of ideas.

[...]

The Allegheny conference will offer sessions on moderation, compromise and problem solving. Student leaders will participate in mock debates, discuss policy advocacy, and critique relevant films. Participants will confront contentious, often polarizing, topics in a workshop setting, while being encouraged to be mindful of opportunities to discover common ground.

[...]

Several colleges are planning to send students to the National Conference of College Democrat and Republican Leaders, including Harvard University, Louisiana State University, Thiel College, the University of Florida and the University of Southern California.

I am pleased that we're seeing this kind of discussion among young progressives and conservatives in the college ranks. This will hopefully set the tone for a new generation of political operatives/citizens so that we can focus on problem-solving as opposed to name-calling. I am also eager to see how this conference impacts the strength and bipartisan nature of on-campus events this fall.

While an organizer tells me there is currently little more to offer in the way of information than what is already included in the press release, I do know that there is no registration fee and that the college's Center for Political Participation will be making accommodations for attendees.

Full disclosure: Allegheny happens to be my alma mater. Go Gators!

You've got to love young conservatives. Stick them in front of a computer and hilarity ensues. Whether it's gangsta raps about Ayn Rand, or this latest missive from the College Republican National Committee (emphasis mine):

From: Zach Howell, College Republicans
Date: Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Subject: Closing STORM

One year and over 200,000 members later, I'm pleased to announce that STORM, the College Republican's social activism network has successfully served its purpose and has now been closed as scheduled.

STORM proved to be a successful utility to organize our membership, coordinate the Fall 2008 field program, and keep in communication with our 200,000 members.

You can rest assured that we'll continue to keep you in the loop on upcoming projects, as well as supply you with the tools you need to be an effective activist online and on campus.

In conjunction with the completion of STORM we surveyed nearly 2,000 College Republicans to better understand what drives YOU to connect online. Here's what you told us:

85% of survey respondents told us they're connected online at least four hours a day, with almost half saying they're “always” connected. For most, this includes using the Internet on a mobile device.

Almost 95% of College Republicans have accounts on Facebook, and a vast majority are active on multiple social networks. In addition, about three quarters of respondents spend at least one hour a day on social networking sites.

When asked what features you would like to see on a future College Republican network, the most popular responses included a job posting board, event sharing, integration with Facebook, and talking points on hot-button issues.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Zach Howell
National Chairman
College Republicans

Riiiiiiight. Their proprietary social network was so "successful" that they decided to dismantle it. Because after the 2008 election, there would never be any need to quickly and efficiently organize "200,000" College Republicans. I know conservatives are fond of declaring the End of History, I didn't realize there was also an End of Organizing as well.

Or maybe things didn't go "as scheduled." Maybe this is in response to the fact that the system cost upwards of $300,000 and never actually worked, eliciting ridicule from the rank and file College Republicans. Maybe it's because so few people used the system that they got punked trying to run a contest during the RNC. Or maybe it's because if the system actually worked and was sustainable, they wouldn't be able to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars in welfare to conservative web development firms.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. There's nothing to be alarmed about here folks, everything is proceeding according to plan. This is our regularly scheduled programming.

Conservatives have a lot of work to do if they want to climb out of their demographic hole. Something tells me that Millennials aren't going to want to be involved in an organization that lies to its membership.

Our good friend Al found this video we had missed where the (then) potential RNC chairs were talking about how they would reach out to young people. Its pretty fun:

cross posted on the College Dems of NY blog: http://www.collegedemsny.com/...

Yesterday the College Republican National Committee released an official press release endorsing Ken Blackwell for RNC Chair, one of the six nominees.

It is our opinion and the opinion of a large part of our organization that, of the many qualified candidates for RNC Chairman, the candidate best suited to take on these new challenges is Ken Blackwell.- Charlie Smith, CRNC Chairman

I can't really say I'm surprised that they are endorsing a notorious gay basher who has helped divide people, rather them unite people like the Democratic Party has done.

Here are Blackwell's remarks three years ago when he ran and lost for the Ohio Gubernatorial race in 2006, talking about the gay community and comparing them to arsonists and klpetomaniacs: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/...

