Republican Official Blasts Democrats in Campus Speech

The Democratic Party, like a child molester, has stolen the future of the state's youth, said California's top Republican in an on-campus speech yesterday.

"Gross negligence is too soft of a word," said Shawn Steel, chair of the California Republican Party. "It's almost like child molestation that prevents generations of young people from having an equal chance in our society."

In addition, the Republican spoke about the upcoming gubernatorial race and other hot-button political issues in front of an audience of UC Berkeley students. Steel, who was invited to address Alan Ross' Political Science 179 class, was greeted by an opposing, yet polite, crowd of students.

"I've got to thank your professor for inviting a Republican on campus," Steel said. " I just wasn't able to change into my trench warfare clothing that the campus requires."

The discussion centered on the upcoming gubernatorial race between Democratic Governor Gray Davis and the Republican nominee Bill Simon.

Steel voiced his support for Simon, who defeated Richard Riordan by 18 percent in Tuesday's primary to win the Republican nomination.

"At the end of the day, I just think the people liked Bill Simon, because he's so likable," Steel said. "I mean when you talk to him, he really pays attention to what you are saying and for a politician, that's all you need to know."

Sparing no opportunities to criticize Davis and the Democratic Party, Steel said that the Republican's main opposition is in its "last gasp for power." Steel added Davis was unethical, insecure and power hungry.

"He's amoral," Steel said. "Those are the most dangerous politicians because those are the ones that really care the least."

In addition to saying the governor lacks vision, Steel attacked Davis for overreacting to the energy crisis and accepting campaign contributions from Enron.

Some students were deeply offended by the views presented by Steel during his speech.

Carolyn Lai, a third-year student, said although she agreed with some of the attacks on Davis, she disagreed with Steel's rhetoric.

"I think his attack on Gray Davis was too harsh," Lai said. "It seemed it was more of mud-slinging than anything else. He went a bit far with the metaphors. It bugged me."

Steel also discussed the future of the California Republican Party, which he said has moved toward the center since Pat Buchanan left the party and is now more in tune with the needs of Californians.

Diversifying the party to include more women and minorities is the only way of making it into a majority party, he said.

The party must recruit missionaries to minority communities and elect minorities to local office, Steel added.

Simone Cifuentes, a first-year UC Berkeley student, disagreed with many of Steel's political views and doubted the accuracy of his statements.

"(His speech) was very slanted and out-of-touch," Cifuentes said. "He just seemed like a very angry person. Of course he has a right to his opinion, but his facts are skewed."

But with a strong showing from the Berkeley College Republicans in the audience, many were pleased with Steel's openly strong Republican message, saying it was "honest" and "refreshing."

Bret Manley, Executive Vice President of the Berkeley College Republicans, said he supported Steel's views.

"He made a lot of statements that (the Berkeley College Republicans) feel but won't say."

Referring to the alleged theft of 3,000 copies of the California Patriot last week, Steel criticized what he called "S.S. Nazi behavior" on campus.

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