The Clarion

Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Cameron Lemmon Members of DU College Democrats protest Romney's policies when he spoke at DU. [Click to enlarge]

When Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke at the Sturm College of Law last Tuesday, politically active students reacted in two very different ways.

The DU College Republicans attended, listened to and applauded Romney's speech. Meanwhile the DU College Democrats stood outside with signs protesting Romney's stance on such issues as reproductive rights and Guantanamo Bay

Senior Jeffrey Graves, the current president of the DU College Democrats, spoke optimistically about his organization's views.

"The truth is on our side," said Graves. "I think that's really going to help us in what we're trying to do this year. Our main goal is voter registration for students. Young people overwhelmingly vote Democrat, so we feel that's going to help us in a big way."

DU College Republicans president, sophomore Kevin Poyner, offered a different take on the issues.

"It's tough to get involved right now since we can't endorse one [Republican] candidate over another," said Poyner. "The undergrads did help to plan the Romney speech. We're mostly concerned with arranging events for our members so they can listen to, talk with and understand the candidates."

Graves elaborated the Democrats' agenda. "Our main issues are the Iraq War and the slashing of student benefits," he said. "We think it's ridiculous that President Bush can slash a child healthcare bill saying it's too expensive, and then turn around and ask for another $168 billion to fund the war."

Poyner said Romney's appearance is one way to educate his group's members about the issues. "Our main concern is educating our members about the issues," said Poyner . "We want to promote productive intellectual political discourse. We're not interested in getting into any hot, nasty political debate. We want to be productive, not sensational."

The two groups have encountered no friction on campus, according to Graves, who said, "They've been very cordial and respectful. We try to return the favor. We could have marched into Romney's speech with our protest signs, but we chose to stay outside to allow him space to give his speech unmolested."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools