In an attempt to strengthen their growing organization, the Harvard Republican Club (HRC) has taken an unorthodox approach to attracting new members.

Despite being just weeks away from one of the most hotly-contested presidential elections in decades, HRC leaders largely strayed away from politics at their introductory meeting, instead emphasizing general conservative ideals and simple fun.

And apparently, the new approach is working. Almost 100 prospective members--mostly first-years, and far more than club leaders anticipated--attended Tuesday night's meeting in the Science Center.

Beyond the Election

Club leaders spent much of the meeting championing conservative ideals while telling prospective first-years about intellectual and social benefits to joining the organization.

"We want to educate, motivate and inspire students," said HRC President Jason P. Brinton '00-'02.

Brinton encouraged students to think critically and explore both sides of issues, particularly in Harvard's "liberal environment," as he called it.

"Don't be content with just hearing what your professor has to say, or what the New York Times has to say," Brinton told students. "Grab a Wall Street Journal, grab a Washington Times, grab a [Harvard] Salient."