2008 Woodie Awards
Week of politics
Adam Berey
Issue date: 5/20/05 Section: News
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The College Democrats stepped up their annual "College Democrats Week" events this year with a catchy slogan and a merchandise table in Downer Commons. Starting last Sunday, the group gave away blue-colored merchandise and sponsored several on-campus political events. The College Republicans also sponsored events as part of "Republican Pride Week."
The Democrats' slogan, "Think Blue," comes from the Think Blue Political Action Committee, an independent group that sells blue rubber fundraising bracelets to aid leftist groups such as MoveOn.org and 2020 Democrats. The Lawrence Democrats extended this slogan for use on blue T-shirts, buttons, and pride ribbons, and adorned campus foliage with blue glowsticks.
The evocation of the red state/blue state major-party rivalry may seem too partisan to some. College Republicans president Michael Papincak said Wednesday, "I don't particularly like it because it widens the gap between our two parties."
But the Democrats assert that it is only a show of pride. According to College Democrats president Kevin Cooper-Fenske, the week's activities were meant to increase party enthusiasm, not rivalry between the two sides. "I don't consider [the slogan] to be an attack," said the senior. "It's more of a hopeful thing."
In Cooper-Fenske's eyes, the Republicans have been less diplomatic. Posters slamming John Kerry appeared around campus Monday night and the group showed "Fahrenhype 9/11" Thursday, a right-wing response to Michael Moore's politically-charged "Fahrenheit 9/11." The Democrats screened the non-partisan political satire "Wag the Dog" the same night.
But party politics is what the weeks is about, says Papincak, a sophomore. "If they want to watch some Hollywood Dustin Hoffman movie, let 'em go."
That both the Republicans and Democrats planned their events for the same week was purely coincidental. Cooper-Fenske said there was a significant lack of communication between the two organizations. When the public relations office informed them of the overlap, the club leaders attempted to plan around each other's events in order to avoid competition.
The Democrats' slogan, "Think Blue," comes from the Think Blue Political Action Committee, an independent group that sells blue rubber fundraising bracelets to aid leftist groups such as MoveOn.org and 2020 Democrats. The Lawrence Democrats extended this slogan for use on blue T-shirts, buttons, and pride ribbons, and adorned campus foliage with blue glowsticks.
The evocation of the red state/blue state major-party rivalry may seem too partisan to some. College Republicans president Michael Papincak said Wednesday, "I don't particularly like it because it widens the gap between our two parties."
But the Democrats assert that it is only a show of pride. According to College Democrats president Kevin Cooper-Fenske, the week's activities were meant to increase party enthusiasm, not rivalry between the two sides. "I don't consider [the slogan] to be an attack," said the senior. "It's more of a hopeful thing."
In Cooper-Fenske's eyes, the Republicans have been less diplomatic. Posters slamming John Kerry appeared around campus Monday night and the group showed "Fahrenhype 9/11" Thursday, a right-wing response to Michael Moore's politically-charged "Fahrenheit 9/11." The Democrats screened the non-partisan political satire "Wag the Dog" the same night.
But party politics is what the weeks is about, says Papincak, a sophomore. "If they want to watch some Hollywood Dustin Hoffman movie, let 'em go."
That both the Republicans and Democrats planned their events for the same week was purely coincidental. Cooper-Fenske said there was a significant lack of communication between the two organizations. When the public relations office informed them of the overlap, the club leaders attempted to plan around each other's events in order to avoid competition.