If you’ve been following the news in the past few weeks, you probably know what happened next. State Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck, who sits on the state Senate committee the students were lobbying, told the students to “go home” and to “leave the [political] circus” to the Legislature.

It doesn’t take Rahm Emanuel or Karl Rove to know that Sen. Hamerlinck’s comments didn’t go over too well. There was outrage, there were apologies, there was even a Huffington Post article or two — but was the senator from the 42nd district out of line? In my opinion, no.

The Legislature determines how much money is given to the universities, however the Legislature does not tell the universities how much money to use. Unlike other state agencies that must reduce spending when budgets are cut, the universities do no such thing. This creates a situation in which university spending outpaces what is reasonable given the current economic recession.

If there is a shortfall, the universities have other sources of income besides tax dollars. This is where tuition comes into play; if the Legislature cuts the universities’ budget, the universities respond by raising tuition.

The regent universities are just like every other part of the government; there is waste. For example, Iowa State recently purchased 42 solar-powered trash cans at a cost of $180,000. Don’t get me wrong, these trash cans are awesome and sometimes make me feel like I’m walking around in the Death Star, but at the end of the day, I’m going to throw my trash in them. Spending nearly 200 grand on futuristic trash cans may be something that the university can do when state revenues are high, but we don’t live in those times right now.

The state’s finances are in a precarious position. Gov. Terry Branstad and Republican legislators are trying to fix our state’s budget problem but are being cast as villains by the university administration. Unlike the previous administration, there are no federal stimulus funds to help in time of need. If you don’t think this is at least somewhat politically motivated, ask yourself where similar outrage was when Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, cut university funding by 10 percent last year.

The last thing we, as college students, need is a tuition hike — but the only way the universities will agree to bring their spending under control is if their cash cows, the students, demand it. This problem didn’t start under the golden dome in Des Moines; it started in Ames, Iowa City, and Cedar Falls. Our anger over the increasing education costs in a decreasing job market should be brought to the universities, and the administration should have to face us instead of leading a parade of students to the Statehouse. If we’re going to fix the problem, we should take Hamerlinck’s advice and “go home.”

Published in the Daily Iowan on June 27, 2011.

View the rest of the Glenn Beck Show HERE!

On Monday, the College Republicans sent out an approved e-mail to the entire university community and received more than 105 responses. This is normal for one of these e-mails; however, one response was quite different. It came from tenured UI Professor Ellen Lewin. Her message was, quite simply, “FUCK YOU, REPUBLICANS,” with her credentials listed below.

Despite this hateful rhetoric, the next day we cosponsored a blood drive with the University Democrats in the Burge Carnival Room. Lives were saved, party lines were crossed, and a good cause received some much-needed help. That same afternoon, Lewin sent two e-mails to the College Republicans that, at best, were failed attempts at an apology for her previous outburst.

This matter went public Wednesday morning with a campuswide e-mail from President Sally Mason.

As Mason stated, “Intolerant and disrespectful discord is not acceptable behavior.” That afternoon, despite the unseasonable cold weather, the College Republicans were on the Pentacrest handing out fake doctors’ notes, a play on events that occurred during the protests in Madison, Wis., earlier this year.

Thursday, the College Republicans played some light-hearted field games in Hubbard Park. After playing flag football and kickball, we all enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers while discussing the events of the past week.

Finally, today marks “Wear Red Day” in honor of the men and women serving our country.

The unfortunate events of this week reaffirm the necessity of a “Conservative Coming Out Week” in Iowa City. The UI is not a welcome place for Republican views, especially as long as professors such as Lewin receive their $94,800 salary (plus benefits) and use their university e-mail accounts to send hateful messages to college students with opinions different from theirs.

We’re told when we come to college to express our ideals — that this is the first time in our lives where open discourse is encouraged. While it is expected that some of our more immature classmates would resort to hate speech and vulgarity in expressing their disagreement with a person’s views, I would never have imagined that that response would come from a tenured professor.

Many have complained about the use of “coming out” in the title of the week. There is no patent placed upon the term, and making general assumptions about our beliefs is off base. The goal of “Conservative Coming Out Week” was for Republicans to be honest with their community to who they are: Republicans. I believe we accomplished just that.

Perhaps surprising to some, on April 26, we will host Fred Karger in 71 Schaeffer Hall at 9 p.m. for our last meeting of the school year. Karger, who is pursuing a run for president in 2012, has advised numerous Republican campaigns and is an active opponent of California’s Proposition 8. Karger will be the first openly gay man to pursue the office of the presidency — and yes, he is a Republican.

