After several years of dwindling membership, the University's chapter of the College Republicans pulled in more than 140 students to its first mass meeting last night in the Chemistry Building.
On what is considered a liberal campus, the record turnout easily matched the attendance at the College Democrats meeting Monday. In addition to recruiting members, the group hosted Joe Fitzsimmons, GOP challenger to U.S. Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor), Republican regent candidate Mike Bishop and Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon at the meeting.
"I haven't seen this many Republicans together on (this) campus in 30 years," said Fitzsimmons, a local business executive and adjunct lecturer in the School of Information and Library Studies.
College Republicans President Nicholas Kirk said since the last presidential election the group has "only had one good year and that was not last year." Kirk said the group has suffered from leadership problems.
College Republicans member Amy Paulsen said the tendency for college campuses to vote Democratic has not discouraged the group.
"We don't really see it as a disadvantage," said Paulsen, an LSA sophomore. "We see it as a rallying point - it just strengthens our convictions."
Officers presented the group as the "eyes and ears of the campus," and stressed a need to express conservative views at the University.
"We combat basically the sentiment of liberalism that's on campus," said Vice President Elias Xenos.
Audience members ranged from the unsure to the impressed and enthusiastic.
"I thought they were more impressive than I thought they would be, a little more emotional," said Marty Lee, an Engineering sophomore.
Todd Stockard, an LSA sophomore, said Bob Dole's tax plan will revitalize the economy and create jobs.
"Basically I think (Bob Dole is) going to bring back the Reagan years if he's elected - but I don't think he'll be elected," Stockard said.
House candidate Fitzsimmons quoted his latest polling statistics and predicted a GOP victory in his race this fall. Voters aren't familiar with Rivers and won't support her, he said.
"She's about as close to being a socialist as I can think of," Fitzsimmons said.
Fitzsimmons promised Republican programs would help relieve the burden of deficit payments young taxpayers will bear in the coming years.
"We'll run a surplus," Fitzsimmons said. "We'll do in Washington what we've done in Michigan."
JOE WESTRATE/Daily
Republican congressional candidate Joe Fitzsimmons speaks to College Republicans at their first mass meeting last night in the Chemistry Building.