Northern Star Online: College Republicans discuss candidates, welcome state rep.

NIU College Republicans met for the first general meeting of the semester on Wednesday, and received a guest – and a delegate.

Illinois State Rep. Bob Pritchard spoke before the organization. Pritchard, a supporter of former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani, is serving as a delegate for Giuliani in this February’s election.

Pritchard was not the only member of the GOP in the room who was a Giuliani supporter.
“[I support Giuliani] because he has demonstrated good leadership,” said Andrew Bogda, a junior geography major. Bogda said the most important issue in this election is the war on terror, and Giuliani was therefore the best choice for him.

“He’s a blue-state Republican,” said Ryan Smith, a freshman business administration major. ”He has the best chance in swing states and liberal-leaning states for Republicans.”

College Republicans president Megan Szydlowski said she too is a Giuliani fan.

“I’ve followed him for a while, and I read his book back when he was still in New York,” she said. “Right now, the country doesn’t need an ultra-conservative candidate.”

Not all College Republicans supported Giuliani.

“I like [Mike] Huckabee because of his support for the fair tax, and that’s important to me,” said Sam Fuqua, a sophomore computer science major.

“I think this country is going bankrupt because of a lack of fiscal conservative values,” said Daniel Linnen, a senior electrical engineering major and Ron Paul supporter.

Aaron Funfsinn, a senior political science major, said he had supported Huckabee but is now leaning toward John McCain.

“I don’t support [Mitt] Romney because of his record,” Funfsinn said. “He flipped on some issues, particularly abortion.”