As always, this event is open to all faculty and students. The Republican spectrum is broad, and we will always embrace respectful discussion of the future of our party and the issues facing our nation.

Throughout this week, we have faced much opposition, but that will never deter us from seeking an open, bipartisan discussion.

It is easy to mischaracterize and disregard an opposing view while sitting at your computer, as Lewin did on Monday. It is much harder, however, to let civility rule and stand for what you believe in.

Originally published in The Daily Iowan.

621 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Contact: Natalie Ginty,

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2011

University of Iowa Professor lashes out at College Republican group, tells them to “F*** OFF.”

IOWA CITY, IA – For the second time in a month and a half, a public university has used taxpayer money to attack its students. Earlier this week, Ellen Lewin, a professor of Anthropology and Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies in the Department of Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa, sent a vulgar response to the University of Iowa College Republicans’ campus wide email promoting their annual Conservative Coming Out Week. The weeklong event, which includes such favorites as an Animal Rights BBQ, drew the ire of Lewin, who proceeded to fire off a rash response from her university email with a simple, strong statement: “F*** OFF REPUBLICANS!”

The full article regarding the happenings, along with copies of the email and ensuing emails, can be found at The Iowa Republican by clicking here.

Though the University posted a half-hearted, weak “apology,” the story has blown into a national headline. It has been covered on Fox News, CBS News, the Chicago Tribune, and many other national news sources. Additionally, some have even taken the initiative to create fake facebook and twitter accounts, posing as recently elected IFCR Chair Natalie Ginty.

Last Month, Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy singled out senior Logan Pals, then Chair of the ISU College Republicans, for raising questions regarding the university’s wasteful spending and staging a counter rally to the student fee-funded Regents Day on the Hill.

These episodes are an increasingly visual display of the battles College Republicans must fight to spread a conservative message on campuses throughout Iowa. Please join the fight today and help IFCR with a donation of $50, $100, or $200 to help fight rampant, out of control liberalism on Iowa’s campuses. We cannot win in 2012 without making serious gains on our campuses, and we need your help. Please donate today!

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Paid for by the Iowa Federation of College Republicans

621 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Contact: Natalie Ginty,

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2011

Left to right: Kaufmann, Ginty, Hunter, Tadlock

IFCR Elects 2011-2012 Leadership

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Federation of College Republicans elected its new leadership for the upcoming year on Saturday, capping one of the most successful IFCR Conventions in history. Natalie Ginty, a junior at the University of Iowa, was unanimously elected to serve as the new Chair of the College Republicans’ state executive board.

Iowa State University sophomore Chase Hunter was elected to serve his first full term as IFCR Vice Chairman. Joining Ginty and Hunter on the board are Colin Tadlock, a junior at Central College who will serve as secretary, and Muscatine Community College freshman John Kaufmann, who will serve as treasurer.

Outgoing Chairman Lucas Draisey greets former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday night. (Photo credit: O.Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

The elections brought a close to an extremely successful weekend for the Iowa Federation of College Republicans. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Senator Rand Paul headlined an impressive speaking line up which also included

U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, Congressman Tom Latham, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Auditor Dave Vaudt, Secretary of State Matt Schultz, Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Iowa House Republican Whip Erik Helland, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn, and Iowans For Tax Relief President Ed Failor, Jr. Also visiting over the weekend were College Republican National Committee Chairman candidates Alex Schriver of Alabama and Jonathon Snyder of Ohio.

In her campaign speech, Ginty and Hunter both encouraged students to get involved in campaigns this summer and fall leading up to Iowa’s First in the Nation Caucuses.  Both also stressed that throughout the Caucuses and Primaries, members must remember to unite as College Republicans as the cause of replacing President Obama is greater than any one candidate.

Iowa State University College Republican Chairman Logan Pals was named IFCR’s Chairman of the Year; University of Iowa took home the award for Best Chapter of the Year.  Kirkwood Community College was presented the award for 2010-2011′s Best New Chapter.

Over the next two weeks, Ginty will announce her appointments for the remainder of the IFCR Executive Board, including Executive Director, PR Director, and Regional Coordinators.

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Paid for by the Iowa Federation of College Republicans

621 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Contact: Lucas Draisey, (319) 461-6733 or lucas.draisey@gmail.com

For Immediate Release: March 23, 2011

College Republicans Announce Keynote Speakers for Annual Convention

DES MOINES, IA- The Iowa Federation of College Republicans announced today the keynote speakers for theirAnnual Convention on April 1 and 2 at the Holiday Inn Mercy Campus in Downtown Des Moines.


