Missouri Republicans discuss ways to reach youth

Leaders told young people how to become involved in government.

By Will Guldin

Published Feb. 21, 2009, last updated 6:35 p.m., Nov. 13, 2010

KANSAS CITY -- Young people made a large impact for Democrats in the 2008 presidential election. At Lincoln Days on Saturday in Kansas City, Republicans discussed ways to reach out to these generally Democratic voters.

During a town hall meeting, the subject of reaching out to college students was brought up by Truman State College Republicans President Casey Sharp, who asked Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder what the Republican Party was doing to gain support on college campuses.

"Young people do not have a habit that I grew up with, and so many others did, of reading newspapers," Kinder said. "They're going online for their news. They're reading blogs, they're reading something, they're doing something called Twitter."

Kinder illustrated a technological divide between college-aged people and older generations, with whom the Republican Party typically has more appeal.

In an interview after the event, Sharp said she was not satisfied with Kinder's response. She said Republican elected officials should work to be more present on college campuses.

"Other than the technology, we need them physically there because that's what's going to make the impact," Sharp said.

During the 2008 campaign, prominent Republicans rarely came to MU. Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., came to Columbia to eat at a local restaurant but had no speaking engagement. President Barack Obama, by contrast, held a large rally on Carnahan Quadrangle that drew more than 40,000 people.

MU College Republicans Chairman Jonathan Ratliff said technology really was not an issue for the Republican Party. Ratliff said after the 2008 presidential election, the College Republicans re-evaluated their use of technology and made many improvements to their Web site.

Ratliff said the national group has formed a social networking program called STORM, which links College Republicans across the country. He compared the program, which gives points to members who recruit new users, to Facebook.

After the town hall forum, the Missouri Federation of Young Republicans held a meeting. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., who announced earlier this month he would not seek a fifth term in the Senate, said the Republican Party had to get "back to basics."

"The basic point is, I'm stepping aside as a candidate," Bond said. "I'm not going to be stepping aside as a campaigner. I enjoy campaigning, I enjoy being out on the loop, but it's time for you to step up. You're the new generation, you're the new generation we talk about."

Missouri House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, also discussed how younger people could get involved in government.

"Well the only way you're going to make a difference is changing the thinking of the country, your state, your city, your county, your home or your school," Richard said. "What we have to do is have a better idea, a better a way to function and a goal for the future. The fact that everything is changing with Facebook and Twittering and Internet, Republicans cannot be the suits with the shined shoes and the fancy tie going out and talking about business."

-- News Editor Andrew Denney contributed to this report.