College Democrats of America are going online in an attempt tofurther their party line.
CDA announced June 15, the debut of e-chapters, a free onlinetool available to members through the CDA Web site, www.collegedems.com.
E-chapter users will have access to CDA chapters across America.Members can e-mail chapter leaders or members, as well ascommunicate and open discussion lists. Members can also receivemessages from chapter leaders or national news and send e-mail tostudents who are not a part of the chapter, inviting them tojoin.
CDA officials said these innovations could help further theorganization's effort to strengthen support on America'scampuses.
The advent of this program will mark a turning point in thegrowth of chapters across the country, said CDA National PresidentAshley Bell.
"We always knew the Internet had the potential to transform ourimpact on local, state and national elections," Bell said in aprepared statement. "And now with the launch of e-chapters, we'regoing to prove just how great that impact will be. Our goal is toreach the tens of thousands of college students active online butnot yet active in politics."
Not everybody in The University of Memphis community believesthe impact will be substantial, however.
Jason Schroeder, a graduate statistics student, said he thinkse-chapters may attract "hard-line democrats," but the innovationsdo not appeal to him for two reasons.
"First, I don't participate in online discussions," he said."Second, I'm not that political."
Graduate student Aracelis Monserrate also has her doubts aboutthe effectiveness of the new program.
"I think people who are already interested may join, but ifyou're already going to vote, it's (e-chapters) not going to changeyour mind," she said.
Members of the campus group Tiger Democrats could not be reachedfor comment.
While neither Monserrate nor Schroeder said they think thee-chapters system will have great impact, high-ranking democraticofficial said e-chapters would make a difference.
"Today, I congratulate CDA for reaching a new milestone instudent organizing. With the direction of our country at stake, itis vital that we reach as many young voters as possible," saidDemocratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, in aprepared statement. "This innovation will help College Democratsbetter educate and mobilize students all across the country,helping to ensure Democratic victories in November."
On the other hand, Robert Blanton, U of M associate professor ofpolitical science, is not convinced that e-chapters will turnonline college students into democratic voters, citing formerdemocratic presidential candidate Howard Dean's failure to securesupport through Web groups.
"It's a start -- but only a start -- for the CDA," Blanton said."The real test is whether or not e-chapters can go beyond beingjust a forum for like-minded people and actually spread awarenessand support for the Democratic Party beyond the CDA membership."They can be great for getting a support group together but reallyneed to bring out votes to make any difference. In all candor, itwon't be easy in a demographic that has traditionally not shownhigh rates of voter turnout."
