On the GOP campaign trail
By Jonathan Snooks

Over 100 ORU students traveled to Colorado and campaigned from Nov. 1-5 for three candidates in an effort to restore Republican control of the House, Senate and state executive positions.

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Owens, House of Representatives candidate Bob Beauprez and Senate candidate Wayne Allard were the focus of the campaigning students. The students called homes, handed out voting guides, prepared flyers for mailing, placed yard signs and attended rallies. The primary goal of the trip was to campaign for Owens, Beauprez and Allard. Students participated in this voluntary activity based on their own personal political views.

Both Allard and Owens won their elections. Allard's election helped shift the balance of power in the Senate in favor of Republicans. Beauprez received the most votes but the Democratic candidate, Mike Feeley, contested the victory by taking it to court which ended up ruling in Beauprez's favor.

While on the campaign, ORU student Zlatka Attannasova told ORU assistant professor Timothy Brooker that she dreamed Beauprez would win the election by 300 votes. The original election count showed Beauprez defeating Feeley by 308 votes. (After a later recount, the number was adjusted to approximately 200.) "I told Bob Beauprez [about the dream] and he had tears running down his face Saturday," said Brooker.

The students were referred to as "political shock troops" and feedback from the campaign reached President George Bush. Vice President Dick Cheney appeared in Colorado and shook hands with many of the students.

On election day the students went through neighborhoods to make sure people voted. "Sometimes the only way they'll vote is if you ask them to," sophomore Brian Chin said. Many of the people targeted by the students' campaign were those unaffiliated with any political party and somewhat apathetic toward the political process. "A lot of people don't know about candidates and will vote for the person whose [sign they last] saw," Chin said.

Thirty ORU students went on the first trip to Colorado which occurred over Fall Break. They were subsequently invited to return.

Individuals who went on the trip received three practicum credit hours. Chin said that 72 hours of campaign work-which the trip far exceeded-were required for his class on Christian Faith in Government.

Sophomore Jonathan Pigford said, "The trip to Colorado was a great experience for all that went, including myself. It opened our eyes to the evils that there are in politics and how we as Christians can go in and make a difference like Oral Roberts prophesied."

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