IU Republicans applaud ‘sincerity’

When Arizona Sen. John McCain asked them to stand up, leaders of the IU College Republicans rose to applaud the “straight talk” approach.

A handful of IU College Republicans leaders met late Thursday night to watch McCain accept the Republican nomination for president.

“It was extremely sincere,” said IU College Republicans President and junior Chelsea Kane. “It didn’t have a lot of flash or a lot of smoke and mirrors. It was straight and to the point.”

During McCain’s speech the students identified with several key topics, including reforming education, reducing taxes and eliminating pork-barrel spending. But it was the emotional pull from the war veteran that left the deepest impressions.

“John McCain just spoke the most sincere speech of my life,” junior Shawn Azman said. “That speech just gave me chills.”

Leaders used the time to talk strategy as they moved forward, including their upcoming call-out meeting and debates with the IU College Democrats.

Kane said their main priorities before Election Day are registering voters and educating students about Republican policies, which she said was tough in a Democratic stronghold like Bloomington.

“It’s hard to overcome that minority status and speak as loudly as we can,” Kane said. “We can’t just sit idly by and let that happen in such a critical time.”

Junior Pat Buschman said the organization needs to push students to listen to all views.

“You’ve got to have both sides of the story to have a balanced view,” Buschman said.

Leaders also spoke about the importance of registering voters and said every vote counts.

“You have to look at everyone as the most important vote in the election and give them everything you can,” Kane said.