June 9, 2009 12:12 PM

GOP Looks For Fountain Of Youth

By
Lauren Seifert
Topics
Republicans
(CBS)
The College Republicans National Committee recently held their annual convention in Washington. CBS News spoke with members to find out where they saw the future of the GOP heading and how the party can get back into the White House in 2012.


Hundreds of students from around the country gathered in Washington this past weekend for the College Republicans National Convention. From Colorado to New Hampshire, these students showed strong support for a party that many say has lost its edge when it comes to reaching out to young voters.

The three-day event featured speeches from Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and RNC Chairman Michael Steele, among others, in a quest to secure the party's future with young voters.

But how do these college students feel about the direction their party has taken in recent years? Jim Kearney who attends Colorado College says, "I think there's this sort of stereotype that's percolating that, "What does a Republican look like? Someone kind of like me; white, male. There isn't really diversity in the party and that the Democrats are the party of diversity,"

"I think that it is definitely important for us to make it known that we are here and we are going to be the future of the party and it is really important for them to start reaching out to us," adds Providence College student Nora Fazioli.

These students are aware that it will take time, energy, and utilizing social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to reach young voters, but they are positive. Belmont University student Rachel Baily says, "I'm very optimistic about our future, we've employed a lot of new tactics to reach out to voters, and just widen our support base. We've been known as the party of the older generation, so I think that's changing now."

Watch interviews with College Republicans on how they feel about the future of the Republican Party, what issues are important to them, and how the GOP can get back into the White House in 2012.



Add a Comment
by kansas1946 June 9, 2009 11:05 PM EDT
Yes, the party of old bitter white guys. When I was young, I joined the Republican party. I no longer belong, and if I were young now, I wouldn't touch that hateful party with a ten foot pole.
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 June 9, 2009 1:43 PM EDT
Grand Old Party

Grand OLD Party

Grand Ooooold! Party

But, it is true that the GOP never has to rebuild, they just reload.
Reply to this comment
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