Tim Pawlenty, former Minnesota Governor, and Rand Paul, current United States Senator from Kentucky, will be the keynote speakers. This will be one of the first visits to Iowa for Tim Pawlenty since announcing the formation of his presidential exploratory committee. The speaking schedule includes:

Friday, April 1, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief

Tim Pawlenty, former Governor of Minnesota

Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa

Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

Saturday, April 2, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Matt Schultz, Iowa Secretary of State

Tom Latham, United States House of Representatives, IA-4

Dave Vaudt, Iowa State Auditor

Rand Paul, United States Senator, Kentucky

Kim Reynolds, Lt. Governor of Iowa

Terry Branstad, Governor of Iowa


Iowa Federation of College Republicans Chairman Lucas Draisey said today, “We are excited to host several of the most influential Republicans not only from Iowa, but from around the country. I am confident this group of speakers will help inspire College Republicans to be active in the 2012 election cycle. Our annual convention lays the groundwork for College Republicans to impact the upcoming elections, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to meet with so many important leaders in the Republican Party.”


The Iowa Federation of College Republicans (IFCR) is a strong political organization in Iowa and boasts members from over 15 chapters across the state. The IFCR Annual Convention is the largest gathering of young Republicans leading up to the Iowa Straw Poll and the first in the nation caucuses. Each year nearly 100 College Republicans gather at the Annual Convention.


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Paid for by the Iowa Federation of College Republicans

Contact Lucas Draisey

lucas.draisey@simpson.edu

Wednesday, March 9, 2010

IFCR Chairman Draisey Calls on ISU President Geoffroy to Apologize

Ames, Ia.  In an open letter, Iowa Federation of College Republicans Chairman Lucas Draisey called upon Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy to apologize today for a recent  episode during the Iowa Regents Day on the Hill:

Dear President Geoffroy,

I am writing to you today to make sure that you are aware of an incident that occurred during the Regents Day on the Hill on March 7th. It came to my attention through a video that a student involved in Iowa State University’s lobbying efforts made a vulgar gesture towards the Governor. While people within the state Capitol have certain protected rights of expression, this was undoubtedly a regrettable event. I am confident that you, Iowa State University, and the Student Ambassadors do not condone such behavior, especially at such a time in our state and nation of increased efforts for civility in politics. That being said, this young man was acting as an ambassador of Iowa State University, and was present at the Capitol in an official (and taxpayer funded) capacity. Much has been made about the wisdom and appropriateness of the lobbying efforts, and reasonable people can disagree. That is not the intention of my email. It is my understanding however, that Iowa State University and the people responsible for this event, and the delegates therein, have not taken responsibility for the disappointing action that this student took. It is my concern that without condemning what happened and apologizing to the Governor and to the people of Iowa, students and citizens will only see the calls for more civility as just another empty political gesture, devoid of action and good faith. Iowa State University is a respected institution and has much to offer this state, and failing to condemn the actions of this representative of ISU would undermine any efforts students make to influence the political process now, and into the future. As a college student myself, I find it frustrating that this event is what elected officials will come away with from their interaction with students. It undermines your cause, and it undermines the effectiveness of student/youth lobbies on both sides of the aisle.

It is my sincere hope that Iowa State does the right thing and immediately apologizes for this event so that we can put it behind us. I would like to put this matter to rest quietly, but quite frankly, the disrepect shown to our chapter at Iowa State University has compelled me to make open and public this correspondence via my personal Facebook page, and the Iowa Federation of College Republicans website (iowacrs.org).

Respectfully,

Lucas Draisey

Chairman, Iowa Federation of College Republicans

ISU College Republicans with Jack Whitver and Governor Branstad

On Saturday, January 15, ten members of the Iowa State University College Republicans traveled to Ankeny to join nearly 100 people in an effort to get out the vote for Republican State Senate candidate Jack Whitver on the final weekend before the special election to fill the District 35 seat vacated by Larry Noble.  Whitver, an Iowa State University alum, was joined in a rally by Governor Terry Branstad, RPI Chairman Matt Strawn, State Senator Brad Zaun, and Reps. Erik Helland and Kevin Koester.  Two car loads of students braved single-digit wind chills to knock on doors to ensure Whitver becomes the 24th Republican vote in the 50-member Senate this session.