College Republicans: A classy organization

Via Michael Crowley at TNR, here's another disturbing anecdote about College Republicans:

The College Republicans have other ideas, some not quite as mainstream as parading popular politicians.

Morgan Wilkins, the intern hired by the Republican National Committee to win the hearts and minds of Michigan 20-somethings, is planning events that some may find odd. To others, they may be offensive.

One such idea is "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," in which a volunteer would play the part of an illegal immigrant and hide somewhere on campus while others try to find him. The winner would receive a prize.

Her other ideas include an event called "Fun with Guns," in which young Republicans would use a BB gun or paintball gun to shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)

For more uplifting stories about the organization that trains many top Republican politicians and operatives, see here, here, and here.

Comments

[Meredith]

He's a bit behind - the "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" charade took place my last year (2004-2005) at Texas. I don't know if officially it was sponsored by the Young Republicans but many members took part. I believe that different colored shirts signified different minorities one could "catch." I'm not exactly sure about the offered prizes one received - perhaps a coupon to a local eatery and the warm, fuzzy feeling one gets knowing he has no conscience?

[Anonymous]

Once bitten, but not shy about going back for more I see.

Jeez, didn't TNR get into enough trouble the last time they wrote about the college republicans. See movie "Shattered Glass" for the history. [an excellent movie btw]

I see that TNR is sourcing from an article in the Michigan student paper. I guess this time they can blame someone not on their payroll when the story turns out to be fiction.

I love TNR, it's the only political magazine I pay for but this was a really dumb topic to post about given TNR's still-recent history of printing lies.

[Stefan]

The "Animal Rights Barbeque" is by far the best idea the College Republicans have ever had.