Most college papers are reporting that recruitment numbers are way up and even national mediums report that the organizational/financial strength of college conservatives has reached unprecedented levels. On another note, the donations by those affiliated with academia to the Kerry campaign are FOUR TIMES the amount given to Gore in 2000. These facts deserve the following questions. 1) Why is academia so supportive of Kerry as compared to Gore, and 2) regardless of who wins the election, is it fair to say the last time the campus was this polarized was during the 1960s? Will this tension continue after the election? Issues of war and peace have traditionally energized the campus unlike domestic policy, so that perhaps is the answer to question (1) and the reason for (2).

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Donations by those affiliated with academia to the Kerry campaign are FOUR TIMES the amount given to Gore in 2000. 1) Why is academia so supportive of Kerry as compared to Gore?

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Academia is taking this election more personal than the 2000 election.

Hatred drives the Democratic base (academia included) in general like voter suppression propaganda motivates the African-American base in particular.

Leftist's offer several rationalizations for their hatred of George W.

Florida recount (Gore really won)
9-11 (justified)
Iraq War (pre-emptive strike, unjustified)
Conservatism (misguided)

Leftist's bemoan, "How dare an illegitimate, crusading, war-mongering traditionalist defend the United States of America when we deserve everything we get after raping innocent civilizations for so many decades. I'm not gonna take it. Where's my checkbook?"

The professor's wife looks at her husband with concern as she watches him fill out a check for $250. "But honey, do you really support John Kerry that much?"

"No, damnit. It's not that I'm particularly fond of John Kerry in so much that I'm driven by an uncontrollable hatred for Bush."

I'm no social scientist, but I think there is a connection between Democrat's "hatred" and the level of "political contributions" they are willing to make. I've got a hunch the two are related.

I think Democratic strategist's realize the power of hate as a motivating force to drive contributions and voter turnout. Academics seem eager to answer the call they recognize best.

Hate, versus hope...

The "Anybody but Bush" mentality is definately playing some sort of role, but there are also long-term, transitional, even demographic changes occuring in academia. Even if the hatred of Bush was not that intense, I think we would still see the same support of Kerry relative to Gore in 2000. We're seeing the sons and daughters of parents influenced by the Reagan Revolution enter academia - this is one reason for the growing number of conservatives. Since 2000 this trend has become much more evident and within academia there is perhaps a growing frustration with it. Freshmen are no longer just taking what their professors say as golden - they are challenging their assumptions and beliefs with an unseen intensity. And what do you do when that happens? Find your base again and argue back as vociferously. Or just give more money to the Kerry campaign.

I would have to attribute the rise in support among university faculty for Kerry over Gore to not only their hatred of Bush (which is not only unwarranted, but makes me question their fitness to vote), but also that they had a strong belief that Gore would soundly defeat Bush. They are desperate and will stop at nothing to see Bush voted out. I shudder to think what our Founders are thinking about us right now being so polarized and having the issues with the election. Kerry supporters within the university are afraid as I have heard an idea that if they lose this one that the Democratic Party stands very little chance of gaining back power as by the next election (2008) there will be a generational difference and with this rise in campus conservatism I would not be surprised.

At our university professors gave to democrats over bush 90% to 10%. This issue, we're publishing the names and amounts of what they gave and to who. It'll make a great guide for finding out which professors are the most biased, and it's just in time for spring registration.

heheheh

Leo Buchignani
Editor, The Orange and Blue Observer
University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana