At college: Tanya Renicker, a junior at Ohio University in Athens, campaigns locally for McCain-Palin when she isn’t studying. (Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff)
The new voter: From an early age, a GOP activist is born
Tanya Renicker of Ohio University bucks the ‘youth vote’ trend to back McCain-Palin, even going door to door on the ticket’s behalf.
By Alexandra Marks | October 27, 2008 edition
Reporter Alexandra Marks discusses young adults voting in the past and how one Ohio college student is trying to make a difference for the candidate of her choice.
Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Ohio college student Tanya Renicker became enamored of politics in sixth grade. She liked Rudolph Guiliani, voted first for Mike Huckabee, and now backs John McCain.
Athens, Ohio
From the time Tanya Renicker was in sixth grade, she knew she’d vote as soon as she could. Soon after she turned 18 last year, she drove the 16 miles from her family’s farm in Sherrodsville, Ohio, to the Tuscarawas County Courthouse and registered to vote.
On March 4, the day of the Republican primary in Ohio, she pulled the lever for the first time.
“My mom took a picture of me going in to vote,” she says. “It was such an emotional experience. I was so excited to have a say in our government. I just wish everybody was as excited about it as I am.”
Not so long ago, this young woman would have had little company. Many young people were tuned out from politics. Fewer than half of those ages 18 to 24 who were eligible to cast ballots in 2000 actually did so. But this could be called the Year of the Young. Fully 86 percent of young people say they will probably vote on Nov. 4, polls show.
Tanya, however, is not like a majority of her peers: She’s a committed Republican. Young people are voting for Democrat Barack Obama by more than 60 percent, according to a recent poll by the Democratic polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. A separate poll by nonpartisan Zogby International – this one of cellphone users, who tend to be young – found a similar result.
Undaunted, Tanya intends to cast her first presidential vote on Election Day for John McCain – and to persuade as many other young people as she can in this battleground state to do so as well.
“A lot of people are voting early and doing voting absentee, but I’m going to the polls on Nov. 4 to cast my ballot. I want to get my ‘I voted today’ sticker,” says Tanya, a junior at Ohio University in Athens. “I’ve been waiting for this a long time.”
* * *
Tanya has been smitten with politics ever since her first real lesson in American history, in sixth grade. She can’t explain why, but the story of how the United States was founded, how the Constitution was written, fascinated her. That evolved into a passion for politics, since “it all comes together there.”
“Back then,” she recalls, “all my friends’ families were liberals except one, my friend Kinsey, and me. We used to say, ‘We love George Bush’ when we really didn’t know that much about politics yet. My interest has just grown since then.”
Tanya and her younger sister were raised on a family farm, the same one where their mother grew up, in the rolling hills of eastern Ohio. The family grows Christmas trees on some of their 300 acres. Her father is a sheet metal worker, a union man. Her mother stayed home and raised the girls. Conversation at the dinner table occasionally touched on politics. Tanya would go to the polls with her mother when she voted, but most of her life revolved around dance, theater, cheerleading, and the everyday activities of school and church. “I definitely don’t fit the Republican stereotype – I was really artsy in high school,” she says.
* * *
The events of 9/11 in 2001 galvanized Tanya, transforming an interest in politics into a genuine, daily concern.
“I was in my fourth-period reading literature class when I found out,” she says. “At that moment I didn’t really realize what had happened. We had a football game that night and they canceled it, and I thought, ‘I don’t understand why they did that.’ ”
At home later that day, the full implication of the attack hit her. “That made me that much more interested in politics and national defense and all of the other countries in the world that aren’t like America,” she says.
About that same time, things were changing in her family. Her father had worked his way up the union ladder to become a foreman. Her mother was turning the family farm into a nursery and garden center. Hard work was at the foundation of their lives. From girlhood, Tanya helped out with the Christmas tree business. As it grew into a nursery, she spent spring breaks and summer vacations helping her mother. When Tanya turned 16, old enough to work in an office, she got a summer job at the company where her father works. At the same time, she was taking college courses while still in high school.
Politics also became a more regular topic over dinner. Tanya soon came to understand that her father was more liberal than her mother. She started watching TV news with her mom – an activity that she says probably helped shape her core, conservative political ideas.
