PACRs' Website=Doing the RIGHT Thing!

Alright so here's the deal...the PACRs just launched the greatest website everrr, and there are some (or at least one blogger) who believe that the PACRs are spending too much time on their website. That is absolutely rediculous for several reasons, one being that the majority of youth register democrat and the majority of youth are constantly online. Those two facts obviously mean the PACRs are doing the right thing by reaching out to the web audience - that's the audience that needs to be reached.

But I'll stop now and post Mike Ubbens' (PACR Co-Chairman) response to this issue...because his response is exactly what I believe on this issue.



In Other News…

The PA College Republicans recently released their brand new website, making plenty of blogs throughout the state and even some national blogs. However, in the midst of all these blogs was one specific comment that struck me. The subscriber accused us of focusing too much on the website. There was an attitude as if this state federation were not doing our part as College Republicans.

If the website isn’t enough, where should we begin? It’s become apparent that of the youth registering to vote, the majority are registering as Democrats. This is where we should begin. In order to win an election as College Republicans, we must win the battle for the youth! But how do we get the youth vote over to the right side?

It starts by targeting the youth! The College Republican National Committee understands this, as they developed STORM, a national College Republican networking resource. It’s a good start. The college population throughout America is all about social networking. Walk into a library at any University and you are bound to see several students on the computer on Facebook. Social networking and internet presence will be the most effective way of winning back the youth and attracting them to the GOP.

Which brings us back to the PA College Republicans website. The website was created in order to address the increasing apathy amongst youth in the Republican Party. It will be a successful tool in battling apathy and liberal bias on campuses throughout the nation. In four days, we increased membership by 10 students, and have increased the membership of both Facebook and STORM groups by at least 20 people. Even further, to this date, 1,729 people visited our site. Interest is growing. Our blog will be active every week, for our members to share thoughts and give updates on events.

The site is now a hub for social media outlets. It fosters a community of members on several different types of social networking organizations. This is essential to getting word out on any kind of mobilization necessary to bring a victory in 2008. Federations throughout the nation should begin to focus on getting word out in the fastest time possible. This is the only way we will be able to efficiently battle the liberal media.

The future of politics seems to lie within the internet. Most people get their information from news websites, blogs, or even youtube. When the majority of news on the internet is liberally biased, it is no wonder that the largest demographic of people on the internet (youth) are registering with the party on the left – the one with the least substance and most rhetoric. College Republican federations must realize this, as the CRNC has, and finally embrace this new movement. Blogs such as crnation.com and truthcaucus.com have begun promoting this movement, but it takes initiative from each state federation. It’s time to make the investment in YOUR future and begin building the next republican party.

Let’s win back the youth…

-Mike Ubbens
PA Federation of College Republicans, Co-Chairman

PA College Republicans' Website

A Post from Vice President, Eric Sweeney's blog (itsweeney):

So, it may be because The Colbert Report is on a two week break, or possibly since I just finished listening to "I Am America (And So Can You!)" on audio book this afternoon, but I have the sudden urge to give a tip of my hat, al a Colbert, to the Pennsylvania College Republican's new web site.

As I have mentioned in the past, I am active in the Susquehanna chapter of the College Republicans, serving as the Vice-Chairman for '08-'09 and often have written about the events we attend or planned. We actually just launched a new version of our site last semester that was primarily of my design, but I must admit, the new state page puts my simple design to shame.

The PACR's are definitely doing something right. The design is clean and professional and is organized in such a way that someone unfamiliar with the organization can ford through without much hesitation. Knowing the ambitious goals of the state chapter, this will only benefit them as they grow their individual presence at university levels. It couldn't come at a better time in our swing state either, with the heated Presidential campaign lurching into its final four arduous months, accompanied by a handful of competitive congressional seats in Pennsylvania.

I could go on and on about the benefits of this new site and the features but it should suffice to say that above all, it is the predominate resource for college-aged individuals interested in conservative politics. The people at the Pennsylvania Federation are hardworking, committed college students that are passionate in what they believe in and if nothing else, this site has the potential to become a portal for others who may not know where to begin.

Now, I may be sounding like I'm just a shill for the state chapter, doing my duties in lockstep as expected, but I am genuinely impressed. I make no secret of what interests me, and it just so happens that in this example, technology and conservatism overlap and afford me the opportunity to speak about both. Go ahead and dislike the political ideology if you wish, but the PACRs are more than deserving of a tip of the hat for this one.

To view the site, go to: pacollegerepublicans.com