IU College Republicans debate Gingrich victory

The South Carolina primary took place Saturday, with Newt Gingrich securing a victory. Since 1980, every Republican presidential candidate who has won the primary in South Carolina has gone on to win the Republican nomination.

“I was a little surprised that Newt Gingrich pulled out a win,” said sophomore and Chairwoman of College Republicans Hilary Leighty. “It’s definitely going to make things more interesting for Mitt Romney.”

Rick Santorum won the primary in Iowa, and Mitt Romney won in New Hampshire.

“The South Carolina primary says we as a party have not yet decided,” said junior and Internal Vice Chairman Lucas Wozniak.

Sophomore and External Vice Chairman Daniel Cheesman has a differing opinion from Leighty.

“It’s not surprising,” Cheesman said. “Gingrich was making statements people agree with. He talked about Right to Work, financial issues and was spot on in debate. He deserved to win.”

At this point in the campaign, the College Republicans don’t endorse a specific candidate, but once there is an official Republican nominee, they will
campaign heavily.

“Next fall, you can count on the fact that we will be working very hard doing fundraising,” Wozniak said.

The club hands out flyers, chalks surfaces across campus, goes door-to-door, participates in phone banks and sometimes has debates with the College Democrats at IU. Cheesman said the campus is “overwhelmingly liberal.”

“We have an uphill battle, but that’s the fun of it,” Cheesman said.

To beat President Barack Obama this November, Wozniak said, the Republican candidate needs to be a capable debater and speaker, have a clear, well-thought out plan for economic recovery and have a clear and concise answer to handle America’s debt.

Wozniak said the selected candidate has to have a plan for how government and costs can be cut while still meeting the public’s wants and needs.

“We have to cut back to a rate that is more reasonable,” Wozniak said.

Leighty and Cheesman also considered the economy high on the priority list, with Leighty considering it the biggest deciding factor in the election.

“I don’t think social issues will matter as much this year,” Cheesman said.

Leighty said she believes every candidate has something interesting to offer: Gingrich gets things done, Paul has fresh ideas, Santorum places emphasis on family values and Romney’s private sector experience is valuable.

“It’s definitely interesting to watch it all unfold,” Leighty said.  

Not all College Republican students stand behind one candidate.

“Within the Republican Party, there’s factions,” Cheesman said. “It’s interesting to see what people look at and when one drops out, who do you unify behind?”

No matter who the nominee is, the main goal is to beat Obama, Wozniak said.

“Beating President Obama is not an insurmountable goal,” Cheesman said. “If someone comes in there with confidence, a key plan and the ability to follow through, those are the qualities that will make Obama a one-term president.”