Recently, a surprising trend has developed among Republicans on this campus: a dire case of sore-winnerism. Republicans complain that Brandeis is "sorely lacking the most important kind of diversity, the diversity of ideas." In article after article, they denounce the "terrible manners and lack of character" of campus liberals, accusing them of tearing down posters, attacking Republican supporters and deliberately stopping their voices from being heard.For those of us who have been involved in political dialogue on campus this past semester, these claims come as a bit of a shock. After all, the same Republicans who urge "diversity" and a commitment to "character" in civic dialogue have time and again represented themselves in characteristically undignified ways.

Before the election, vitriolic fliers with quotes from the vicious right wing pundit Ann Coulter were smeared all over campus, accusing John Kerry of-among other things--serving dishonorably in Vietnam and hating America. After Bush won, a new batch of posters went up, mocking Democrats for their losses and triumphantly congratulating President Bush on his "mandate from the people." They ignored the fact that 55 million Americans went to the polls on Election Day urging for change in our country's leadership.

Sadly, not one single poster was put up actually addressing the fundamental issues in this campaign: the President's choice to take us to war in Iraq, an economy still in recession, millions of people continuing to lose needed healthcare and issues of concern to college students, such as the environment, women's rights, gay rights, civil liberties and the rising cost of higher education.

In light of their scornful and partisan content, it is not surprising that the posters were poorly received by students on this campus. While the Brandeis Democrats certainly do not condone the destruction of other people's property and respect all forms of free speech on this campus, I believe it is not unfair to claim that the display of obnoxious, deliberatively inciting posters before the election and triumphant, demeaning posters after the election was won is not the best way to create a climate of respectful dialogue and exchange of ideas on campus. They do not promote the "diversity of ideas" Republicans claim to desire. One might even say that they are a gross display "terrible manners and lack of character."

As a lifelong Democrat and strong believer in liberty and social justice, I am legitimately afraid for the future of our country now that all three branches are controlled by a single, conservative party. It goes against the transparency and accountability of American government, our checks and balances. Therefore, while I concede that the Republicans have legitimately won (this year), my sincere hope is that those now in power will realize that Democrats love this country, too. We Democrats want to see America's best interests defended. The best way to craft policies that will aid all of America's citizens is to appreciate our thoughts and concerns as well.

But enough partisan rhetoric. The plain truth is that in the past semester, liberals on this campus have made many attempts to reach out to the Republicans. Most notably, the Democrats participated in the Senate-sponsored debate prior to the election which featured Republicans prominently; a Brandeis Israel Public Affair Committee event in which both sides were given equal opportunity to represent their views; on Brandeis TV, with programming that showed both sides of the political spectrum; and in the Justice, where opinions from both sides of the political spectrum were printed.

Of course, Republicans are going to have a harder time here than they would at another school. This is the unfortunate result of attending a traditionally liberal school founded on liberal principles and composed largely of people with Democratic political leanings. However, Brandeis also prides itself on being an institution where anyone with an informed voice can make himself heard.

Therefore, I encourage the Republicans to move past the "whining, moaning and screaming insults" for which they blast their fellow students, and instead join the Brandeis Democrats in working together in a spirit of bipartisanship to focus on what is the best course for our country and the world.

One way we can begin accomplishing this goal is by making groups from across the political spectrum come together to create programming that allows for the expression and open debate of multiple points of view. Our upcoming event "What's Next? A Discussion of Bush's Second Term," a panel discussion the Democrats are holding on Dec. 1 with four Brandeis professors, is an opportunity for this type of open debate. We welcome the Republicans to encourage their members to show up, ready to engage in frank, respectful dialogue.

However, I do not believe that a single event is enough to bridge the partisan divide on this campus. This is why I have been personally working on a proposal with the Student Union to create the Political Advocacy Forum-a group comprised of the club leaders from all the politically affiliated groups on campus-that can meet a few times a semester to work on programming reflective of the great diversity of opinion of this campus and create an open space where people who feel discouraged from voicing their opinions can speak out and be listened to in a dignified way.

Editor's note: Adam Schwartzbaum '07 is vice president of the Brandeis Democrats.