Youth for Ron Paul aims to get students excited about liberty, campaigning

He is one of six Republican candidates still in the presidential race and arguably in the top two. In getting the youth vote, the campaign is entirely energetic, and Youth for Ron Paul aims to bring that energy to the UCCS campus.

The club, which has been meeting for the last two semesters and currently has about 10 members, hopes to inspire students to get to know GOP candidate Ron Paul and get involved in spreading his message.

"The motive in here is to get students involved in the national campaign," said Matt Hollander, president of the club.

A key issue for Hollander is the issue of liberty. He listed the war and bringing our troops home as major issues that many would support.

On the topic of drug use, Hollander said that while Paul is not pro-drug use, he believes that each state should have the ability to run and decide for themselves. "Paul supports liberty and the right to choose," he said. "States should run themselves."

Some members work with Students for Responsible Drug Policy and Campaign for Liberty on campus.

As stated on the UCCS website, Youth for Ron Paul's mission is "To elect Ron Paul president in 2012 [and] to bring our members together to run Ron Paul's campaign at UCCS."

Hollander said that the Paul campaign is all about getting people interested in politics.

Describing the other GOP candidates as "fake" and part of the political establishment, Hollander and other members said that Paul's consistency is what makes him stand out.

Members noted how corporations and Wall Street bankers have contributed to the Romney campaign, while Paul's support comes largely from grassroots organizations, with 70 percent of contributions being under $100.

The Paul campaign is run entirely by volunteers, many having never been involved in politics before, Hollander said.

Citing the recent McCain endorsement of Mitt Romney, a club member discussed how Romney and other candidates remain a part of the establishment, while Paul aims to revitalize the system.

Dan Mueller, a former UCCS student who attended in the mid-1990s, has been attending the club meetings at the University for several weeks now.

"The establishment Republicans have made it very clear that their choice is Romney," Mueller said.

He mentions how, through Ron Paul, he has found common ground with those completely opposite of his political beliefs.

"Obama comes into office, and people are hoping for change. Unfortunately, there is more of the same," he said.

"I don't know anyone who agrees with him [Paul] 100 percent, but everyone I know that has spent five minutes looking into the guy knows that he's a man of integrity."

Mueller points to Paul's integrity as a reason for getting involved in his campaign. "[Paul] means what he says and says what he means. He doesn't just pander to a crowd," he said.

"It doesn't matter who he's in front of, he'll tell you what he believes."

Youth for Ron Paul members encourage students to come to a meeting and sign a petition to get Paul to come and speak at the UCCS campus, something that would take place ahead of the Feb. 7 caucus.

The club is open to anyone who is enthusiastic and desiring leadership experience in the election process.

In association with Campaign for Liberty, students have the opportunity to attend various conventions to get leadership experience, and Youth for Ron Paul is considering setting up a meeting time during the week as well.

The club is keeping a close eye on Paul's national campaign, looking primarily at the upcoming Florida primary.

While Hollander predicts Romney and Paul will be the two candidates going all the way to the convention, the one who will be in the lead is the question.

Despite Romney winning Iowa and New Hampshire, those campaigning for Paul remain optimistic. For Hollander and others in Youth for Ron Paul, the election is far from over.

"It's a two-man race," Hollander said, "[and] we're here to win."

The Lowdown

What:

Youth for Ron Paul

When:

Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Where:

University Center, next to Clyde's (rooms vary)

More Info:

Matt Hollander

mhollan2@uccs.edu

970-219-0310