By Jennifer ChenThe Daily Northwestern
Tuesday’s midterm elections had both College Democrats and College Republicans feeling a little blue.
Huddled around the TV at a member’s apartment Tuesday night, the College Democrats entered the night with cautious optimism, said group president and SESP junior Andrew London. A Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives was expected, but never by such an overwhelming margin, he said.
The hours ticked on, the numbers trickled in, and eventually, caution let way for celebration.
“It was crazy,” said Weinberg sophomore Chad Watkins, College Democrats’ Associated Student Government senator.
But from where James D’Angelo watched – at Illinois gubernatorial candidate Judy Barr Topinka’s camp – election night became increasingly hopeless and was “pretty sad and quiet.”
“We saw all the polls come in and it was bad news after bad news,” said D’Angelo, College Republicans’ publicity co-chairman and a Communication sophomore.
College Republicans said losing the House on Tuesday was no surprise. Losing the Senate on Wednesday was.
“We thought we’d be able to hold that one up, so that was a shocker for us all,” said Chelsea Thompson, group treasurer and a Weinberg sophomore.
As always, a close eye will be kept on national politics, but both groups said now is the time to return to the local and campus scene.
“From now on, (College Democrats) is going to change our focus and do some things people have grown to expect of Col Dems with programming, discussions and the promoting of issues on campus,” London said.
A goal for the group is to create an “interactive town hall,” where “students can speak directly to representatives so students can feel our local representatives have an open ear to what students are thinking,” London said.
Meanwhile, College Republicans said big changes are coming for the group, not because of midterm elections but because of internal reorganization.
Since September College Republicans has been in the midst of tweaking its constitution. Alterations will be on administrative details, such as when to hold elections and the relationship of the group with the College Republican National Committee and Illinois College Republican Federation.
“We’re trying to make it a little more interactive and all-encompassing, a little more outside of politics,” D’Angelo said, listing fundraisers and volunteer activities as possible events.
In terms of discussion topics, the two groups said it depends on what Congress brings up in coming years.
At the end of the day, both sides said they are optimistic, albeit in different degrees.
“I’m excited about what this means for the country,” London said minutes after final Senate results came in Wednesday night. “(This election) is definitely one of excitement, relief and also opportunity, because I think a lot of people in our group feel it isn’t just about winning the election, but about what the Dems can do once in office. There is a lot of potential for effective leadership and positive change.”
The way Thompson sees it, however, the Democrats won’t be smug for long.
“Of course we’re a little disappointed by the results,” she said. “But I think we have to take it as a challenge to really get our party going again.
“We need someone to step up and make some changes so the Republican Party can win in ’08.”
Reach Jennifer Chen at [email protected].
