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."

In their remarks at the meeting, HRC board members alluded often to the task of surviving as a conservative at Harvard, referring to the experience as both a challenge and an opportunity.

Adam R. Perlman '03, who attended the meeting, said HRC can succeed, even in a Democratic stronghold like Massachusetts.

"There are small victories that can be won from just convincing a few people that not only are the Republicans not evil, but that they also care about people," he said. "Give us a chance."

The emphasis of conservative ideals more than the politics of the presidential race seemed to rub off on the first-years in attendance.

During an election for first-year board members at the conclusion of the meeting, candidates avoided mentioning specific Republican Party policies. Instead, they promoted either their political experience or enthusiasm for conservatism.

Not one of the first-year candidates mentioned George W. Bush.

Old-Fashioned Politics

Despite the focus on ideology rather than policy, HRC did not completely ignore George W. Bush's campaign.

Robert R. Porter '01, chair of the Bush campaign at Harvard, said HRC members would work actively to support Bush's presidential bid.

Although he never predicted victory for Bush, Porter showed clear enthusiasm for the governor's campaign and promised that the candidate would only get stronger.

"The campaign is really starting to turn around," Porter said. "When the Olympics end, we're going to have an all-out battle."

Since Massachusetts is considered a virtual shoo-in for Gore, Porter said he would focus the club's efforts in New Hampshire and Maine, both of which are considered swing states in the upcoming election.

Porter hopes to send students to the two states each weekend until the election.

"We're going to do some old-fashioned campaigning," he said.

Porter also pledged to hold a rally outside of the first presidential debate, to be held Oct. 3 at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Yet despite a general feeling of support for Bush among club officers, talk of the Bush campaign was largely kept to Porter's presentation.

Equal time was allotted to parliamentarian Justin A. Barkley '02, who spoke solely about the need for conservatism in the Undergraduate Council.

Join the Party

The club plans to lure first-year students not only by spreading its party's message, but also by emphasizing its social side.

"Freshmen want to see an organization that shows leadership and has goals and has fun," Brinton said.

"We're a fun organization," Brinton added. "Students respond to that cause."

HRC has already made headlines with its "Party Watch" e-mail list, a weekly listing of weekend parties at Harvard sent to all club members.

Member-at-Large W. Lucien Smith '02, referred to at the meeting simply as the "party guy," compiles the listing.

Brinton said all five parties on last weekend's list were "jam-packed," and a couple had to be shut down due to overcrowding.

In addition to the party-watch e-mail list, HRC leaders emphasized the social aspect of the group by promising to directly challenge the Harvard College Democrats--in head-to-head debates at the Institute of Politics and on the paintball field.