Posted on 07/15/2004 9:42:15 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
The Secret Society Of Young Republicans Democrats Outnumber Republicans 5 To 1 In NYC
Jul 15, 2004 11:53 am US/Eastern NEW YORK (AP) Hidden away in the back room of a Manhattan tavern where the secretive Sons of Liberty met before the Revolutionary War, another group of young rebels quietly gathers to escape political persecution for one evening.
Shhh, it's the New York Young Republican Club. And Democrats have them surrounded.
Founded in 1911 and believed to be the nation's oldest organization of young Republicans, members jokingly refer to it as a secret society -- or support group -- in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 5-to-1. And this summer, they're giddy about the GOP's national convention coming to town, drawing thousands of people who are on their side.
As the group sliced into a cake to celebrate President Bush's 58th birthday and the 28th birthday of their club treasurer earlier this month, vice president Rick Brownell celebrated the opportunity for Republican refuge.
"We can gather at events like this and just vent," said Brownell, 32. "But other times, it's kinda nice being the underdog. It keeps me invigorated and it reminds me literally every day that I have to work harder to advance our ideas."
One of those ideas, of course, is getting Bush re-elected.
That night, at the club's monthly cocktail party, they grumbled about the media lovefest with Bush rival John Kerry, and discussed the lack of positive attention on postwar progress in Iraq.
Young Republicans were encouraged to wear red, white and blue to the gathering at the historic Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington bade farewell to his officers in 1783. Noting the storied spot, the group also paused to read from speeches by President Reagan, elected when most of them were in elementary school.
It's as if Alex P. Keaton grew up and multiplied -- not your typical Manhattan cocktail party.
"To be a Republican in New York City is truly being independent -- you really stand out from everybody
Don't hide whatsoever. Come out and show your support for the President. I head up a YR club in NC. But if I lived in NY or Chicago or LA or Portland, I would come out and proclaim my beliefs. NO FEAR!!
I wish I had been more vocal during my school days in NYC, but openly wearing a Reagan button the day after his 1984 victory at NYU got me a lot of evil glares as it was.
Trying being a Republican in Brookyln :>
Stand your ground. By God, you can stand up to these people. I did it last weekend at the Kerry rally in Raleigh. Surrounded by Dems, but I did not back down from them. Show courage and no fear and they wont bother you.
Yea, I have like ~2 heated arguments per week, at least.
Backbone is exactly what more republicans need to counter the ugly, hateful dems. Good show!
bttt
Keep at it. It will pay off in Nov.
Suburban NY Republican here... I'm definitely behind enemy lines, but I stand firm.
or a Conservative in Buffalo..
bttt
It may be very hard for young up and comming people in the job market. Imagine working for a boss who thinks Mikael Moore's infomercial is truth. Now imagine that boss having to select a person for a promotion.
While the law may protect the black homosexual lesbian crossdresser, it does not protect the republican.
That being said, I have always found more people shy away from democrats the better known their commie ideals become.
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