“I took the initiative and came to college … because I want to get a good job. We weren’t guaranteed to have a good life,” she says. “I don’t want my tax dollars to go to people who didn’t take the initiative to work hard and get a better job. I know that sounds cynical.”
Since high school, Tanya has been honing that notion that individuals are responsible for themselves. Her former boyfriend, a firefighter and emergency medical technician, is a union member like her father. “We would get into fights about unions all the time. I thought there was a time and place for them, but that time’s past,” she says.
Her mother is pleased that Tanya has retained her conservative convictions, despite heading off to the more liberal environment of college.
“I’m glad she’s stayed conservative. I know a lot of times they change when they leave home and get on their own,” says Holly Renicker, reached by phone at the family nursery.
Mrs. Renicker credits that in part to Tanya’s regular attendance at the United Methodist Church. “She would compare the political views with her biblical and religious beliefs and form her opinion that way.”
* * *
Being on her own and becoming more politically active have changed Tanya somewhat: She’s toughened up and learned to compromise.
When she came to Ohio University, she joined the College Republicans. Compared with the hundreds of College Democrats, the Republican club is small, 40 to 50 people.
Being a small-town girl – “population: 300,” Tanya says of Sherrodsville – she says her first experiences as an active Republican on a campus and in a town that lean Democratic were something of a shock.
“Last year, the first time I started going door to door [campaigning for a Republican presidential hopeful] and getting doors slammed in my face I thought, ‘This is so awful. How can anyone be so mean?’ Where I come from, everybody knows each other and nobody would do that,” she says. “But I’ve developed a thicker skin now that I’m campaigning more.”
A more positive experience for her was a trip to the nation’s capital with the College Republicans for the annual meeting of C-PAC, the Conservative Political Action Committee.
“It was almost like a political camping trip,” says Dennis Normile, who calls himself an “elder statesman” of OU’s College Republicans and who has become a mentor of sorts to Tanya. “That was a good experience because she met a lot of notable conservatives and Republicans, so-called icons of the movement. Plus, you really get to know the people around you.”
When she isn’t studying, Tanya now spends most of her free time knocking on doors for John McCain and Sarah Palin, and for other Republicans running in statewide races. She plans one day to run for office herself.
* * *
Tanya is discouraged that more young people don’t share her political views, but she’s also pleased they are showing so much interest in the election this year. “No matter who you vote for, I think you should vote, rather than not,” she says.
Tanya has also learned that politics requires compromise. When the presidential race began two years ago, she backed former New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani. By the time she voted in the presidential primary, he’d dropped out of the race, so she went for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Now she’s working for a McCain-Palin victory because, she says, she is a Republican. But her political heart remains with Mr. Guiliani.
“He dealt so well with 9/11 and cut crime in New York. He could have done a lot of good things for this country,” she says. “But I hope John McCain will, too.”
Comments
2. Dave Wesely | 10.27.08
I used to be a regular reader and subscriber to CSM, It used to be balanced and accurate. Now it is just accurate and leaning conservative. Why is this even a story? Is it because Tanya is more of an aberration among younger voters? I find much more relevant stories about individuals in the blogosphere, so if that is what I am looking for, that is where I will go.
3. nick | 10.27.08
they haveaw a Farm? oh yeah she understands the travails of the common man living in inner city!
4. Dave Wesely | 10.27.08
McCain has been caught in more lies than I can count, and don’t even get me started on Palin… Tanya doesn’t mention why she is voting McCain-Palin other than the fact she is a Republican. She also talks about how she felt Mayor Guiliani, “Dealt so well with 9/11 and cut crime in New York.” I live in NY, and let me say that Guiliani made things worse here, and that crime is up in New York because of his policies. She says Guiliani would have done good things for America, and “hopes” John McCain will as well. Shouldn’t she be voting for someone she “knows” will do a good job?
