Harbus

Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: Viewpoints

In many ways, this election reminds me of FDR's 1932 campaign. FDR ran a campaign as a great communicator against the stumpy Herbert Hoover. He campaigned through a tumultuous economic environment, with a failing banking system, high unemployment, and in a relatively hostile global environment. The 1932 election was also transformative. During the 70 years and 17 presidential elections that preceded FDR's victory in 1932, only two Democratic candidates were ever elected to the Presidency (Grover Cleveland in 1884 & Woodrow Wilson in 1912). FDR's election ushered in a 32 year realignment during which Democratic nominees dominated and reformed the global landscape. The 2008 election tomorrow promises to prove just as transitional as FDR's victory nearly eight decades ago.

That's why the HBS Democrats club knew it was obligated to engage the student body's political side and afford everyone the opportunity to become involved in politics this election season. After hosting nine canvassing trips to New Hampshire, a five day DNC convention trek to Denver, three Presidential and Vice-Presidential debate watches, two keynote speakers and the largest HBS voter registration drive in more than a decade, we feel the club met its calling.

Most recently, the Democrats Club hosted Corinne Tapia, COO of the Democratic National Convention Finance organization's effort, and Roger Fisk, Massachusetts State Director with the Obama for America campaign, for a discussion on the business of politics and the current political environment. Before a group of students from MIT Sloan, the Executive Education program, HKS, HLS and HBS students, Ms. Tapia explained how she coordinated a $2.5 MM budget and all logistics for the DNC Finance team's 1,300 guest suites, 4,500 daily credential passes, 5 sky boxes and 7 events twice a day for more than 8,000 people. She even provided attendees with laudable stories on the way her team managed a complex shuttle bus transportation system imported from Mobile, Alabama and kept track of 150 volunteers and a 10 person staff throughout the week.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools

FRONT PAGE