Talking With Kentucky Voters Is A "Cultural Experience"

Those curious Columbia College Democrats are in the news again. They still remember fondly their road trip to Kentucky last fall to campaign for the Beshear-Mongiardo ticket.

But it seems that some at Columbia are not happy about school letting out for the Democrats to do their missionary work in Kentucky. Lydia DePillis, a junior at Columbia, reports:

Not everyone at Columbia likes the Election Day break. The low rate of participation—the Dems are essentially the only ones who send canvassers—has prompted calls for a longer Thanksgiving break if no one uses the election break for its original purpose anyway. Plus, after Election Day had come and gone, the Columbia Dems probably didn’t make much of a difference in Kentucky: Beshear was already beating his opponent by double digits. Why wouldn’t a group from a school like Columbia, Democrat or Republican, use the resources it has to target smaller races where 50 people for five days could really swing an election? And why would people who aren’t hardcore activists go on such a trip at all?

A few reasons: Road trips are fun, and they build group unity. Talking to voters in places far away from school—like Kentucky—is a cultural experience that many students may not otherwise get.

The natives are not amused.

Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.

Forget Ft. Lauderdale: Kentucky Is Where The Boys Are

Talk about a cultural experience. "I saw naked people who'd been having sex but got up to answer the door," reported back a Columbia College coed who canvassed on behalf of Governor-elect Steve Beshear last weekend. "Wow, your sex must really suck if you get up halfway through it to answer the door."

Where's a privacy penumbra when you need it? Yet another group of Ivy League students is out to drum up Kentucky Democrats to vote. Move on over DitchMitch.com blogger Matt Gunterman.

According to the student newspaper Columbia Daily Spectator, these "rowdy Columbia Democrats" used their fall break "in the way intended by its 1968 architects" -- "to engage in the electoral process." Groooovy.

(For those too young to remember the 1960s and thus perhaps do not understand the title above, click here.)

Why are Columbia College Democrats so concerned about Kentucky politics? Columbia College senior J.D. Porter, a writer for the Columbia Daily Spectator, summed it up nicely yesterday: "Here at Columbia, as at most top universities, we enjoy belittling conservative beliefs. Even the professors are in on it, and conservatives often find their beliefs directly challenged by academic trickery, like thinking about things, and facts." Might he be auditioning for a job at the Courier-Journal?

"I'm not sure we've had a group together like Columbia University," said Lieutenant Governor-elect Dan Mongiardo, who apparently either doesn't mind or doesn't recognize their condescension. "They've been incredible."

So this is what the Beshear-Mongiardo ticket meant when they pledged to promote "adventure tourism."

The Columbia Daily Spectator is so proud of the Columbia College Democrats that it has devoted an entire blogging section to their travels, slide show and all.
The Columbians reportedly may return in '08 to campaign against Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. It's time to tighten border security.

Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.