Election year brings slew of political speakers to ASU

Republican historian, Michael Zak, among big-name politicos meeting with student groups

 by Leigh Munsil
 published on Monday, February 18, 2008

Michael Zak told a room of ASU College Republicans that he decided to write a history book of the GOP because he couldn't find a publication that didn't make fun of it.

His book, "Back to Basics for the Republican Party," was once cited in a Supreme Court decision by Justice Clarence Thomas. But the Washington, D.C., resident found time to talk to a group of about 30 College Republicans on Thursday.

Zak is among a surge of speakers that ASU's student political organizations have been hosting this semester.

Political groups on campus are often the best place for students to come into close contact with major players in the world of politics, the presidents of the ASU College Republicans and Young Democrats said.

Students who are active in politics are sought after by candidates who are often desperately in need of volunteers — one of the reasons politicians come to speak at their meetings.

Many times, candidates come to speak in hopes of having the students volunteer on their campaigns, said Paul Gambill, the College Republicans' president.

"In the case of candidates, a lot of times they'll come to us," he said. "The College Republicans are a great source of volunteers."

This semester, the College Republicans will host congressional candidate Laura Knaperek on Feb. 21, congressional candidate Mark Anderson on Feb. 28, state Treasurer Dean Martin on March 6 and U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. on March 27, Gambill said.

Other speakers may still be added to the semester lineup, Gambill said.

Still, having a detailed schedule of speakers this early in the semester is unprecedented for the College Republicans, Gambill said.

"We've never been able to do this before," he added.

Zak, a conservative author and speaker, joined the College Republicans on Feb. 14, the anniversary of Arizona's statehood, and thanked the students for their loyalty to the GOP.

"You are risking, I believe, your grades, your careers and your reputations by being conservative," Zak said. "College conservatives, such as you, really do walk the walk."

Lisa Fernandez, president of the ASU Young Democrats, said the group has already hosted three speakers this semester, including state Attorney General Terry Goddard.

"Because we're so well known and so active, candidates call us," Fernandez said.

Candidates come to the group's meetings to ask the students for support, as well as to volunteer on their campaigns, she added.

Democratic state Reps. Ed Ableser and David Schapira, both of Tempe, stop in to attend the meetings when they get a chance, Fernandez said.

The Young Democrats have never paid a speaker to attend one of their twice-weekly meetings, she added.

When a speaker's message strikes a chord with the students, they get energized to volunteer, Gambill said.

"When candidates come in and the audience feels a connection to them, that definitely translates to getting involved," he said.

Reach the reporter at leigh.munsil@asu.edu.