NEWS

Students Make Strides for Dark Horse Campaign

Reporting and Videography By: Kelly Schlicht

Amid political voices at the University of Wisconsin, most Republican candidates for president have yet to be heard.

Students for Rudy Giuliani mobilized only two weeks ago. Yet students for Texas Congressman Ron Paul have been spreading their atypical Republican platform on campus for months.

“The response from the students is probably the most empowering response we’ve received,” said Adam Bachman, Dane County Ron Paul organizer.

Student supporter Neal O’Meara has been telling friends about Ron Paul long before the candidate appeared on last week’s Youtube debate.

“The most important think I want people to know about Ron Paul is that he’s never voted for the war in Iraq,” said O’Meara.

And for this dark horse campaign, the main component is getting Ron Paul’s name out, which students are doing in a big way.

Big visually, at least. A major part of this grassroots campaign involves putting up signs, as well as using the Web.

“The Ron Paul revolution has taken over the internet, I would say,” O’Meara said. “It’s the only way our campaign can do what we’ve been doing.”

But will it be enough to make an impact at the Iowa caucus?

“The Republicans, too, want to have a candidate that’s electable. So if my first choice doesn’t get in maybe I have to go to my second or third choice, or even more fourth or fifth choice,” said Political Science Professor Dennis Dresang. “It won’t be because I’m particularly excited by them, but will they be able to win me the White House?”

A recent poll of Iowa voters has Ron Paul coming in sixth, with five percent. Mitt Romney leads the Republicans in that state with 27 percent.

Students will campaign for Ron Paul in Iowa next week, still holding on to hope for the presidency.