"I think homosexuality is a lifestyle, it's a choice, and that lifestyle can be changed," Blackwell said in response to the question "Is homosexuality a sin, and can gays be cured?" according to published transcripts. "I think it is a transgression against God's law, God's will."

He continued: "The reality is, again...that I think we make choices all the time. And I think you make good choices and bad choices in terms of lifestyle. Our expectation is that one's genetic makeup might make one more inclined to be an arsonist or might make one more inclined to be a kleptomaniac. Do I think that they can be changed? Yes."

But Blackwell was just warming up, comparing gay people to farm animals:

"I don't know how many of you have a farming background but I can tell you right now that notion even defies barnyard logic ... the barnyard knows better," said Blackwell referring to the idea of same-sex marriage.

The College Republicans are freaking out about Obama's 66 - 32% margin over John McCain among Millennials. See also here and here.

The first post, written by Ethan Eilon, the Executive Director of the College Republicans, is probably the most level headed of the three, all of which offer basically two types of solutions to the giant cracks in the GOP foundation exposed by this election:

1. Double down on conservative principles
2. Build up new infrastructure to reach out to youth

As I've said previously, in some respects (infrastructure) these posts read like the stuff I was writing two years ago. In others, though, the crazy talk is a little hard to get past. Without going into too much detail, I basically draw three conclusions from these posts:

1. The youth vote was basically uncontested this year.
2. Assuming the College Republicans, Rebuild the GOP, and Next Gen GOP types are actually listened to by their party, that won't be the case in 2012.
3. Even then it's not clear how much it will matter because young voters are more progressive than previous generations. Without a recognition of that fact, and subsequent movement towards the left, it's hard to see the GOP gaining back more than a few points among young voters.

cross posted on CDNY blog: http://www.collegedemsny.com/...

If you're a NY College Republican, you must be feeling pretty down right about now. You just got your ass handed to you by your counterparts, the College Democrats of NY, and you just lost the NY State Senate for the first time in 40 years, lost 3 Congressional seats in NY, and were pretty much non-existent the entire Election season.

After a bit of searching through the NY College Republican website, we thought that perhaps the NY College Republicans may have a pulse after all. And then reality hit us like a mack truck.

The NY College Republicans are boasting about the following:

It is the hope of the New York College Republicans that the hard work and enterprise of every conservative across the great state of New York will help reinstitute an era of conservative values.

ok so let's see:
lose NY State Senate: check
lose key Congressional seats: check
get trounced in youth support in NY: check

With just a month before the elections, the NYCRs will be devoting their time to Sandy Treadwell this weekend, Multiple State Senators in New York City this weekend, and Dale Sweetland

ok so just to recap:
Sandy Treadwell (R) gets ass kicked by Democrat Kristen Gillibrand: check
Dale Sweetland (R) gets ass kicked by Dan Maffe: check
Republicans lose state senate for 1st time in 40 years: check

So again, what have the NY College Republicans done?

Just saw this over on the College Republicans Blog:

Lance Kennedy has announced his candidacy for chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans. Kennedy has a Facebook group with 144 members, at the time this post is written. The platform Kennedy is running on is listed on the Facebook group:

After much thought and consideration I have decided to run for election as Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans. This is not out of a desire to obtain political office or to add an extra line onto my resume. I am running because I feel that I am the only candidate that has the experience and leadership necessary to change TFCR for the better, and to make it a legitimate auxiliary organization of the Republican Party of Texas.

If elected I promise to:

1. Raise $20-50,000 in the first six months of office. I have raised $10,000 for a student government election at UT, imagine how much more we can raise together for TFCR. We need an experienced fund raiser as Chairman, and I am the only candidate that fits that description.

2. Consolidate TFCR and make all chapters feel welcome. For too long we have let petty things divide us; it is time to make a change in our policies. We must have an active chapter at every school in the State of Texas.

3. Transform TFCR from the organization that it is into a viable part of the GOP. Only a strong leader with connections at all levels of government can achieve this.

4. Help local chapters develop themselves by providing: funding, online resources, and speakers to help increase their presence on campuses.

