Penn Law Republicans sing to, toast Reagan

The Penn Law Republicans broke out into a chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" last Tuesday as a waitress at the New Deck Tavern produced a cake reading "Happy Birthday Mr. President." Drinking beer and talking politics, approximately 10 students gathered to commemorate former President Ronald Reagan's 85th birthday. Clinging to the legacy of the man who "helped to restore pride in our country," first-year Law student Jorge Reynardus said he found the celebration meaningful. "He had his faults just like every other president," said Reynardus, adding, that Reagan's accomplishments still deem him a "living treasure." When clips from Reagan's presidency were flashed across the New Deck television set, a loud cry of "Cheers!" -- originating from the Penn Law Republican table -- could be heard throughout the room. First-year Law student Craig Hymowitz said he believes that the University's conservative population is growing due to the number of current students raised during the Reagan era. "I voted for Reagan in 1980," said Hymowitz. "My dad held me up and I pulled the lever." Penn Law Republicans Chairperson Dan Cord, a second-year Law student, said he admired Reagan for his unyielding desire to change the nation. "Reagan established what was important for America and did what was necessary to achieve those goals," Cord said. "He did not concern himself with the media or presentation." According to Penn Law Republicans Vice President and third-year Law student Allen Oh, people should not assume that Republicans are narrow-minded. "I think there exists a lot of room for different ideas [within the Republican party]," Oh said. "This includes room for more Libertarian type ideas." Cord reaffirmed Oh's position on the party's dynamism. "The Republican party has a broad appeal," Cord said. "Hot-button individuals are hurting the system by being signal issue voters." Despite persistent claims that the realm of the GOP encompasses a wide-range of individuals, some expressed a lack of tolerance for non-Republicans. President Clinton, repeatedly referred to as "Slick Willy," throughout the celebration, was a primary target of much criticism and contempt at the Penn Law Republican table. But those present focused more on the historical and contemporary attributes of the Republican party. "This whole event, from my perspective as a moderate, is that the conservative part of the party is not that bad," Cord said. "The religious right is no scarier than the controlling center or the loony left."