On Wednesday, April 1, The Rebovich Insitute for NJ Politics hosted Governor Mike Huckabee for a fundraiser and a speech.  This event went extremely well, both for the Rebovich Institute and the University.  When we read that Friday’s newspaper, one could see that the Rider News, a student run publication, sided with the 7 protesters rather than recognizing what a great night this was for the University.  Below is the response written on behalf of the Rider University College Republican Executive Board:

The Rider University College Republicans were elated by the visit of Governor Mike Huckabee last Wednesday, April 1, to raise money for the Rebovich Institute and give a speech to the campus community.  Gov. Huckabee came to campus due to the generosity of Rider alum and Trustee Mike Hennassey.  One would think that at a notoriously apathetic university, that students who were already liberal would stay home and watch some TV.  There was, in fact, a strong presence from the community, much larger than Donna Brazile and Harold Ford, both liberals who barely packed the BLC Theater.  One must ask then: what was the protest about?  

            On college campuses, one must expect that there are a fair number of liberal professors.  These professors are entitled to their points of view, as a college campus is supposed to foster free speech and a lively debate.  Unfortunately, the face of the protesters was not one of open minded debate but one where college professors and students wanted to silence a conservative voice.  Where was the outrage when Rider hosted only liberals right before the 2008 election?  Is it only conservative students who care about an honest, intellectual debate on this campus?  While we may not agree with Gov. Huckabee on every issue his presence here brought 700 students and community members together to listen to him speak.  This was a success for the Rebovich Institute and the University.  Rider can finally be seen as an open intellectual center where students can disagree but remain passionate at the same time.

There are two sides to every argument.  In politics, we call this a bias.  College campuses are known for having a liberal bias, and Rider is certainly no exception.  So when a conservative Republican came to campus, there was bound to be hundreds of liberal students, with pitchforks and torches held high, banishing this evil man from campus.  At least, that is what Dr. Goldie and his protesters wanted you to think.  To the contrary: the community of students showed itself not as a politically apathetic school, but as one who is tolerant and accepting of all view points. We wish that the students could teach a thing or two to the faculty who decided that their own personal politics was more important than an intellectual debate on the issues.

That being said, this paper proved to be an unfortunate tool to the leftist Goldies. Last week’s editorial was a lapse in quality journalism. Editorials are going to be biased, as they are opinions, but opinions should stand by fact and reason. The editorial board made several rather lamentable attempts to conceal their aversion to the successful night. First, they charged Gov. Huckabee of being a hypocrite for coming from humble beginnings and traveling in a limo.  However, most speakers don’t go on speaking tours in Honda Civics, especially when they are a former candidate for president. Even Al Gore travels in carbon consuming luxury. Moreover, Rider is an expensive private University; attacking Gov. Huckabee for being wealthy is quite hypocritical as we spend upwards of thirty thousand a year for tuition.

Thirdly, they asserted Gov. Huckabee neglected to address the protesters. While he did not invite Dr. Goldie up on stage and decorate him with some sort of medal, he did tell the audience to respect those who had contrary opinions, so long as they could articulate them. Fourthly, Rider News arraigned that Gov. Huckabee did not speak about solutions. However, he spoke in detail about out of control taxes and solving this problem by implementing the fair tax.  But that aside, this was a speech not a lecture, Gov. Huckabee was not in an atmosphere to delve into a wonkish oration.

Rider news and its Goldies were too narrow-minded to admit the full success of Gov. Huckabee’s speech, and instead chose to besmirch the notion of bipartisanship. There is reason to disagree with Gov. Huckabee’s claims, but complete opposition to his arrival does little good for the university and the free flow of ideas.

Written by Joshua Hursa and Kyle Collins, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Rider University College Republicans, on behalf of the entire Rider University College Republican executive board.

Categories: Announcements
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