The Tripod

Reid Vineis (sitting in the White House) is the President of the Trinity College Republicans. [Click to enlarge]

Features Editor Courtney Cregan speaks with the President of Trinity College Republicans Reid Vineis '10.

Courtney Cregan: What motivated you to become so involved with the College Republicans?

Reid Vineis: College Republicans are really the backbone of the Republican party. Nationwide, our group is the largest grassroots political organization. Come election time, our manpower is a vital resource in turning out voters. Here, at Trinity, I want to make sure that people with conservative ideologies have a comfortable venue. People often assume that college students are all liberal, but that's just not the case. Many of us don't support Obama or Clinton, enjoy driving our SUV and supporting the troops.

Cregan: What about the Republican Party appeals to you?

Vineis: The Republican Party is all about personal responsibility. We believe that individuals know what is best for themselves, not politicians in Washington. And to that extent, we also feel that we should take care of our own problems. Republicans don't feel that the government should be a safety net for all people. For example, I don't agree with the fact that the harder I work, the more money the government is going to take from me to give to people who don't work. I mean how would you like it if you worked really hard to get a high G.P.A., say a 3.7, and the school decided to take .5 and give it to the guy who failed because he skipped class? It doesn't make sense.

Cregan: How would you describe political involvement by students at Trinity?

Vineis: Trinity students know a great deal about politics. I'm always amazed at how well versed some of my friends without political backgrounds are about current events. And they have very strong opinions about those events. But what many people don't know is how to get involved: how to express those opinions.

Cregan: How do you hope the College Republicans can help Trinity students?

Vineis: College Republicans hopes to give people who have such strong views a way to manifest those them. So say you have a really strong opinion on healthcare policy, if you come to a CR meeting you'll probably meet like-minded people. Then, collectively, you can take action and spread your views.

Cregan: What have you done for the club so far? What do you have planned?

Vineis: We try and run the club to provide services to our members. College Republicans have a large amount of resources to help anyone with a conservative mindset. We can set people up with conservative internships, get you involved in a campaign, teach you about a specific topic, etc. We also try to have fun too. So, later in the spring, we'll be going paintballing and having speakers talk to us.

Cregan: What was your first political experience? Where does your passion for politics come from?

Vineis: My parents are involved in politics so they always drag me to political events. But the first real experience that affected me was a summer internship I had in high school. I interned for a committee in the House of Representatives, and I had a blast. I literally ran into members and senators all the time. I wrote speeches for my boss and was given lots of responsibility. But the biggest thing was that I saw was how people in government have the power to change lives, for better or worse. And I said to myself that I want to be a part of this.

Cregan: Do you have any aspirations for a career in politics?

Vineis: My dream is to be a senior staffer on a national campaign. That's really the top of the political profession.

Cregan: Who do you support in the upcoming election? Why?

Vineis: I support John McCain. Not only is he the Republican nominee and an American hero, but he is the most qualified for the job. His long career in the senate has made him well versed on hundreds of policy issues. He understands military strategy and knows to trust generals, not pundits. And McCain knows how to make hard decisions in rough times, not waffle or follow the political winds. That's what we need these days.

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