5. Zach | 10.27.08
Tanya doesn’t mention why she is voting McCain-Palin other than the fact she is a Republican. She also talks about how she felt Mayor Guiliani, “Dealt so well with 9/11 and cut crime in New York.” Who is she to say so? She lives in Ohio, I live in New York. Things are worse because of Guiliani. She also says Guiliani would have done good things for America, and “hopes” John McCain will as well. Shouldn’t she be voting for someone she “knows” will do a good job?
6. Jake | 10.27.08
First Guiliani, then Huckabe, now McCain? As someone who claims to be enamored by poilitics, she should know the meaning behind the term: flipflopper. I think her political bias is obvious (and sad) in that she would vote for anyone based on their party, not the candidate.
7. Mike | 10.28.08
In defense of CSM, this article appears to be very fair. I went to Ohio University and can tell you that her beliefs and political affiliation are very much in the minority. The story enlightens us that youthful passion about politics doesn’t solely reside left of center on college campuses. Regarding her reasons for liking McCain (because she’s a republican), the lack of critical thought given by supporters of EITHER candidate this election is enough to make our founders roll in their graves.
8. Christiani | 10.28.08
She’s pretty cute… for a republican. Cute story but we are no longer living in a “Dorothy world” so wake up America. Time to roll up our sleeves and inspire change, and make change.
9. Madelline | 10.28.08
Some people have commented that there is no point for this article and it shows that CSM is biased. I don’t agree. The reporter wanted to highlight the fact that though polls say the youth vote will be strongest this upcoming election and that most youth will vote for Obama, there are other young voters out there galvanized to vote and who plan on voting Republican. It’s a change of perspective on the “youth vote” story.
10. Charlie | 10.28.08
Most of the responders here seem acidicly jaded.
This story reminds me of how I came of age during the rise of Reagan and emerged a liberal. I guess many of you will find fault with me for supporting Mondale and Dukakis when I regarded neither of them as top-shelf people of the Democratic Party at that time. I can guarantee you that my ability to expound on policy was less than well-developed at that age. Nonetheless, I already knew my values and knew that the Reagan/Bush dynasty violated almost everything I believed.
I’m guessing I disagree with this woman on nearly everything but this story strikes a chord with me in one way. It reminds me of what it meant to stand up for my beliefs as a young man when the party of my choice was failing dramatically. It is nothing new for a young person’s political ideals to be forged in the fires of a party going down in flames. That’s the story I see here.
Obama took his first steps as a left-wing activist during the very same Reagan years that formed me. There is ALWAYS new energy popping up on the other side of the aisle and it has real implications for the future.
11. si | 10.28.08
good point below john , i beleve that madate should come before a default belief . if her father were to lose his job as a result of mccain’s policies , would she still uphold her support . obama betters mccain on the majority of issues . he has run a better campain and looks very poised to lead america foward in the modern world .
12. Jim Harris | 10.28.08
I am surprised by the negative comments regarding this girl simply because she is a Republican. Amazing! I thought the Democrats/liberals were the party of choice, the party that is open to all points of view. That is so far from the truth. Now, if you have a McCain bumper sticker on your car, especially on a college campus, your car gets trashed. Liberals cannot accept another point of view. I have seen that in action when I was in college. At that time I almost registered Democrat and it sickened me when I saw how (at that time) Bush/Quayle supporters cars were ransacked. Many of these posts likewise sicken me.
This girl should be applauded for being interested in politics at such a young age. God bless her!
13. Jim | 10.28.08
You know, after I wrote a prevous post, I felt I should add an addendum. First, Tanya, although 18 and in college, in my mind is still a child. I don’t like reading attacks on “children.” That being said, I must add that not all liberals or Democrats are as I described above. I have seen good young people campaigning for Mr. Obama and they have been polite and well-informed. I am always glad to see young people getting involved in politics. I do vote for Democratic candidates when their views are akin to my own. There are good people of all political stripes. I apologize to any I offended for expressing my feelings with such a broad brush. The attitude I meant to articulate in my previous post is political extremism. I grant you, there are extremists on both sides of the political aisle and when they step out of line, their actions should should be addressed. I think both Senator McCain and Senator Obama have spoken out when supporters cross the line. That is good.