5. Increase Texas’ prominence in CRNC by implementing reforms and raising significant amounts of capital for local chapters and elections. I want Texas to be THE most powerful state in the national convention, and I know you do too.

I have spoken with Charlie Smith, National Chairman of College Republicans National Committee, who supports these measures and believes that if implemented would improve TFCR significantly. Please join me in this endeavor by electing me as Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans.

Im just wondering if this is really productive. The Democrats have big congressional races that they are looking to protect in Texas. In fact one of the biggest Republican pickups could come in Texas. I for one am glad to know that the TexasCR are not worried about it but rather worried about getting themselves elected.
In NY, our College Democrats haven't even begun thinking about running for office. We are worried about winning congressional races, taking back our State Senate, and helping Obama win PA and NH.
This work is really getting us positive results. According to most analysts, we are going to take back three congressional seats (and hopefully a fourth) as well as take back the state senate.
Im just glad that the College Democrats have their priorities in order for 2008.

It looks like our old foes, the college republicans are sitting back and getting ready for an early Halloween. How else to explain the Joe the plumber costume party they are having?

A college republican said it best when a guy named Karl made this post:

Um, why is our national chair protesting Obama rallies dressed as a plumber? Shouldn’t he be running a field program and/or raising money for said program? The CRNC is a joke this year. Thousands of dollars for tech gimmicks while neglecting the bread and butter of our group’s past successes.

Elsewhere, the Massachusetts College Republicans are trying to start a Joe the Plumber for Congress campaign. What a joke!

Maybe the College Republicans forgot what its like to do real campaign work:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/12/211946/99/794/628739

As I sat watching the debate last night with 50 members of my college democrats chapter in upstate NY, I couldn't help but glance over at the college republicans live blog on their website. Comments made by their members brought our members a huge smile and great laugh...
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As I sat watching the debate last night with 50 members of my college democrats chapter in upstate NY, I couldn't help but glance over at the college republicans live blog on their website. Comments made by their members brought our members a huge smile and great laugh...
With the third debate out of the way, Senator Obama has now taken the three best chances for Senator McSame to break his free fall. With a stirring performance last night, Senator Obama fought through the muck and dirty campaigning that McSame has exhibited and showed America that he has the real vision for the future. With his clear and concise explanations of his policies for the economy, taxes and health care, Senator Obama easily rode to victory.

While Senator McSame wanted to continue to talk about Joe the Plumber, a registered Republican who was most likely a device of the McSame campaign, Senator Obama continued on message that he was the best choice for America.

After the debate I went over to the College Republicans live blog to see their diluted thoughts on the debate. I was sure in for a shock. Reading it sounded almost like I was reading a Democratic blog. Here is just a sample:

rawhide: McCain looks almost pale. Nixon 1960?
rawhide: McCain sounds tired. He needs to pick it up. It makes him sound old.
rawhide: McCain’s first answer was decent. Not great, but decent.
rawhide: Obama does much better than McCain at looking into the camera. It’s effective.
rawhide: Obama’s much smoother with his answer, too.

After this the College Republicans began to remember that they are actually Republicans. This led them to their favorite talking point: Socialist. At least a dozen times they referred to Obama as a socialist. Never actually giving reasons why they were accusing him of being a socialist.

To Republicans, it appears that when they don’t actually have anything to say, they decide to just call everyone a socialist or a terrorist.
College Republicans get a clue- America wants real change. America wants a change from the bitter politics that leads to name calling and distortions that peg one side as terrorist or communist and the other as arrogant patriots. America wants to know McSame's policy on the economy, on keeping our country safe, on fixing global warming. America does not want to hear you declare someone a socialist. But I guess they have not yet figured that out, otherwise they would actually be competitive in the Presidential race, in races like the NY-29, where a Democrat has not won in God knows how many years.

Matthew Segal from SAVE sent me this video of a debate that his organization the Student Association for Voter Empowerment had with the College Republicans three months ago. In the debate, Segal remembered that the GOP was attacking ACORN spreading the same misinformation they are today. As you can see in the short clip the allegations are thrown out there, and Segal corrects the record for what ACORN really does.