This blog will cover Dr. Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan's ROAD to the WHITE HOUSE 2020 class (that will study the history and politics of U.S. presidential campaigns). She and her students will travel to New Hampshire for an intensive 10-day internship leading up to the first-in-the-nation primary.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
USFSP Crow's Nest article -- James Bennett -- "Students document New Hampshire presidential primary"
While we were in New Hampshire, the Crow's Nest edition that came out on 10 February included reflections from RTWH2020 students' blogs
Last week,
29 USF students left for a 10-day trip to New Hampshire to assist in
presidential primary campaign efforts through the university’s “Road to
the White House” class.
New Hampshire’s primary is on Feb. 11.
The course only comes around every four years, during the presidential primaries.
The class is worth six credits. The New Hampshire trip counts as
three internship credits, while the majority of the semester is spent
working on seminar credits.
From left: Mahree Medero, Maria Starr and Nicholas Pasierb are the only students campaigning for the Republican party. Courtesy of Nicholas Pasierb
For the internship portion, the students are divided among eight
campaigns, including former Vice President Joe Biden; Pete Buttigieg,
former Democratic mayor of South Bend, Ind.; Sen. Amy Klobuchar,
D-Minn.; Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt.; President Donald Trump; Sen.
Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; Andrew Yang; and the New Hampshire GOP.
During their trip, the students went to debates, met candidates and spoke to potential voters.
The following excerpts are from blog posts the students have written throughout their trip. Rebecca Nero, Elizabeth Warren campaign Feb. 6
This was the first day on our campaigns and it was super exciting!!!!
We got to meet our campaign supervisors and they were all nice. We were
able to canvas and phone bank to talk to the voters. We are mostly
targeting all of the undecided voters, something I observed is many
people were between Warren and Sanders. Interesting. Overall, a great
day, love this journey for me. Peyton Johnson, Bernie Sanders campaign Feb. 6
I am thrilled to announce that in combination with a tour of the
non-heated New Hampshire Republican Party, we got to see Senator Bernie
Sanders on Tuesday(…) He talked about everything from prison reform to
Medicare for All. I began to cry during his discussion about Medicare
for All. I need a president who will take care of not only my medical
bills, but my pre-existing condition(…) I am beyond proud to be a
Sanders supporter. Tuesday was the first time I felt seen in this
campaign. The first time I felt someone was looking out for me as an
American. Nothing is more American than creating the freedom to live
happily. Nicholas Pasierb, President Donald Trump campaign Feb. 4
Democratic candidate and philanthropist Tom Steyer poses with students. Courtesy of Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan
There are only three of us interning for President Trump, or for the
Republican party for that matter, out of the 29 of us so I was sensing
some contempt but I figured that was part of politics and was of no big
concern. We were introduced to our boss, who is only 23, one year older
than me, but it’s okay because he is amazing and a true professional.
Since President Trump is looking pretty much like the Republican
nominee, we did not have to hit the ground running(…) After lunch, we
tried to do some phone banking and we quickly discovered that it is not
as easy as it seems(…) We made over 200 calls each, which feels like a
big number(…) After we left, we headed to a restaurant to watch the
democratic returns come in for the Iowa caucus. However, after about 3
hours there, we left. Guess they didn’t call anything that night which
is a shame because many of my classmates stayed up till almost 2 a.m.
from what I have heard.
Not me… I was definitely asleep. Fallia Gregory, Joe Biden campaign Feb. 1
I am so excited for this amazing opportunity to intern for
Presidential hopeful Joe Biden! I chose him based on his countless years
of working for us, the middle class, women, children, students, workers
and tackles the tough issues such as immigration, healthcare and
college affordability(…) This course will introduce me to Presidential
campaigns and all that goes into making it all happen. There will be
late nights, sleepless nights, but all of that is in order to fight for
what you believe in to make the world a better place for all. Having
worked on campaigns previously, I know some of the hard work that goes
into them but nothing is quite like a Presidential campaign! Beyond
honored for this opportunity and to represent USF St. Petersburg! Go
Bulls! Halley Hobbs, Pete Buttigieg campaign Feb. 6
Tuesday morning, we visited the State House in Concord, New
Hampshire. We had a tour of that building then went to the Republican
headquarters(…) We also went canvassing in Bedford, New Hampshire.
Tuesday night, we went to Pete’s town hall in Concord. We helped check
people into the venue, then I heard him speak for the very first time.
Even though I was right next to him there were so many people I wasn’t
able to shake his hand, but just being a foot away from him made me
happy and I was able to listen to a conversation he had with a man about
helping people with disabilities. Samantha Fiore, Amy Klobuchar campaign Feb. 3
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., poses with students. Courtesy of Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan
After getting a full night of sleep, we woke up bright and early to
be on the vans by 8:30 a.m. to be at our internship placements. Jadzia
“Jazzy” Duarte and I made our way to Amy Klobuchar’s state headquarters,
where we quickly were given a very important task: putting stamps on
Commitment to Vote (CTV) cards.
After putting stamps on all the CTVs, we took a nice walk to the post
office, headed back to the office, and helped prepare for all of the
events Amy has this week(…) This meant that we packed three different
boxes with all the necessary supplies.
After dropping off more CTVs at the post office and grabbing a quick
lunch, we headed back to the office to begin making phone calls(…) This
was an awesome chance to speak to voters, hear what some of their key
issues were in this election (mostly electability and beating Trump) and
encourage them to consider voting for Amy.
All-in-all, it was a really fun first day. Everyone in Amy’s office
was really kind and appreciative of our help. It was a rewarding feeling
at the end of the day knowing we helped contribute, even a little, to a
massive presidential campaign for an amazing woman. Mitchell Etheridge, Andrew Yang campaign Feb. 7
Canvassing is the best in the snow!! To keep up with the students during their trip to New Hampshire, check the class blog on USF St. Petersburg’s website.
Former Vice President Joe Biden displays a USF St. Petersburg T-shirt. Courtesy of Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan
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