Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Wisconsin student vote urged at Democratic Party meeting
By Jennifer Page
The Daily Cardinal (U. Wisconsin)
10/04/2006

(U-WIRE) MADISON, Wis. — With a month left until the Nov. 7 election, Joe Wineke, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, spoke Tuesday about the importance of student involvement to the University of Wisconsin at Madison College Democrats.

"There are 35 days until the election," said Wineke, a UW-Madison alumnus and former senator. "Thanks to Bush, Foley and the American people waking up to what's happening ... there is an opportunity to take back our country."

With a rally-like atmosphere, the students present at the meeting encouraged Wineke with cheering when he talked about Gov. Jim Doyle's opponent U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay.

Kevin Vrevich, a freshman at UW-Madison, said he was excited to have an important party leader present to talk to students about getting involved with campaigning. "The base is pretty fired up already," he said.

Wineke fired the crowd by talking about reproductive rights, the ban on gay marriage and financial aid for college students. "The Republicans want you to be barefoot and pregnant," Wineke said in regards to the Republican stance on the availability of contraceptives to college students.

Eli Lewien, chairman of the College Democrats at UW-Madison, is anticipating a big campaigning effort by students in the next month. "After midterms week, there will be a final push to get Doyle elected," Lewien said.

Wineke also encouraged students to follow the debate this Friday between Doyle and Green.

"Fight for a month," Wineke said. "It will be worth it in the long run."

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