A small crowd gathered by the television set with their pizza and beer close by. They weren't cheering for the San Francisco 49ers but for the Republican National Convention (RNC) in New York City, in which President George W. Bush accepted his party's official nomination last week.

Derrick Wray, a 27-year-old criminal justice major and president of SF State's College Republicans, rarely looked away from the RNC. For over an hour, Wray sat a table apart, alone from his fellow 20-something Republicans.

As he twirled a blue "Vote Republican" balloon and watched the president's speech, the former Democrat laughed when a TV close up zoomed on Vice President Dick Cheney.

"He never looks excited," exclaimed Wray.

Former College Republicans president and founder, Maria Trapalis, joined Wray at the South San Francisco Round Table to watch the RNC.

During the convention, Gov. Schwarzenneger and Georgia Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat, made speeches in support of the re-election of President Bush.

“It’s important to put every face out there. Our group is ideologically diverse,” said Wray, adding that the Bush twins, Barbara and Jenna, 22, should not reflect what the GOP stands for.

“[Their speech Wednesday night] was silly and they’re not gifted speakers. The jokes fell flat and I wasn’t moved. It was just silly,” said Wray.

For Wray and his group of ten Bush supporters, they were proud of what President Bush has accomplished these past four years.

“He did very well tonight and he did what he had to do. He gets a lot of grief for his grammar, but he’s very well-spoken,” said Wray, who didn’t leave his table once for a post-RNC speech stretch.

Critics have accused the GOP for exploiting the Sept. 11 event for political gains.

“Sept. 11 is an issue that should be discussed and it’s not being exploited. Leadership qualities from George W. Bush were exhibited from September 11 and this is similar to [Sen. John] Kerry and Vietnam,” said Wray.

“I think [Bush] is a strong leader and has strengthened our military. Kerry is a flip-flopper and will say anything to please a crowd. It’s stupid. He should stick with his story.

“Every politician changes their mind. It’s good to know they’re open to being wrong,” said Wray, referring to the comment President Bush made on national television about not winning the war on terror. Since the comment aired on NBC, the Bush administration claims the president meant the war could not be won in a conventional way.

“I know what he’s trying to say,” said Wray. “It’s not like World War II. It’s more than the U.S. versus one country. We need to [re]elect him to win this war. This is a long-term struggle and it is winnable,” said the self-described die-hard Bush supporter.

On the College Republicans’ Web site, SF State is called the “belly of the beast” for liberals and Wray said he knows the upcoming elections will be a close one.