“I have a love for the game.”  Of course, even though I know my life in politics is anything but a game, those were the words I used when asked, “Why ASuop, Adam?”  For me, my love for politics, for “the game,” began Election Night 2000.

I was a freshman in high school and found involvement opportunities in government through the student government association.  The years progressed, and I became a student at the University of the Pacific and instantly wanted to be apart of the Associated Students.  As Vice President, I had decided that it was in the best interests of the organization and the students that I run for President.

Running for the position of President during the spring of ’06 was a very challenging part of my college career.  The tricky part for me was running against my former running mate, the incumbent.  As fate would have it, we ended up being on opposite sides of the political spectrum. I am an active conservative Republican, and my opponent is a liberal Democrat.

The race was not at all about partisan politics, but that is not to say the campaign nor the Associated Students in general are completely void of it.  A great many of the former and current students involved in ASuop have not warmed up to my idea of the way our state, this country, and our foreign policy should be run.  As students, we always try to leave partisan politics out of conversation. When we get things done for the students or when we focus on an issue, we do leave politics out.  But above all, student leaders are human beings.  It is only natural that beliefs and values will be brought up for discussion.

I am currently President of an organization that brought Michael Moore to campus just four years ago.  Needless to say, that type of decision would never have been made under my administration.  Mr. Moore has shown one-sided, bias, anti-American sentiment on topics such as the war on terrorism.  As one can see, politics get into the limelight with certain decisions, i.e. “do I bring Michael Moore to campus, or not?”  That is where clashing can and does occur among student leaders.

As a minority (Caucasian conservative male) on campus, and in my own office, it is often difficult to express my opinions without a backlash of other opinions that in the end seem to hold more weight than mine.  Having said that I will also say that is less of an issue this year.  I have the distinct pleasure of working with a wonderful team that does stand behind me and that I am confident will play an integral role in the development of this university in the following year (the following two years, God willing).

In addition to serving as the President of ASuop, I am also the President of the Pacific College Republicans, this puts me in very delicate position this coming year.  I am honored to hold both offices, but will be very strategic about how to concurrently execute the duties of both offices.  It is very easy for me to be very popular at one and very unpopular at the other, so, my goal and mission is to maintain a level of confidence around me throughout the year that says the contrary: I will do both, and I will succeed.

The challenge is, for example, how do I rally for Governor Schwarzenegger, whom I believe will lead this state in the right direction, without giving off the impression that I am alienating those that I represent as Student Body President who may be rooting for the other guy.  The answer is that I will execute the responsibilities as ASuop President on a nonpartisan level, and reserve my own time for the College Republicans to be used for my own personal political beliefs and aspirations.

In the end, I think this year will be very successful.  I see a Republican victory in November for Californians and also a victory for the students of the University of the Pacific.  I am lucky to be able to play an active role in both.