With an election come certain expectations. Promises will be made, flyers will be handed out, and get out the vote drives will swing into gear. In the interest to bring in youth voters, the Republicans have shown that there can be a darker side to voter outreach and campaigning.

Last week, the College Democrats of America released a statement entitled College Democrats of America Respond to Offensive RNC and College Republican Tactics. This release details some of the offensive events promoted by the College Republicans. Their battery of insensitive outreach include events like 'Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day' or 'Guns for Fun.'

In 'Catch and Illegal Immigrant Day,, a party volunteer would hide somewhere on a college campus while others searched them out. 'Guns for Fun, included shooting BB guns at pictures of Democratic leaders, including Senators John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. These events were planned for University of Michigan, Penn State and in North Texas.

College Democrats President Lauren Wolfe responded to the hate filled events by saying that "It is both sad and appalling that the College Republicans are resorting to highly offensive and derogatory tactics during this election year."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean even addressed the issue, writing a letter to the Republican Chairman Ken Mehlman. In it, he says he is "calling on him to stop RNC-funded campaign activities that promote discrimination and endorse violence against political opponents."

These inflammatory campaign strategies are yet another example of the negative tone of the Republican Party and their method of campaigning. In fact, they have even come out publicly and said that they will focus their money on negative advertising and strategies.

A September 10th Washington Post article said that "The National Republican Congressional Committee, which this year dispatched a half-dozen operatives to comb through tax, court and other records looking for damaging information on Democratic candidates, plans to spend more than 90 percent of its $50 million-plus advertising budget on what officials described as negative ads."

I am pleased to say that both the College Democrats and the National Party have taken the high road when it comes to the tone and content of their get out the vote campaigns. The College Democrats are currently organizing National Youth Canvassing Days and voter registration drives across the country. On the National level, the Democratic National Committee is still working on its 50 State Turnout Campaign in its effort to get more Americans to the polls.

Now more then ever, it is important to set a higher standard as we work toward the November elections. Let the Republicans know that their inflammatory campaign message and divisive tactics are not what America needs come election day.