2008 Woodie Awards
Republican Club to provide student body open political forum
Kristen Domonell
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: News
The Marist College Republicans now officially grace the list of college clubs and organizations. Existing since May 2006, the club, according to some members, will help promote voter and political awareness on campus and provide an open forum for discussion and debate.
The club is officially chartered to promote just such an awareness through the conduct of its meeting and types of activities it sponsors and in which it participates.
Like-minded Republican students had previously tried to establish a formal club, said member Joe Delisle, but leadership was lacking. General sentiment also seemed to be wary of sponsoring a club so closely tied to the often vicious arena of partisan politics. Some seemed worried that a Republican group "would take [its] ideas and pres them too strongly on others," member Chris Waters said. And of course, he said, "Any club goes through the pressures and stresses of trying to begin a new thing on campus."
Despite a shaky start, Waters and Delisle said that they were enthusiastic about the club's immediate and long-term future.
Waters said that the Republicans hope to make a direct and indirect impact on campus by "getting our name out there, and building on our foundation to help out future generations [of Marist Republicans].
Delisle added that currently, "We've already started voter registration, and there's hope to bring in speakers. The club would love to join with another group and sponsor a speaker versus speaker debate."
He also said that he would like to see the club get involved in campaigns for Republicans running for office.
Discussion and debate, according to he and Waters, would be another crucial component to the club's raison d'etre, as it were. At meetings, club members would have the opportunity to rationally voice and reinforce Republican viewpoints. One objective for them is to accurately define and portray to the campus what it means to be a Republican.
Both Deslisle and Waters emphasized, though, that the Marist Republicans welcomed anyone from different ideological backgrounds to engage in discussion. Anyone with an interest in politics and its effects can raise various topics for talk.
"We're not here to force our ideals on people," Waters said. "It [the club] is an open, respectful, free forum for people with political interest."
As one of the founding members of the club, Delisle said that he is "proud, proud beyond belief [to be involved with the Marist Republicans]. Politics is essentially my life, and one of the first things I say about myself is that I'm a Republican.
Ideological fervor aside, Delisle said that the club "is not opposed to the creation of the Marist College Democrats."
The club is officially chartered to promote just such an awareness through the conduct of its meeting and types of activities it sponsors and in which it participates.
Like-minded Republican students had previously tried to establish a formal club, said member Joe Delisle, but leadership was lacking. General sentiment also seemed to be wary of sponsoring a club so closely tied to the often vicious arena of partisan politics. Some seemed worried that a Republican group "would take [its] ideas and pres them too strongly on others," member Chris Waters said. And of course, he said, "Any club goes through the pressures and stresses of trying to begin a new thing on campus."
Despite a shaky start, Waters and Delisle said that they were enthusiastic about the club's immediate and long-term future.
Waters said that the Republicans hope to make a direct and indirect impact on campus by "getting our name out there, and building on our foundation to help out future generations [of Marist Republicans].
Delisle added that currently, "We've already started voter registration, and there's hope to bring in speakers. The club would love to join with another group and sponsor a speaker versus speaker debate."
He also said that he would like to see the club get involved in campaigns for Republicans running for office.
Discussion and debate, according to he and Waters, would be another crucial component to the club's raison d'etre, as it were. At meetings, club members would have the opportunity to rationally voice and reinforce Republican viewpoints. One objective for them is to accurately define and portray to the campus what it means to be a Republican.
Both Deslisle and Waters emphasized, though, that the Marist Republicans welcomed anyone from different ideological backgrounds to engage in discussion. Anyone with an interest in politics and its effects can raise various topics for talk.
"We're not here to force our ideals on people," Waters said. "It [the club] is an open, respectful, free forum for people with political interest."
As one of the founding members of the club, Delisle said that he is "proud, proud beyond belief [to be involved with the Marist Republicans]. Politics is essentially my life, and one of the first things I say about myself is that I'm a Republican.
Ideological fervor aside, Delisle said that the club "is not opposed to the creation of the Marist College Democrats."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Joe
posted 8/01/08 @ 2:24 PM EST
On the Second Amendment, Don't Believe Obama!
The presidential primary season is finally over, and it is now time for gun owners to take a careful look at just where apparent nominee Barack Obama stands on issues related to the Second Amendment. (Continued…)
Brad
posted 9/10/08 @ 1:38 PM EST
This is what I like. Republicans complained that Obama is a celebrity, well you have turned that around and created this immature no experience celebrity Palin. (Continued…)
maria008
posted 9/26/08 @ 10:42 PM EST
Common sense solutions come from people that have common sense. Biden & Obama have conveyed both in their political careers.
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maria
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