By Colter Hettich, Features Editor
Any person who watches more than a few minutes of any major television news station or news Web site would see the animosity that has built among many Republicans and Democrats. Even a Christian university is susceptible to those attitudes, but many College Democrats and Young Republicans on Abilene Christian University’s campus have ignored the stereotypical resentment of an opposing party.
“In a Christian environment, there is no reason to further divide [ourselves] just because we don’t agree on everything,” said Young Republicans President Jordan Hancock. “We can inform more people by doing things together.”
The two groups gathered at The Grove to watch one of the presidential debates earlier in October. Almost 40 students attended. ACU’s College Democrats and Young Republicans already have planned a results party in the Living Room, where Democrats and Republicans will witness election results in the same room.
Donovan Plummer, president of ACU College Democrats, may support Barack Obama, but he has a problem with anyone calling him a Democrat.
“I don’t like labels,” Plummer said. “I might vote Democratic for this election. I might have a lot of democratic ideals but I don’t label myself a Democrat.”
Hancock said the same thing.
“I vote Republican but I’m not a member of the party,” Hancock said. “If I had to join a party, it would probably be the Republicans. But I don’t have to.”
Both groups actively have spread their messages. ACU College Democrats canvassed Judge Ely Boulevard and the area surrounding ACU and participated in the Homecoming Parade. ACU Young Republicans commissioned its members to use word-of-mouth to increase voter registration and raise voter awareness.
The political groups take inherent competition in stride, making a conscious effort to promote non-threatening and tolerant attitudes.
“There’s been a lot of marginalization over the years in politics,” Plummer said. “Even though it’s gotten messy, I think we’ve done a good job. We just want to bring people together.”
