Students on this campus should be livid. They should be livid, that is, if they have any respect for the political process and how they are represented.

As a former member of the ISU Democrats and a graduate of this university’s political science department, I am completely disgusted by the actions of certain members of the ISU Republicans during this election year.

If you have been reading the Daily recently, you know where this is going.

The ISU Republicans have shown just how little respect a campus group can have for a political process it is supposed to be championing.

Contrary to the report in Monday’s edition of the Daily, the Republican protest of Tom Harkin at Pizza Kitchens was hardly a “good-natured rivalry.”

I went to the Harkin rally to hear what he and some of the local candidates had to say.

It was the first time this year I took the time out of my schedule to do so.

I heard the rumors about a possible protest by supporters of Republican Jim Ross Lightfoot, but I didn’t figure it would be anything too drastic.

Let’s just say I had to maneuver my way through a few hundred pounds of conservative flesh in order to make it to the doorway of the restaurant.

While I generally don’t have a problem being surrounded by numerous college men, I certainly didn’t appreciate them looming over me while I was trying to find the door.

Trying to walk into a political event shouldn’t have to be like walking into an abortion clinic.

I suppose the analogy is appropriate, though, considering that the actions of the Lightfoot supporters made the group out to be little more than a walking advertisement for retroactive abortion.

Their actions were immature and pathetic. Every time the door to the restaurant opened, the protesters chanted “Lightfoot in ’96,” interrupting the people who were trying to speak inside.

It was a conscious effort on the protesters’ parts, since they kept quiet enough when the door was closed.

Then there was the not-so-tactful statement made toward a couple of black students who attended the Harkin rally.

One of the protesters told his colleagues to be careful to let the black students pass, because they needed to be protected — a not-so-subtle reference to the recent assault of a black student security officer.

While I am happy to see students involved in political protests, it would be nice if the participants in such activities could muster a minute degree of tact.

For representatives of a party that claims to have the monopoly on morals and decency, these students surely didn’t act like it.

Bill Bernau, a local state representative, summed up the general feeling of the rally-goers when he asked, “Do we do this at their events?” No.

Democrats just show up beforehand and drink all the beer.

This isn’t the first time the actions of the College Republicans have raised eyebrows. Not long ago, KCCI-TV filmed the College Republicans registering students in the dormitories.

Unfortunately for the Republicans, that sort of activity is prohibited in the dorms. Oops.

Of course, how could this column be complete without mentioning the mock elections?

Yes, the Republican candidates won.

Yes, the results are a joke.

Let’s just say that someone I know was harassed by several members of the College Republicans as she, a well-known Democrat, voted at one of the polling booths.

Even the Daily reported that students, whether they were Democrats or Republicans, stood by the booths attempting to influence students’ decisions.

Then there was the “well-folded stack of ballots” that appeared to be in the same handwriting. I’m not attributing this to the College Republicans, but somebody needs an education.

You are in college, people. If you are going to try to influence an election, don’t be so damn obvious. Hasn’t this university taught you anything?

Just to show I’m not completely partisan, I’d also like to give a nice kick in the pants to the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) for the lack of attention and support it has provided to this campus.

For people who claim to represent student interests, the leaders of this party have done well in ignoring the ISU campus.

This year, the IDP neglected to provide the ISU Democrats with a staffer to help organize the ISU voter registration drive.

The IDP provided a full-time staffer last election, and it also provided a staffer for other state universities this year.

The IDP told the ISU Democrats to register 2,200 people. They busted their butts and registered 2,365, no thanks to the state party.

The state party has consistently left the ISU Democrats out of the loop as far as what the IDP was doing and what was expected of the students.

The state party didn’t bother telling the ISU Democrats that they needed to get students to the rally with Tipper Gore until a day or two before Gore came to campus. Not only was it a disservice to the co-chairs, but it was a disservice to interested students as well.

The state party has also failed to bring candidates to campus. Harkin canceled twice.

Leonard Boswell canceled several times.

Former Texas Gov. Anne Richards canceled a student rally. I feel important, don’t you?

As much as I can’t stand most politicians, I still believe the American political process provides a valuable opportunity for the common person to be involved in government.

Unfortunately, immature behavior by both parties will continue to erode whatever support Americans have for this political system.

People wonder why students are apathetic. I would be, too, if I weren’t so bitter.

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Theresa Wilson is a graduate student at Iowa State and a Drake University law student.