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For many students, the term “Republican”
is associated with all things evil: greedy, feeble men shaking
fists at each other on Capitol Hill; a slew of –isms that
conjure images of Nazi Germany; and of course, who could neglect
the religious fundamentalism and strict moral code that
frequently accompanies anyone’s perception of the common
Republican. Despite the pervasive nature of this stereotype
among the American and U-M population, it must be said that the
adherents to this specific breed of Republican ideology today are
few and far between. The College Republicans have made it their
goal this year to prove that right-wing ultra-conservatism is no
longer the creed by which the majority of Republicans swear.
Moreover, being a Republican, too, is something that is ready to
take on a new image. Rory Diamond, president of U-M’s
chapter of the College Republicans (CRs), has enjoyed record
audiences at weekly meetings so far this year. The feature of
successful Black Republicans, Republican candidates in local
elections, as well as well-known speakers has brought new faces
to the Republican movement on campus. Diamond attributes this to
the revamped image that he envisions for the CRs. “The CRs are becoming a more open
organization,” Diamond said. “In the past, there has
been a feeling that there was no place for moderates in College
Republicans. My leadership style is to accept all Republicans
— regardless of their political perspective. If they call
themselves Republicans, they are my friends and allies.” Diamond’s celebration of
Republicanism of any degree has significantly multiplied the CRs’
membership: a strong group of fifty now replaces the under-a-dozen
weekly attendants of 1997-1998, and the rank-and-file membership
has been pushing three hundred. Dave Taub, a four-year member of the CRs
as well as the current CR’s treasurer, says he could not be
happier with the results this change in image has brought. “Being a moderate myself, I feel
that going closer to the center is the best way to have people
join you,” Taub said. “There are people without a party
out there: they are too conservative to be a liberal, too liberal
to be a conservative, and that is what we are here for.” Diamond and the CR leadership seem to
have understood the brand of Republicanism that students on
campus can relate to. “Many people have the stereotype
that Republicans are cold-hearted jerks,” Diamond said.
“We are seeking to prove the concept of compassionate
conservatism.” Accompanying this change in image is also
a change in the structure of the CRs. According to Diamond, the
“autocratic, top-down” leadership has been replaced by
four committees that mold themselves around the membership.
Freshman committee, an Elections committee, a Social/Athletic
committee and a Community Service committee now act as extensions
of campus and community outreach, which collectively seek to put
what Diamond calls “a good face on our good ideas.” These transformations of image and ideals
for the CRs have been highlighted by a flurry of activity. With respect to the 2000 elections, the
CRs have planned the ambitious goal of registering a thousand
students for the elections through the 1000 for 2000 Campaign in
conjunction with the Conservative Education Organization. Further
involvement with the Kids First campaign, which emphasizes school
choice/vouchers, and the planning of Affirmative Action debates
headlined by speakers like Dinesh D’Souza has put the CRs in
the limelight of campus political involvement. Lastly, the effort
to sponsor a canned food drive, the adoption of disadvantaged
families for the upcoming holiday season, and weekend trips to
hospitals well demonstrate the CRs devotion to community outreach
and social service. All in all, these efforts have been met
with nothing but success, admiration, and a new hope for the
reinvented Republican movement led by the CRs. Despite these
accomplishments, the CRs have ambitious plans for the future. “I want the largest, most energized
political organization this campus has ever seen,” Diamond
said. “We have reps in every dorm, on every student
government, in every Greek house, and in every school and major.
Republicans of all colors and sizes are coming out of the
woodwork.” For now though, the senior members of the
CRs seem satisfied enough with the overwhelming success of the
group. “I think this is the most successful
we have been in four years, and this is not even an election year,”
said Taub. The College Republicans have bi-weekly
general meetings punctuated with frequent committee meetings, all
of which are well-advertised on the halls of campus buildings. To
obtain more information about College republicans, or to
subscribe to the CRs’ email group, contact Rory Diamond at
rdiamond@umich.edu. In addition, the CR web page can be accessed
at http://www.umich.edu/~umcr.
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