Democrats share politics over drinks, liberally

"Promoting democracy one pint at a time." This is the slogan of Drinking Liberally, a national organization dedicated to bringing progessives together over beer.

And now Hopkins has its very own chapter to represent the group. Founded by seniors Jess Beaton and Claire Edington, Drinking Liberally held its second meeting at Charles Village Pub last Thursday evening.

At the meeting, there was barely room to sit down and sip on a drink or two. Members drifted in and out, but there were always about 12 people trying to share two tables in the crowded bar.

Students sitting on a wooden bench crammed themselves together to make space for a newcomer.

Occasionally, it became so crowded that someone even had to stand. "We should work musical chairs into it," senior Josh Issacs quipped.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and informal, more like a casual gathering of good friends than a political event.

The noise in the bar and the awkward seating arrangments made having one large discussion somewhat difficult. Instead, small conversations flourished among the many people there for the meeting.

Talk ranged over a variety of topics, not all of them politcal.

A discussion of anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan's arrest at the State of the Union morphed into a conversation about professional baseball player Johnny Damon's new contract with the New York Yankees, before changing into a debate about the force-feeding of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. The wide array of topics was par for the course for the entire evening.

After a discussion of the USA Patriot Act, a member joked, "If they only knew what we were saying."

"They probably do. Don't know who `they' are, but they do," another answered.

Edington wore a red, white and blue button which read, "I only drink with liberals." But there was remarkably little drinking going on -- there were as many soft drinks as beers on the table. Isaacs expressed surprise that one of the members, who is not 21, was not drinking. "Reporter," she mumbled in explanation.

Despite the group's name, not everyone at the gathering had stereotypical liberal views. Beaton gave Isaacs a friendly interrogation on his politics. He answered several questions without missing a beat.

Finally, Beaton asked him, "Textile tarrifs?" Isaacs was stymied.

Asked about his politics, Isaacs said he was a centrist, adding, "I don't protest or anything. I'm not crazy."

According to Isaacs, the group is open to a wide range of political opinion. "If you're left of the Christian right, come," he said.

Edington explained that Drinking Liberally is "an opportunity for liberal and like-minded professors and students to come together and talk politics in an informal setting."

Ultimately, "we hope to see people from the community, not just Hopkins. The ultimate goal is to get people from Charles Village."

Edington hopes that Drinking Liberally will be a first step in building a tradition of liberalism on campus.

Senior Emilie Adams said she is part of the group's leadership in an informal capacity. She envisions Drinking Liberally expanding to include speaking events and guests.

But Adams believes that the group will have to fight an uphill battle against poltical apathy at Hopkins.

Hopkins students, Adams said, "get lost in the depths of the library. It's hard to read [sic] CNN when you have to read 200 pages of bio."

Beaton agrees. Drinking Liberally will have to "challenge the politically active to get the politically apathetic moving. But I think there's hope," she said.

"On the whole, there are not many people [at Hopkins] who are politically active," said junior David Orr.

Political Science professor Matthew Crenson attended Drinking Liberally's first meeting.

Political apathy at Hopkins goes back to his experience as an undergraduate, he said.

But he thinks the group provides a useful forum on campus, attracting both commited liberals and those who come for the drinks and conversation.

The location helps just as much. No other student group regularly hosts meetings in a bar, and few offer such an informal setting. "I hope to go again," Crenson said.

Drinking Liberally meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. at Charles Village Pub.