Student attends Republican Convention
USU student Joseph Irvine attended the Republican National Convention with the thought that 20 years from now, he might be the man accepting the nomination for president of the United States.
But after returning from the convention, Irvine said he has realized he would be in a better position to do good if he weren’t president. While he hasn’t ruled out the idea completely, Irvine said he would rather convince people to change, not the government.
“I want to convince people, ‘Here’s what you want to do,” he said.
The best way to do this is through the media which, Irvine said, “bands together to form human perspective.”
Irvine said the media must shift its focus from soft issues and celebrity gossip.
“Our sole attention is on these worthless issues,” he said.
In order to really make a difference in the world, Irvine said more than just the media must change.
He said, “The American value system needs a serious overhaul, a serious refurbishing.”
Aside from learning more about what he wanted to do with his future, Irvine said he learned a lot about politicians and humanity while he was at the convention, which was held in St. Paul, Minn.
During the presidential primary season, Irvine, an independent, said he supported Mitt Romney because of his achievements in the business sector. He said McCain was his second choice.
“I’m pleased now that McCain got it and hearing him talk more, I think he is the right man to do it,” Irvine said. “I heard Romney speak and I was a little disenfranchised with him.”
Irvine said he is impressed with McCain’s foreign policy experience and his service during wartime, something that gives McCain an edge over opponent Barack Obama.
“He’s not only seen but felt the atrocities of war,” Irvine said.
Irvine said McCain is best suited to lead the country at this time, mentioning the tensions with Russia, North Korea and Iran.
“I think McCain is set to lead with the issues we face today,” he said.
At the convention, Irvine said he was most impressed with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The energy on Wednesday, when Palin spoke, was unbelievable, Irvine said. By Thursday, he said the audience was just tired.
Irvine said the choice of Palin as a running mate says a lot about McCain because she is a “very dangerous choice.”
“It reinforces that he is doing what he thinks is right for the people,” he said.
Despite the questions of her experience, Irvine said she will be good for Washington. D.C.
Irvine, junior in business, was able to attend the Republican National Convention after being chosen by USU’s Honors Program to participate in the Washington’s Center Presidential Nominating Seminar. Irvine was in Minnesota about two weeks. The week prior to the convention, the Washington Center hosted several guest speakers and also took other participating students to the state fair. They also received a tour of the Xcel Center, where the convention was held.
However, Irvine said he was struck most by what he saw going on outside the convention, not inside.
He said he witnessed a lot of poverty in St. Paul, making him questions the priorities of political parties.
“Why are we doing this?” Irving said he thought. “There are problems in society and here we are having this grand old party.”
During the convention there were a number of riots. Irving said things were so bad, he and the others he traveled with had to be accompanied by armed guards. Irvine said the circumstances were like a “miniature civil war.” In the Xcel Center, Irvine said there were television sets everywhere broadcasting different news networks. Prior to exiting the convention each night, he said they would watch the news broadcasts to make sure it was safe to leave.
“It was unlike anything I have ever been to,” Irvine said.
He said the animosity told him a lot about humanity. Irvine said breaking windows doesn’t make any point but sitting down and discussing issues can have real influence.
At the convention, Irvine was a delegate aid, a delegate without a vote, for Arizona, helping with whatever the party needed.
Irvine said, “Overall, I was very appreciative to the honors department to sending me. I definitely walked away learning a lot more.”
–arie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu