Brendan Nyhan

College Republicans: A classy organization

Via Michael Crowley at TNR, here’s another disturbing anecdote about College Republicans:

The College Republicans have other ideas, some not quite as mainstream as parading popular politicians.

Morgan Wilkins, the intern hired by the Republican National Committee to win the hearts and minds of Michigan 20-somethings, is planning events that some may find odd. To others, they may be offensive.

One such idea is “Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day,” in which a volunteer would play the part of an illegal immigrant and hide somewhere on campus while others try to find him. The winner would receive a prize.

Her other ideas include an event called “Fun with Guns,” in which young Republicans would use a BB gun or paintball gun to shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)

For more uplifting stories about the organization that trains many top Republican politicians and operatives, see here, here, and here.