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The University of Maine College Republicans
University of Maine College Republicans are recruiting volunteers and registering voters, hoping to garner support across campus for the republican presidential ticket, Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin, before the Nov. 4 election.
Operating from a table in the Memorial Union, College Republicans volunteers pass out campaign literature and answer questions from students.
“We’re trying to unite and provide a basis for republican students to come and organize for causes we agree on,” said Zachary Jackman, College Republicans president.
“We’re really trying to get people to come out and make a decision – whoever they may vote for, that person is going to have the power to end the world,” Jackman said. “Regardless of who you’re voting for, you still have to weigh the consequences of you being able to choose who has the power to end the world.”
Working with Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Olympia Snowe, College Republicans recruit volunteers to work for the presidential campaign. Jackman said they have seen a membership boost since McCain selected Palin as his running mate. According to Jackman, several former Hillary Clinton supporters pledged their votes to the Republican Party this November.
“People are aligning with the McCain-Palin ticket because it’s not extreme either way,” Jackman said. “The Republican Party is reforming because it’s a new era of politics. It’s not the old-school politics with the Clintons and Bushs. It’s a modern political world, and it’s changing,” he said.
Following university and organizational rules, College Republicans is open to any political affiliation. The organization holds weekly meetings for its members, does volunteer work around the area and works with similarly-minded organizations across campus on certain issues. The group also plans an annual trip to Washington, D.C.
More information about College Republicans and upcoming events can be found on FirstClass.
The University of Maine College Democrats
Sen. Barack Obama has received multitudes of support from young voters. The University of Maine College Democrats are working to raise awareness and align students across campus in support of Obama and his vice presidential pick, Sen. Joe Biden.
The Obama Campus Coalition for Change has joined forces with College Democrats to harness support for the democratic presidential ticket.
“I think it makes us stronger. We have students who have brought a wealth of knowledge to the table,” said Ben Goodman, communications coordinator for the Coalition for Change.
College Democrats is working to register voters and to recruit volunteers. The group plans to host events throughout the fall. The organization also campaigns for members of Maine’s congressional delegation such as Congressman Tom Allen.
“It’s a cliche, but this is the most important election of our lifetime. The issues we are playing with this time are going to affect our generation more than any other,” Goodman said. “It’s now or never. This campus has a crucial role to play in the state.”
Despite the media attention surrounding Obama, Goodman stated the Republican Party did receive a boost from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., and Sen. John McCain’s vice presidential nomination of Gov. Sarah Palin.
“It’s a historic pick for the Republican Party,” Goodman said, “but my party did that in 1984. A lot of time has passed.”
Goodman also added, “I don’t see many Hillary Clinton supporters crossing party lines. I think they’ll see through the celebrity of Sarah Palin.”
More information on College Democrats and upcoming events can be found on FirstClass.
Bangor Daily News