The MSU College Republicans recruited 271 members this year for the Michigan Federation of College Republicans .

Recruitment in September drew 171 more members than the group brought in last year.

Jason Miller, a political theory and constitutional democracy junior and Michigan Federation of College Republicans chairman, said the increase is because of a more focused effort to sign up members.

"The more you do, the more people want to join," Miller, a State News columnist, said.

More than 1,000 new members signed up for the statewide organization last month.

Miller said the MSU College Republicans are pushing toward President Bush's reelection in 2004.

"We have a president who has a message of a smaller government and a passionate, conservative agenda," Miller said.