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November 10, 2008

Infant GOP group seeing red at PSU

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

PLATTSBURGH — A group of Plattsburgh State students is gearing up to promote the Republican agenda at the county, state and federal level.

The organization, which calls itself Plattsburgh State Reds, is in its infancy. But leaders hope it can grow, establish a presence on campus and even put wheels in motion to spur global changes.

"Everyone laughed when I said it, but I would like to be president one day, though I would settle for Congress," said Oliver Barie, a Plattsburgh State student and driving force behind the new group.

The group plans to promote the GOP agenda by bringing Republican speakers to campus, helping its candidates at all levels, putting up political posters around campus and more.

So far, the group has around 10 members.

"We are still working on ideas," Barie said. "We want to come out with a bang."

Barie's interest in politics began around the seventh grade.

"I don't know why. I just kind of love it."

He is a political science major at Plattsburgh State and is the chairman of the Town of Champlain Republican Committee.

"I was put on the committee on the day of my 18th birthday," said Barie, now 19. "Three or four months later, I was made chairman."

He plans to run for office one day and aspires to be president of the United States.

"I think I can make the world a better place," Barie said. "I can make changes, though ultimately it comes down to a desire to help people."

He wanted to form a student Republicans group at Plattsburgh State when he noticed the atmosphere of the this year's presidential election heating up.

"A lot of young kids are getting more involved in politics. I want to express my opinions, and I think people should hear both sides."

The stereotype of a college campus is that it's filled with liberal professors pushing their agendas and producing left-wing students. But Barie said that is not how he perceives the environment at his university.

"Plattsburgh State is different. Professors are willing to listen to opposing views. For the most part, they play down the middle and make arguments for both sides."

He thinks that makes it easier for students not to be biased.

"It's important to hear both sides of an issue."

As for Barie, he has chosen his side.

"I am the product of a mixed marriage. My mother is a Democrat, and my father is a Republican. I found myself leaning Republican."

He recently read an article that reported the top 5 percent of wagers earning $150,000 or more contribute 60 percent of all taxes. Barie found himself frustrated with the story.

"How much more do they have to pay?"

He started wondering about his own future.

"What if I become successful? Why should I have to pay all that money?"

That inspired him to become more involved with the presidential race.

"We could end up paying more taxes than ever before. That is worth fighting for."

Plattsburgh State Reds has held only two meetings so far. The students are finishing the organization's constitution and plan to submit it shortly to the Student Association.

"We hosted a (Congressman John) McHugh event, and some of our members were in attendance," Barie said. "We have about 10 members on paper, and we are still organizing, but it is coming along. We literally just got off the ground two or three weeks ago."

He's been tossing around ideas for the group with fellow members.

"Right now, we are just hoping members find two or more members, and eventually we will have a presence on campus."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

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