Recently, the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans (WICR) found themselves stabbed in the back by one of their own, when outgoing chair Lora Rae Anderson slammed the Republican Party, claiming they were not inclusive enough of more liberal-minded young people, then promptly bolting for the Democratic Party only one month after she left her position as WICR leader. WICR political director Patrick Testin, as well as newly-elected WICR chair Charlotte Evans had a few words to say to Lora Rae and to all Republicans who may have found their faith in the College Republicans shattered due to Lora's actions. Here is Patrick's WICR official press release regarding the matter:
Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans: College Republicans bid Anderson farewell
5/26/2010
STEVENS POINT, WI: On Friday May 21st, former Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans Chairman Lora Rae Anderson left the Republican Party to join Mike Tate and his cohort of “liberal attack dogs” in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Anderson recently landed a spot on MSNBC for a publicity stunt stating that she left the Republican Party because the party was ignoring the more “liberal-minded” young members.
While it is unfortunate that the former state chair Anderson has radically shifted her views, WICR is proud to stand for young conservatives. WICR chapters have seen their memberships increase. Over the past year, more and more people have rejected the liberal policies coming out of Madison and Washington D.C. and we expect to see more young people join WICR. Anderson herself stated in May 2009 as she addressed the Republican Party that “most College Republican chapters are bigger and more active than Democratic chapters . . . College Republicans are persistent, strong, committed, moral characters” and that “Republicans are some of the hardest workers I know, and Democrats are some of the most agitated people I know.”
Since that speech, however, she has slowly moved to the left and has embraced many liberal ideologies that have put her at odds with many in the party. Last week, Anderson issued a statement and had a press conference with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin where she declared, “The health care reform bill allows young adults like me to be carried on our parents health insurance until we’re 26…I’m not looking for a government handout. I just want to get my life started on the right foot.”
The majority of Americans, however, do not support the liberal health care mandate and are in line with Anderson’s statement on September 8, 2009 where she said, “thanks for not paying attention to those who don’t agree with you, Mr. President” when commenting on the fact that Republicans had real solutions to the healthcare crisis without getting Americans into a massive amount of debt. While the DPW and MSNBC have latched onto Anderson’s newly developed extreme views, the growing College Republican chapters do not want the government to leverage their futures and bury them under debt.
Much like Senator Specter, Anderson has shown she is far more concerned about her own self-interests and is willing to drastically change her principles for personal gain. We just hope that Anderson’s selfish media grab isn’t a condition for paid employment with Mike Tate and the DPW. Patrick Testin, political director of WICR, states that “we do find it interesting that in Mike Tate’s blitzkrieg to get Anderson in front of a camera, he and the rest of DPW have failed to do their homework on Anderson, who has a history of saying controversial things on social media sites.” On September 24, 2009, Lora Rae Anderson posted on Facebook that she “thinks: (3rd district Congressman) Ron Kind is a [censored].” On September 8, 2009 Anderson stated she believes Planned Parenthood are “disgusting racists”. Matt Rossetto, vice chair of WICR said, “Statements like these should suit Anderson well if she is to have a future in DPW under Mike Tate’s leadership, who has proven time and time again he is willing to use tasteless racial politics.”
WICR wishes Anderson the best of luck in her future. Meanwhile, WICR will continue to move forward in promoting conservative values and principles. Chairman Charlotte Evans stated, “While it is a pity that my predecessor left the party, it is evident that big government is not a solution to her problems. We are on the verge of a Republican revolution similar to 1994 that rejects the growth of the government and its out of control spending, which is why we are encouraging students to sign the national College Republican ‘Don’t Put It On Our Tab’ petition.” WICR will unite to recruit, train, mobilize, and engage college-aged students that support fiscal and individual responsibility to elect conservative Republicans in November when the great state of Wisconsin turns RED in 2010.
Contact: Patrick Testin
Email: wicrpolitico@gmail.com
Phone: 715-412-1922
I'm not entirely familiar with the situation, so it may be correct to attack this girl as a back-stabber for switching parties, but I thought I would note that she has a point. As the Republican Party moves more to the right, it alienates many "liberal-minded young people" and especially moderates. I don't equate "liberal-minded young people" to be in line with the liberal/socialist/progressive agenda of the current Democratic Party in Washington, because much of our youth today are more socially tolerant than the previous generation. Thus, as I consider myself a conservative, I consider myself so because I am a constitutional/judicial conservative and a fiscal conservative and believe the most conservative position is the moderate one. To be a conservative means to preserve the original institutions which have made this country great - we ought to do as much as possible while changing as little as possible.
ReplyDeleteTo this end, I think the Republican Party ought to move closer to the center. Obviously, by appealing to younger people, the Party sustains itself, and it wins more elections. Historically, the Democratic Party has been seen as the moderate choice. Today, we have the most partisan Congress in history, mostly thanks to the Democratic Party and President Obama. If Republicans were seen as the moderate choice, we would have full control of government (and we would probably mess things up all over again, as it always seems to happen).
Realistically, though, politics should always be more about issues, and less about partisanship. To me, it doesn't seem reasonable to call someone else a "backstabber" because the Party has moved too far away from that individual's political ideology. I used to be a Democrat, but I have switched to the Republicans because today, Republicans embody my core beliefs more than the Democrats. This whole flip-flopping issue is just rhetorical at best, and merely contributes to the lack of intelligent discourse in this country.
Furthermore, I think it reflects poorly on College Republicans that this is publicized as drama within the Wisconsin Federation, and then used as a way of attacking the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Patrick D. Shami
Executive Director, University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) College Republicans