2008 Woodie Awards
Buzz around Washington D.C.
Joe Caporoso
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Op/Ed
I am fortunate enough to be taking part in our college's Lutheran College Washington Semester during an election year. For those who don't know about the program, it is a consortium of different Lutheran colleges who own a building in Arlington, Virginia.
They provide a penthouse apartment, weekly field trips, and classes taught by a variety of professors and local experts. During the day, the program sets you up with an internship in the D.C. area, in any desired field of study. It is a good deal.
Over the last few weeks, between my internship and touring the various landmarks around the city, I've been able to sense the excitement in the city about this upcoming election. With Super Tuesday just behind us, I thought I'd share insight into a few great debates I've heard since I've been down here.
Arguably the best debate I heard took place at my internship between a former campaign manager for Bill Clinton, my supervisor, and a lobbyist who were having a lunch meeting last week.
The lobbyist was a staunch Republican who was arguing the merits of Mitt Romney's conservatism, pointing out how he is the only "true" Republican candidate.
He couldn't get over the fact that John McCain has worked with so many Democrats in the past to produce legislation, which is something you think would be looked at as a positive. Isn't it good to have the ability to maintain a functioning relationship with the other party?
The former Clinton campaign manager was carrying on about how inexperienced Obama was, while touting Hillary's extensive history in Washington.
Yet, my supervisor countered that Clinton is from the old guard and doesn't represent any true change in Washington.
She said it was time for an end to the Clinton/Bush dynasty that has produced so many problems our country is facing now. Obama offers that change.
A perfect example is his defiance to the Iraq War from the beginning, which is an issue Senator Clinton has flip-flopped on repeatedly.
They provide a penthouse apartment, weekly field trips, and classes taught by a variety of professors and local experts. During the day, the program sets you up with an internship in the D.C. area, in any desired field of study. It is a good deal.
Over the last few weeks, between my internship and touring the various landmarks around the city, I've been able to sense the excitement in the city about this upcoming election. With Super Tuesday just behind us, I thought I'd share insight into a few great debates I've heard since I've been down here.
Arguably the best debate I heard took place at my internship between a former campaign manager for Bill Clinton, my supervisor, and a lobbyist who were having a lunch meeting last week.
The lobbyist was a staunch Republican who was arguing the merits of Mitt Romney's conservatism, pointing out how he is the only "true" Republican candidate.
He couldn't get over the fact that John McCain has worked with so many Democrats in the past to produce legislation, which is something you think would be looked at as a positive. Isn't it good to have the ability to maintain a functioning relationship with the other party?
The former Clinton campaign manager was carrying on about how inexperienced Obama was, while touting Hillary's extensive history in Washington.
Yet, my supervisor countered that Clinton is from the old guard and doesn't represent any true change in Washington.
She said it was time for an end to the Clinton/Bush dynasty that has produced so many problems our country is facing now. Obama offers that change.
A perfect example is his defiance to the Iraq War from the beginning, which is an issue Senator Clinton has flip-flopped on repeatedly.