Student Spotlight - Maggie Walsh

Maggie Walsh, a rising senior at Rowan University in New Jersey, was one of the few in her generation who did not succumb to Obama-mania in 2008. In fact, all of the hype around Obama and the Left encouraged her to research the issues to find out her beliefs for herself. Through her research she found that conservatism is "strong" and "time tested."

We talked with Maggie to find out more about her journey into the Conservative Movement:

Luce: How did you become a conservative?

Maggie: Through thorough research during the 2008 Presidential elections. It was the first time I was able to vote and I wanted to choose the candidate who best embodied my belief system as well as who would be the best choice for the country. I saw that the planks in the conservative platform are strong and time tested.

Luce: As a conservative, what challenges do you face at your school?

Maggie: Having a viewpoint in which most of the people around you disagree with, makes for an interesting schooling experience. The biggest challenge is feeling like a doughnut on a plate full of bagels. In your classes, you have to worry about your professor ridiculing your belief system.

Luce: What is your most memorable activist experience?

Maggie: Knocking on doors in New Jersey during the 2010 Midterm season was an interesting experience, and one I am glad I had. There is a huge difference between calling people on the phone and having them hang up on you and going to a liberal's home on a Saturday afternoon and have them shut their door in your face. A person needs to understand how to deal with people on a face to face basis. Those days toughened my skin even more and taught me a valuable lesson.

Luce: Who is your favorite conservative woman leader and why?

Maggie: This is truly a difficult question. There are many different women in all walks of life, contributing their particular strengths to the conservative cause. I can narrow down the list to two: Representative Michele Bachmann and Governor Sarah Palin. These women have been fighting for the American people in a way I don’t see many conservative men fighting and they get half the credit. There are people who talk about doing the right thing for America, and there are those that put words into action. Palin and Bachmann talk the talk and walk the walk. You can tell who the Left fears the most by who they shout about the most. Well, these ladies have driven people hoarse. They don’t back down, they won’t give up; no matter how hard you try, you won’t get them to sit down and shut up. It’s not in their nature. It’s not in their nature because it’s not in the American people’s nature to stop fighting for what we know is true. They speak for those who have been deemed not important enough to be heard. Well, we will be heard. And thanks to Rep. Bachmann and Gov. Palin, the American people have been given two loud, unrelenting voices working on their behalf.

Luce: What advice would you give other conservative students?

Maggie: I would tell other students to pick their battles. If you are on a college campus, you are probably going to hear one too many moose jokes about Sarah Palin or crazy jokes about Glenn Beck. The key is to make your voice heard when it really matters. Challenge your fellow students and professors on key talking points that are relevant to what you are discussing. Also, make sure you have your facts. You can have a professor making the most egregious statements to the class without one of your peers so much as batting an eyelash, but you, lowly college conservative, will have your knowledge tested.

Luce: Where do you hope to be in 10 years?

Maggie: In ten years I hope to live in a country that is in a better place than it is today. I don’t want my children still paying for the debt leveled on America today. I want to be in a career that I love and hopefully married.

"Make your voice heard when it really matters."