Erickson 's hometown is Vermillion , South Dakota . He attended the University of South Dakota and then transferred to Yale University , where he graduated with a bachelors degree in economics and political science in 1984 . In 1980 , while at USD , Erickson coordinated a youth campaign for Representative Jim Abdnor . For a year between his time at USD and Yale , Erickson served as the national treasurer of the College Republicans in Washington , D.C. , whose staff at the time included Grover Norquist , Ralph Reed , and Jack Abramoff . Abramoff later wrote , " To every college Republican who contacted the national office , Paul Erickson was by far the most impressive person they had ever encountered in politics . " Also while in college , Erickson wrote " Fritzbusters " , a comedy routine that was critical of Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale which had similarities to the then newly released film '' Ghostbusters '' ( 1984 ) . Erickson and some fellow College Republicans performed Fritzbusters at the 1984 Republican National Convention and later as a warm-up act for Ronald Reagan at some rallies during the 1984 United States presidential election . The campaign stopped running Fritzbusters after more than 100 students wearing Fritzbusters shirts heckled Mondale in September 1984 . Erickson earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988
1984 Republican National Convention
1984 Republican National Convention
Paul Erickson (activist)