USU College Republicans go to Colorado to campaign
After three days of knocking on doors, passing out flyers and making phone calls in Jefferson County, Colo., the USU College Republican Club returned home Sunday night with sore feet and a greater hope that Colorado will swing Republican, said Kevin Hargraves, club president.
The club spent three days in Colorado trying to convince residents to vote for Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin, candidates for president and vice president, in one of the states considered critical in the November election.
The Rothenberg Report, a political blog run by Stuart Rothenberg, named Colorado the pinnacle of the election. Being a swing state, Rothenberg said it is likely to lead the other four swing states (Virginia, Ohio, Nevada and Michigan) in this election. He said these states will ultimately decide the election. Hargraves agrees.
“With the potential impact Colorado has on this election, we wanted to do our part it to make sure the state votes republican,” said Hargraves, senior majoring in law and constitutional studies.
Determined to claim republican votes while outdoing BYU and Weber State republicans, who were also campaigning in Colorado, USU led the operation contacting more than 4,500 people , Hargraves said.
“USU worked really hard, skipping lunches, running from place to place and standing in the sun for hours. Our USU team made us proud, covering a big portion of Jefferson County,” Hargraves said.
Sisters Kasi and Stephanie Porter, part of the 13 members from the USU club, led the group with a record of contacting more than 400 houses a day.
“I was sore by the end of the three days, but it was a lot of fun. Most of the people in Colorado were very friendly. The trip was a great opportunity for us to meet people and get involved,” said Kasi, sophomore majoring in elementary education.
After three days of campaigning and an eight-hour drive home, Hargraves said the trip was well worth it.
“It was a great opportunity for our club to do service and observe the election process first hand,” he said. “We encourage people to be politically active no matter what your political views are. It is important Americans are informed about the government and its leaders.”
The club meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in room 405 of the Merrill-Cazier library.
Hargraves said the club will have similar activities throughout the year.
–chelsie.hansen@aggiemail.usu.edu