I have been a political "junkie" for a long time. I majored in Political Science as a student here at Stonehill, and while there, I couldn't imagine a more interesting time to be studying politics. I was able to get a unique look into the workings of both the House and Senate as the impeachment hearings of President Clinton were laid out before all of us on TV. If that wasn't enough, during the fall of 2000 I had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. to participate in a full-time internship with the Education Trust, a non-profit educational advocacy organization. I worked on K street which was a mile from the White House.
While there I was able to witness how the electoral college system can create some intense drama. I stayed up late election night and tried frantically to explain to my roommate who was from Mexico, why the winner of the contest switched 3 times! As we all remember it ultimately wouldn't be decided for over a month. I traveled with friends to the Supreme Court to wait for the Bush V. Gore decision and while I was disappointed in the outcome I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.
Fast forward 8 years later and a tremendous week of politics that may rival 8 years ago in terms of significance has just ended.
First, a woman in this country has never come as close to the Presidency as Hillary has. On August 26th, 1920, the 19th amendment of the constitution passed that gave women the right to vote. 88 years later to the day, Hillary Clinton gave a wonderful speech at the Democratic National Convention where she reminded us of this historic event and put it into prospective as she explained that her mother was born before women could vote and now she was able to vote for her daughter for president. I talked to my own Grandmother, who is 90, about Hillary's speech and she said with immense pride that she was proud of what Hillary had accomplished.
At the same time we have the first African American to be nominated by a major political party as their candidate for President of the United States. Senator Obama accepted that nomination on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King's "I have a Dream" speech. Near the end of Obama's speech he said,
Finally McCain ended the week by announcing his pick for VP, Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin. Palin is only the second woman, to be nominated as Vice President. Regardless of the outcome of this election in November, history will be made as someone other than a White, Male will occupy the Presidency or the Vice Presidency of the United States."It is the American promise that brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream. The men and women whogathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord.They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred. But what the people heard instead -- people of every creed and color, from every walk of life -- is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one."
So maybe the exciting political times that shaped my time at Stonehill will be outdone by the present political climate. Regardless, it adds up to a historic time to be a student of politics...no matter what school you attend!
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