Student club jumps into the election party

Atfter recently becoming official, the College Republicans club's main goal is to have its voice heard

By Eisa Al Nashmi

In previous semesters, the College Republicans club wasn’t official, had very few members and was inactive.

Tal Eslick, president of the club, realized it was time for a change.

"With the elections coming up, it is important for students with traditional American values to get together and share their views," Eslick said.

Eslick said Republican students at Fresno State were, to some degree, neglected, so this club serves as a platform for people with different views to express themselves.

The club became official recently and had its first meeting two weeks ago.

Eslick said about 25 students showed up at the first meeting, and 35 more have shown interest since then.

"I have heard that now our club is as big as it has ever been since the Reagan administration," Eslick said. "We have a very diverse group of very excited people."

Eslick said the club is not only open to Republicans. Everyone is welcomed because the main goal of the club is for students to have their voices heard, Eslick said.

Today, the American people are divided due to the elections, but the College Republicans club is not intended to separate Fresno State students politically, Eslick said.

"We don’t want to split the school politically, but we are about getting together in a peaceful and civilized way to share our views," he said.

Eslick said, as of right now, the club is more focused on the elections because students need to realize how important voting is. The club will have a table set up all week from noon to 2 p.m. in the Free Speech Area. Information about the club and local campaigns will be available, and voter education booklets will be handed out.

Many polls are speculating that California is going to Kerry, but Eslick said the results may not be as obvious as everyone thinks.

"It is important to remember that a state viewed as liberal got rid of a Democratic governor and replaced him with a Republican one," Eslick said. "California is not as one-sided as everyone thinks it is."

Eslick said it is very important to inform people about local races, such as the race for a Congressional seat between Democratic candidate Jim Costa and Republican candidate Roy Ashburn.
"Those are the races that matter the most," he said. "It's unfortunate that very important voices are getting overshadowed by the presidential elections."

Jessie Cain, an officer in the College Republicans club, emphasized the importance of getting young people involved in politics.

She said there are two major competing parties in the U.S. It is important to have people explain each side so students can make up their minds on what they stand for, she said.

"We don’t want to change people's minds—we just want to get them informed," Cain said. "We can give better explanations on what Republicans stand for than someone who isn’t a Republican."

Eslick said the club will have a free screening of “Fahrenhype 9/11,” a documentary made to counteract Michael Moore's anti-Bush film, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” on Oct. 27 in McLane Hall, Room 280 at 6:30 p.m.

"The screening of the movie is the whole idea behind our club—we are here to show the other side of the story," Eslick said.

The club will hold its next meeting on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Social Sciences building, Room 103.