<p>So most top schools are reportedly very liberal, but Texas is very conservative. This makes me curious as to which way Rice leans. I'm a moderate and can swing a little left or a little right, but I can't handle idealogues. What's Rice like in this respect? Are there constant rallies and petitions and such, or is everyone pretty chill and apathetic?
I know it's tough to generalize an entire school of 3,000 people, but what's the general feeling?</p>
<p>There are lots of self-proclaimed moderates, according to the fb. There were lots of people out blaring music and running around and partying when Obama won. There were some people locked in their rooms crying about America going to hell. Everyone likes to paint Rice as "politically apathetic" - it's a phrase thrown around a lot, mainly by people who don't actually go to school there - but young dems is fairly active. I'd say the school has a liberal lean, and Houston does as well.</p>
<p>Yeah, I seriously do - as does San Antonio, as does El Paso, as does most of the Rio Grande Valley. Houston went for Obama, elected representatives like Sheila Jackson, and re-elected a democrat for mayor with 91% of the vote...given he's relatively moderate but still. Once you throw in the uber-rich suburbs like Sugarland things even out but Houston itself can't really be described as a sea of red.</p>
<p>Well i was wrong in saying it was a sea of red, but its definitely not a lean toward liberal.
County</a> Results - Election Center 2008 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com</p>
<p>Kk yeah sorry, I didn't remember the actual election statistics...I think what I meant was liberal relative to where it had been a few years ago and relative to the rest of Texas. Houston is no Austin but Texas democrats have been kind of out for blood ever since the election showed that we've got a chance at getting someone other than Perry elected for ANY office...I'm betting on Bill White taking Kay Bailey's senate seat in 2010 for what it's worth.</p>
<p>Edit: the neighborhood around Rice is definitely liberal though.</p>
<p>Houston and Rice in general appear to be about half-and-half and with few ideologues. That's perfect for me, as I'm pretty moderate myself.</p>
<p>^Yeah, honestly, that sounds ideal. I like political moderation, but I'm cool with people one standard deviation to the left or right. (Meaning somewhat left or right of center, but not solidly in either camp. The middle 68% of the country, for my fellow stats fanatics.) Thanks guys, you've been really helpful. The more I learn about Rice, the more I love about it.</p>