Chief
08-18-2008, 07:08 AM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/375327_younggop18.html
By KIMBERLY CHOU
P-I REPORTER
The words flash onscreen over earnest rock guitar: "I sometimes ask myself ... Why am I a REPUBLICAN?? ... But then I realize ... I am SOOO not a Democrat."
A slide show kicks in, set to Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy": images of the Clintons, peace activists, abortion rights protesters, Sean Penn.
"Are you really one of them?" the clip asks. "I didn't think so."
The online video and others like it -- including an interview series that, despite the name "Republican on the Street," is somewhat less partisan -- are the efforts of MoveRed.org, a mobilizing group for young conservatives sponsored by the King County Republican Party. With an emphasis on social-networking and new media channels, MoveRed.org courts young Republicans and potential converts ready to "join the (R)esurgence" of conservatism.
In liberal Seattle, stumping for the other side is hardly popular.
"There are a lot of people that are really hostile," said Peter Cowman, 22, the group's director, who has braved the liberal masses while staffing a Move- Red.org booth at Bumbershoot and other events. "I think a lot of people are blaming the Republican Party and George Bush for a lot of problems."
"It's a challenge; that's for sure," said Justin Bryant, vice president of College Republicans at the University of Washington. "But I think it really brings out the best parts of being a Republican. ... You're going to be pushed on what you believe in and what you stand for every day."
Cowman and Bryant are in the minority: Not only are they a splash of red in a blue state, they're young members of the Grand Old Party, more likely to use contemporary methods to promote a party traditionally seen as a technological step behind its opponents.
"It's fair to say the Democrats have been ahead of us," said Luke Esser, chairman of the Republican Party in Washington state. "We realize the importance of catching up ... the effort into making certain we get young Republicans plugged in."
A telling example of the perceived divide is each side's online strategy in the presidential race. For months, Barack Obama supporters have used the interactive aspect of the Democratic candidate's Web site, my.barackobama.com, to arrange events in their communities, blog and befriend other users, like on social-networking sites. McCain announced in July the launch of the online McCain Nation, with functions similar to what the Obama camp refers to, affectionately, as "MyBO." The McCain site has offered "McCainSpace" pages since last year, mostly to display fundraising totals.
Pundits have worried about whether it's too little, too late for the Republicans -- is it possible to reach older voters with newfangled technology? Do 20-something voters identify with a 71-year-old candidate?
"You have to reach each generation where they are," Esser said. "(We) have to use old media and new media."
**SCHNIPP**
A bit long, but worth the read. It's good to know that not all of the young skulls full of mush are filled with Obamunism...
;)
By KIMBERLY CHOU
P-I REPORTER
The words flash onscreen over earnest rock guitar: "I sometimes ask myself ... Why am I a REPUBLICAN?? ... But then I realize ... I am SOOO not a Democrat."
A slide show kicks in, set to Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy": images of the Clintons, peace activists, abortion rights protesters, Sean Penn.
"Are you really one of them?" the clip asks. "I didn't think so."
The online video and others like it -- including an interview series that, despite the name "Republican on the Street," is somewhat less partisan -- are the efforts of MoveRed.org, a mobilizing group for young conservatives sponsored by the King County Republican Party. With an emphasis on social-networking and new media channels, MoveRed.org courts young Republicans and potential converts ready to "join the (R)esurgence" of conservatism.
In liberal Seattle, stumping for the other side is hardly popular.
"There are a lot of people that are really hostile," said Peter Cowman, 22, the group's director, who has braved the liberal masses while staffing a Move- Red.org booth at Bumbershoot and other events. "I think a lot of people are blaming the Republican Party and George Bush for a lot of problems."
"It's a challenge; that's for sure," said Justin Bryant, vice president of College Republicans at the University of Washington. "But I think it really brings out the best parts of being a Republican. ... You're going to be pushed on what you believe in and what you stand for every day."
Cowman and Bryant are in the minority: Not only are they a splash of red in a blue state, they're young members of the Grand Old Party, more likely to use contemporary methods to promote a party traditionally seen as a technological step behind its opponents.
"It's fair to say the Democrats have been ahead of us," said Luke Esser, chairman of the Republican Party in Washington state. "We realize the importance of catching up ... the effort into making certain we get young Republicans plugged in."
A telling example of the perceived divide is each side's online strategy in the presidential race. For months, Barack Obama supporters have used the interactive aspect of the Democratic candidate's Web site, my.barackobama.com, to arrange events in their communities, blog and befriend other users, like on social-networking sites. McCain announced in July the launch of the online McCain Nation, with functions similar to what the Obama camp refers to, affectionately, as "MyBO." The McCain site has offered "McCainSpace" pages since last year, mostly to display fundraising totals.
Pundits have worried about whether it's too little, too late for the Republicans -- is it possible to reach older voters with newfangled technology? Do 20-something voters identify with a 71-year-old candidate?
"You have to reach each generation where they are," Esser said. "(We) have to use old media and new media."
**SCHNIPP**
A bit long, but worth the read. It's good to know that not all of the young skulls full of mush are filled with Obamunism...
;)