Document text
Students grow to respect Sen. Smith's views Demeanor plays well in Ashland By DANI DODGE ASHLAND -- To a largely Democratic student group at Ashland High School, Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith gave a lesson in what it's like to be a Republican. And although some of the students questioned the senator from Pendleton on his assumptions, many left Wednesday with a deeper appreciation for his conservative philosophy. "I think he did a very good job of describing his personal views," said Kate Parker-Shames, an Ashland High School senior. "He did it in a very open way." Smith is on a swing through Southern Oregon. On Tuesday, he toured Boise Cascade and Southern Oregon University, and held a town hall meeting in Grants Pass. Today, he hosts a Southern Oregon National Resources Forum at Crater High School at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m. he will meet with the Southern Oregon Drug Awareness representatives. Smith said it was important to meet with students and inspire them to get involved in politics. "It's fairly alarming that the voting rates are so low among young people," he said,"When their responsibilities are so great.'' Students at Ashland High School asked Smith to speak as they prepare for the Oregon Model Presidential Nominating Convention in April. At the convention, about 50 students from the school will participate in a mock convention. "We have to be Republicans this year, which isn't easy for Ashland students," said Matthew McKinnon, who teaches the political forum class. "That's why Smith was at the top of our list." Smith began his talk by describing his early interest in politics, and then explaining the difference between Republicans and Democrats. "It's not a contest between good people and bad people," he said. "The difference between them is when Democrats see public problems, they immediately resort to government to fix it. Republicans would rather let private individuals ... solve them. Smith talked about why he felt it was necessary to balance the environment with the economy, oppose public financing of elections, open trade with China, and give back a portion of the budget surplus to taxpayers. But some students were sceptical. One girl noted: "It seems you are trusting an unequal private sector rather than the government." Another student questioned whether Democrats would characterize the difference in the parties in the same way as Smith. "I don't think they will like how I describe it," he admitted. "They will spin it in a different way." Students leaving the auditorium were pleased Smith took the time to come to their school. Several were awestruck. Others analyzed Smith's positions. Hilary King, a senior thinking about becoming a politician, said she was impressed with Smith's demeanor "especially considering Ashland is a considered a hotbed of liberals." She said the talk will not only help her be a better representative of Republicans at the mock convention, but also better prepare for the political world outside of Ashland. "It allows me to understand that I can reach for my ideals," she said. "But the political environment is not as perfect as I'd like." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA