Spring Break
HBS Democrats Descend on Denver
By Adam Chepenik (OI), Contributing Writer
Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: News
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Organized by the HBS Democrats Club, this year's DNC trek was a complete success. The HBS delegation flew to Denver with little more than the desire to become involved in the political process and a rolodex of contacts consisting of an astounding one name. However, those in attendance quickly found themselves enthralled in the midst of the historic week and working with a DNC staff overjoyed to employ the help of such talented students.
The highlight for many (aside from Obama's 84,000 person Invesco Field speech) was a private lunch in Denver's most exquisite Italian restaurant with Gerry Waldron, Staff Director for the House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Over tendrils of pasta, fine china, and fresh calabrese, Gerry navigated us through his seamless career between government, the private sector and civil society more broadly. He also provided the group with deep insight into the benefits and drawbacks of nuclear, ethanol, wind, biomass and algae based energy generation.
For others, the networking prospects were the highlight. The group shook hands with DNC Chairman Howard Dean, sang along to a live performance by the GooGoo Dolls, snapped photos with actors Chevy Chase and Danny Glover, listened to Madeline Albright discuss her foreign policy views, and of course, saw all the candidates, including Obama himself, up close. The roster of interactions read like a who's-who's in American politics. In fact, when Jordan Bazinsky (OA), the trek organizer, compiled a schedule of events for the week, it ran 16 pages in length with speakers, receptions, and invitations running from 7 AM through 2 AM every day.
Some of the best networking interactions occurred each morning, at the State Delegation breakfasts. A select few, like C.J. Wise (OF) and Adam Chepenik (OI) attended the New York State breakfasts, and were fortunate enough to hear Senator Hillary Clinton talk about party unity, Senator Charles Schumer speak about the challenges for the next U.S. Congress, and even interact with New Jersey Governor John Corzine as he spent the morning bolstering NY-NJ relations. Others, like Summer Nemeth (OC), participated in breakfasts with political celebrities at the Massachusetts State Delegation breakfasts. She watched Joe Kennedy fire up the crowd, Al Franken, SNL character and Minnesota Senatorial candidate, explain the reason he must win his Senate race, and sat at the same table with Michael Dukakis, Former Presidential Candidate and HBS Democrats Club keynote speaker last year.
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denver movers
posted 12/10/08 @ 4:00 PM EST
awesome campaign! i had friends that were involved in it and they really put a lot of time and effort into making it one of the best campaigns out there!!
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