Touting 'Our Mama is better than your Obama' t-shirts, the College Republicans kicked off the fall semester on Tuesday night.

The meeting, held in the Hermitage Room of the University Center, drew a crowd of more than 100 students and featured a speech from Ryan Haynes, State Senator from West Knoxville.

The importance of becoming actively involved in local politics, even after elections pass this November, was a central theme to the meeting, an area Haynes spent much of his speech discussing.

This is the biggest turnout I've seen for a young Republicans meeting. Tenn. State Representative Ryan Haynes

"I'm not sure what it is, if the election has everyone's interest peaked, but this is the biggest turnout I've seen for a young Republicans meeting," said Haynes.

"We know John McCain will win this state," he continued, "but it helps when you get out and [help local campaigns.] It is especially important even after the elections have passed, because we [state representatives] have such a direct impact on your lives."

Earlier in the night, one of the College Republican's officers cited numerous polls predicting McCain's odds of winning Tennessee as better than 90 percent. In 2004, George W. Bush won Tennessee by more than 340,000 votes, 57-43 percent overall.

Currently, the Tennessee House of Representatives has a Democratic majority and the state senate may fall under Democratic control after the November elections.

A key goal this fall for UT Republicans will be to produce similar results to 2004 in the presidential election but to take over the Tennessee House of Representatives. Whichever party wins will have the ability to redraw voting districts, obviously a key factor in future elections.

To help peak the interest of Knoxville voters, College Republicans will feature appearances from key politicians in conservative Tennessee politics.

Upcoming meetings will include speeches from Jimmy Duncan, U.S. Representative from Knoxville, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and various other conservative figures from Tennessee.

The group meets every other Tuesday at 7:45 in room 223 or 224 of the UC. The next meeting will be on October 1 but the location has yet to be announced.

Dues to become an official voting member are $20 each year. For more information about upcoming events and getting involved, check the group's Web site.