14. Ed Gonzalez-Acosta | 10.28.08
Glad to see younger voters active. I also applaud the diversity in life-experience and political philosophy. We can’t all think the same. However, one thing stuck me about the Mother’s comment - “the more liberal environment of college.” WHy is this the case? perhaps in college people get a chance to read and become expose to more than their life and their community. THis exposure sometimes allows people to realized the fallacies of “conservative approach” to the “individual is king.” If all of us started on an even playing field, then maybe one could speak of equal opportunity for all; but despite doors being open for, seemingly, everyone, people with a privileged background have an upper hand getting through the door. Having graduated from Swarthmore, worked for Accenture, and finishing my PhD in Political Science (hopefully defending in the Spring), has allowed me to see a broad view of society, and NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME RESOURCES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE IN THE U.S. Until we do, that’s when an individualist approach can be more justified. Moreover, also need to ask ourselves what type of society we want - one w/ huge inequalities where the working class and poor are dehumanized; or a more egalitarian one.
15. Amanda | 10.28.08
I rarely comment, but some of the above commentators have been way out of line. The CSM is biased simply because it presents another point of view? How many articles has it done on the youth support for Obama’s campaign? Are those more acceptable simply because you agree with them?
Kudos to this girl, who has found her passion early in life and is working hard for it, and it’s always nice to see reporting on the nuances of politics - I count on the Monitor to tell me the things the other newspapers aren’t bothering to research.
16. jean snyder | 10.28.08
It would be more balanced if the CSM would ask why someone is voting for NADER.
17. John Pedler | 10.28.08
It is the neo-Republicans that frighten us Europeans with their neo-con unipolar world and bash anyone who stands in the way. But the traditional Republicans (might we say Eisenhower Republicans?) with their sense of responsibility of the fortunate towards the less fortunate, duty towards the nation, respect for allies, care for the social fabric, and upholder of traditional values such as the family - these make a good balancing factor to the extreme “liberals” with their “political correctness” - i.e. I’ll make you agree with me outlook.
I hope this courageous young lady will prove to be the best of Republicanism and help revive that party as the essential balance in any democracy.
18. Christopher Bieda | 10.28.08
In response to the writer who implicitly questioned how someone from a farm could understand the life of the inner city man, does that mean that a man from Chicago is unqualified to represent farmers or small-town America?
19. Laua | 10.28.08
Tanya is a lovely youngster, but she’s way too young and idealistic to begin to comprehend the current worldwide tsunami of opposition to the GOP. There’s a seemingly endless war still raging in Iraq, Osama has thumbed his nose at the USA for seven years, and some of our allies are suffering terribly because they hitched themselves to our ill-fated economic wagon. Here at home millions have been laid off, lost their homes, and watched their lifes’ savings and childrens’ legacies bleed away, while–incredibly–the corporations that knowingly created the mess are being bailed out by nearly a trillion dollars, courtesy of those same devastated taxpayers. All of it was guaranteed to make people think long and hard about who truly deserves their vote on November 4th, and this was well before the highest-paid McCain staffer turned out to be a hair/makeup artist fresh from “Dancing With the Stars”…Enough is enough. The GOP is now a complete farce. Tanya’s verve is refreshing–but hopelessly naive.
20. Mark M. | 10.28.08
I’ve met Tanya, and she’s a wonderful lady, no kid with stars in her eyes. She has well thought-out reasons why she is working for McCain-Palin, and is able to see through the vague promises of “change” of the clearly socialist Obama campaign, unlike so many college students today.
Go Tanya and College Republicans everywhere! You Rock!
21. Fredrik | 10.28.08
Even though I consider myself a democrat I also applaud Tanya’s enthusiasim. There’s nothing wrong with getting started early and there’s nothing wrong with changing your mind either. I just wanted to make sure she doesn’t think that democrats are evil.
