Operation Yellow Elephant has made it into the pages of the very French "Las Vegas Sun"

Despite an Internet effort to drum up opposition, several hundred of the nation's most ambitious young Republicans convened Thursday with little controversy. Activists of a loosely organized campaign called "Operation Yellow Elephant" had threatened to protest the Young Republican National Convention at Mandalay Bay this week.

They argue that Young Republicans who support the war in Iraq should enlist in the military, especially given recent lags in recruiting. Their motto: Sign up or shut up.

A delegate from Florida, 27-year-old David Fletcher, said he participates in the Young Republicans because he thinks it's important for young people to get involved in politics. But while Fletcher said he fully supports the war in Iraq, he said he has not enlisted and doesn't have plans to enlist.

When asked why, he said, "I'd rather not answer that question."