Campus Progress Dislikes Competition

Campus Progress (part of the Center for American Progress) has an article on its site talking about The Leadership Institute’s new CampusReform.org. The article was, for the most part, fair to CR and LI. Interestingly, though, Andrea Nill at Think Progress (also associated with CAP) has a real issue with CR. I guess only liberals can have college activism, which is exactly what Campus Progress is. For instance, on their website: “Campus Progress, part of the Center for American Progress, works to help young people — advocates, activists, journalists, artists — make their voices heard on issues that matter. Through an online magazine and student publications, public events, multimedia projects, and grassroots issue campaigns, Campus Progress acts to empower new progressive leaders nationwide as they develop fresh ideas, communicate in new ways, push policy outcomes in a progressive direction, and build a strong progressive movement.”

Meanwhile, CR dares to have this on their site: “Created to give conservatives powerful new weapons in their fight for the hearts and minds of the next generation of citizens, politicians, and members of the media, CampusReform.org facilitates the establishment of conservative student networks and supports their development as a powerful voice of activism on their campuses. It makes available new opportunities for groups? interaction with alumni, parents, faculty, and other members of the broader community interested in taking a stand for conservative principles on America?s college campuses.”

Solution to Nill’s hyperventilism: Remember that freedom of speech and activism are for conservatives, too- even if you disagree. (Oh, and criticizing James O’Keefe for his work on ACORN is not a good way to demean LI- it merely makes you appear supportive of ACORN’s corruption.)