22. Skitman | 10.28.08
It’s great to hear that other young people are getting so actively involved in politics. The only shame in it however is that they do so without actively sifting through all the bologna to reach truth and facts. If Tanya were to actually read the current scholarly literature on such issues as free/fair trade or on the driving forces behind radical islamic jihad then I am sure she wouldn’t be backing McCain so blindly - heck, I’m sure no one would if they actually knew why things are the way they are. Tanya is just one of the many new ‘politicos’ that has been bred by the current media machine as it pertains to dramaticising politics. It’s unfortunate to see such a potentially bright young mind be swept up by the propaganda and populism of the GOP. Heck, I actually hope Tanya reads this comment and decides to actually go beyond what the candidates and their partisan think-tanks say in pursuit of real truth. Concern yourself more with the ‘why’ things are the way they are (this requires a little bit of research) and you’ll come to see that reality does, in fact, have a liberal bias. Afterall, it was those darn liberals that ended slavery, gave women the right to vote, advocated human and civil rights, and came to realize that absolute monarchies aren’t really the way things should be done…
23. Vic | 10.28.08
This was a great story. It’s a bit sad, because this girl seems confused and doesn’t (yet, hopefully) seem able to think logically about her positions. For example, she says, “I don’t want my tax dollars to go to people who didn’t take the initiative to work hard and get a better job.” How many times have you heard some variation of this? It’s a talking point. It’s based on the proposition that if you pay taxes, they will subsidize people who don’t work hard. Unless she thinks her father and former boyfriend are lazy, she’ll run into a logical contradiction if she followed the deduction. Or, who knows? Maybe she does think they’re lazy. And I’m not saying she’s irrational because she’s not a Democrat, just that she’s irrational. It’s perfectly possibly to be both a Republican and rational, even, believe it or not, a Republican *because* you’re rational (just being playful, don’t get worked up). It’s interesting to think about what it is that shapes her political views, though — it’s obviously not reason. Fascinating article!
24. Germany | 10.28.08
I am not sure which is worse, that she goes with a party or that we fault her for that. Most vote with a party, not with a person or message. I would love to see a report over promises that were kept by all presidential canidates from either party. I believe they all lie. They all talk about being different, but how different can you be once you get there. I would probably sing a different tune with so much power and money around me. All we have is hope. That our parties will become what we believe they are or finally live up to all of the promises that they have made. And without even seeing the above requested report, I can tell you that both parties have a long way to go. I am happy that someone even cares enough to say they care.
25. Tricia R. | 10.28.08
I think that this was a good artical about my sister. I am glad to have her as my sister.YOU GO TANYA !!!!!
26. Daniel (from Italy) | 10.28.08
Wake up! Obama is equal to Carter! The most failed of Presidents of USA! Obama has compare himself to Reagan, not to Carter!
Let you Go and vote for McCain!
In four years you will see the error you whether Obama will win!
27. brent | 10.28.08
what a crock. i wonder if they told her what to say or gave her a few weeks to come up with this
and she’s against unions? funny, sounds like one was responsible for helping put food on her table, i don’t think a Christmas tree farm, as cutesy as that is, would bring in as much cash.
I’m not advocating blind allegiance to the Democrats, or their philosophy, but it’s the hometown version of Lindsey Lohan’s political tirade.
28. Rob | 10.28.08
So what does she spend her time studying? If she had a grip on the issues she might realize why people are so shocked at her support of McCain. Poor ignorant girl.
29. Haakon Ogbeide | 10.28.08
I am similar to Tanya in many ways. I’m at a similar age (24), come from a similar class (middle class), and share an equal interest in politics. The main difference is that I’m a democrat and big Obama supporter.
Although I prefer to see the world from a different perspective than Tanya, I respect her for encouraging people to stand up and take an interest in their government. I hope Tanya will come to truly understand the perspective of her dad and people who do not share her values. I also hope she will look deeper into history to see how the American history that sparked her interest in right-wing politics also forms the basis for much of present day liberal politics.
30. Linda | 10.28.08
I know the feeling because my “political heart” is with Mike Huckabee 100% but my vote is going to John McCain because there is NO COMPARISON to the kind of presidency John McCain will have vs. Barack Obama. We CANT AFFORD 4 yrs. of an Obama presidency!!!!
31. Justin | 10.29.08
I enjoy reading comments from readers that the christian monitor is too conservative. There are how many liberal based media outlets and you complain about the few that aren’t. Come on democrats we already have to pay taxes so you can get your entitlement checks give csm a break. Also what do you expect with christian based media of course it is conservative. Your best bet is to go back and take a couple hits from your bong and come back when you need a little dose of reality.
