Rain did not stop two dozen UNM Republicans from showing their support for George Bush July 15 at a Party for the President held at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house.
The party was one of 7,000 events held nationwide to "increase voter registration and expand the president's volunteer base," said Phil Garcia, a UNM student who organized the event.
"I wanted to host this, because on campus there is such a strong liberal pulse," Garcia said. "Throughout UNM, conservatives are overlooked."
The party lasted a little over an hour and featured speakers and a conference call from first lady Laura Bush.
"My husband loves meeting people, and America is safer and stronger since George W. Bush came into office," she said.
As the partygoers struggled to hear the call through the rain, Laura praised her husband's character and personal values.
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"He is honest and trustworthy," Laura said. "With George, you know he means what he says."
She also discussed the difficulties she said her husband faced in office.
"He has faced great challenges that would test the character of every leader," she said. "He has the character and integrity to lead America."
Morgan Pierce, co-chair of UNM College Democrats, said she disagreed.
"President Bush, if anything, has ruined America's integrity both here and abroad, and he has made a mockery of our national security," Pierce said.
The first lady asked for everyone's vote and thanked her husband's supporters before she answered questions from callers.
Before moving on to the speakers, a prayer was said and a moment of silence observed for soldiers who have died in Iraq.
Scott Darnell, state chairman of College Republicans, discussed the nation's economy.
"The Bush tax cuts are to all Americans and they are fair," Darnell said. "It puts money back into the economy so businesses grow and there are more jobs."
Pierce said the cuts are not fair and the statistics prove it.
"When you look at the averages, the top 1 percent of the nation is keeping more money than the lower 50 percent combined," she said.
Darnell also spoke on the importance of the state's youth.
"Young people need to mobilize and re-elect George W. Bush," he said. "We need to show John Kerry that New Mexico is in fact Bush country."
Pierce said she believes New Mexico's five votes will not go to Bush this fall.
"There is a lot of diversity in New Mexico, and the Bush administration just hasn't been catering to minority rights in office."
Garcia, the last to speak, said Kerry was "not his kind of guy."
"A few years ago, George W. Bush stood up to a great threat, and on November 2, I hope you vote for four more years for George W. Bush."
Garcia said he planned for the Bush supporters to parade through the streets shouting "four more years" after the party, but the parade was called off because of the weather.
