The College Republican National Committee has just launch a $2 million dollar effort called “Operation Red Campus,” to push College Republicans and their allies on and around campus to elect Republicans.
The operation is being pushed in 16 different states, with 30 staffers, three regional directors and a new website.
Operation Red Campus begins TODAY in 16 states nationwide. We can and will win the youth vote http://t.co/Qa9IlYvcpF pic.twitter.com/sP8Hl7NcID
— College Republicans (@CRNC) August 14, 2014
In an interview with The Daily Caller, chairwoman Alex Smith discussed the details behind the operation. “The new staffers in this operation will be working directly with students on campus and other campus leaders to get out our message,” she said. Smith stressed the importance of getting out the youth vote for Republicans and its effects on electing Republicans to office. Smith mentioned Illinois, “In 2010, if 2% more of our allies would have come out across campuses in Illinois, we would have a Republican governor in Illinois.”
When asked about the overall goal of the operation Smith stated that, “the operation is set in 16 highly competitive states all across the country,” including the well-known battleground states like Arkansas, Lousiana North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Florida and Kentucky where Republicans also have a shot a taking seats in 2014, even possibly for a boost into 2016.
The College Democrats are not backing down, despite the monetary edge that the CRNC holds. The CDA does not have an official PAC listed on Open Secrets but of the states listed with PACs, only Massachusetts has an active PAC that has spent $5,345 in 2014. Brexton Issac of the CDA’s Wesleyan University in Illinois, whose chapter was named the National chapter of the year, said that they were recruiting well, and had increased turnout at their meetings, getting 1,000 new members statewide so far this season, Fox News report.
While Republicans have had trouble with the youth vote in other elections, like Obama’s trouncing of Romney in 2012 in the college-age demographic by a 67-30% margin, Smith emphasized the connection between the operation and the message seen on the new website.
“The website helps promote the message of this new operation,” Smith emphasized. “The website and videos help send a positive message without mentioning the other party on why our party principals work. With the help of the website and messaging through our new staffers we hope to have a national organic growth that begins at a campus near you.”