32. Emily Weaver | 10.29.08
I am a Obama supporter and have been since the beginning of his campaign. This being said, Tanya Renicker has been one of my 3 best friends since the 5th grade. These people who are commenting on her character and her beliefs have never met her, and therefore have no idea what kind of person she is or why she holds those beliefs. Just because your political views don’t match hers doesn’t give you the right to call her ignorant. I don’t agree with Tanya’s political beliefs, but I have tremendous respect for the passion she has for our country and the time she puts into campaigning for what she believes in. We all should.
33. kYnsey | 10.30.08
I loved the article Tanya. (esp cause I was in it lol) but whoever thinks that you can be young, conservitave , AND idealistic after watching a nation of your peers be brainwashed by the Obama media blitz and a vague promise for “change”, is crazy. I think we (young republicans) leave idealism and that Dorathy World for the young liberals who are being told by Jay Z and like celerbities who to vote for.
34. Raul Buenos Noches | 11.02.08
I applaud Tanya for at least having an opinion. Funny how Liberals will skewer you if you don’t see things their way. Also, accolades for the Obama handlers for taking an episode form South Park and making it the platform for their election bid. “Change”, just like the crazy homeless people in South Park, liberals walk around spewing this word and really don’t know why. Everytime I hear it, or see the signs I can’t help but laugh.
“Change” is what you may get. Along with things that may in fact surprise you.
35. David | 11.03.08
Madelline got it right with her comments above. This story was about diversity of thought. Not “all” of the youth vote will be for Obama. After all, young voters really have no skin in the game. No job. No house. No kids. No consideration for “how” they are going to retire. Once you have those responsibilities, you have a different feel for what is important. So often, when people are young, they tend to be enamored with “what everybody else is doing”. What music their friends are listening to. What drugs they are doing. How much sex they are having. The young woman in this article doesnt sound like that type of girl. She seems like someone who is not interested the hype of peer pressure nor will she be victimized by silly fades and “massiah” movements. More power to her.
36. John | 11.04.08
“I don’t want my tax dollars to go to people who didn’t take the initiative to work hard and get a better job. I know that sounds cynical.”….The republican thought process in a beautifully concise nutshell. Don’t know her situation but i bet the better pay her father received as a unionized worker helped Tanya afford college.
37. Emily | 11.04.08
I don’t agree with this young woman’s views, but one of the main reasons I voted for Sen. Obama is that I appreciate his quality of thought, which I find significantly higher than that of most politicians in recent memory. I suspect that if Sen. Obama saw this article, he would be delighted to see a young woman taking such a keen interest in her country’s future and working so diligently in an effort to help it improve. I seriously doubt that he would bash her — the way some of his supporters here have — because her ideas about how to improve the world around her do not coincide with his own. I suspect he would thank her for caring enough about the electoral college to participate in it, and for having the courage to stand up for her convictions, even if he does not particularly agree with them.
Ideology is not offensive. Apathy is.
Congratulations, Ms. Renicker. That first trip to the polls is a huge milestone. Don’t let anybody — Republican, Democrat or otherwise — steal your joy today.
39. Snappy | 11.05.08
She’s a sad case. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Does she think objectively?
40. David | 11.06.08
What’s really interesting here is that people have been attracted to this article about a young Republican woman because (gasp) she’s young, a woman, and a Republican! This isn’t supposed to add up these days when it’s slightly dangerous to be a young person on a college campus and not to support Obama.
I’d like to see the CSM investigate the political hate (and yes, it’s bipartisan, to be sure) young people are dealing with as they become more politically active. As adults, political fights seldom spin truly out of control…but with more young people than ever before engaged in politics today, there’s a real danger of a ’spiral of silence’ effect–or far worse. There’s not a college student on campus today who doesn’t know this is true.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. john yelle | 10.27.08
Very sweet and very nice. I’m just disappointed that she says I’m republican so I like McCain. I’m glad she cares and votes I just wish she’d study and learn more. She should’ve said I’m Republican I don’t think, I follow. Believe me it shows.