Thursday, March 27, 2008 – 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m
The Kline Athletic Center
Student Comments
Caitlin Rice
Former President Clinton did an excellent job of detailing what makes Hillary Clinton’s plans for America distinctive. On the event in general, I thought it was great to see so many people there and so excited–regardless of whether they were Democrat or Republican. Having former President Clinton speak on behalf of Hillary was an excellent opportunity as I feel it drew an open minded crowd.
Through this experience and leading the Dickinson Student for Hillary Group on campus, I have learned a great deal, not only about the logistics and politics of a campaign, but about how to communicate more effectively on many levels with peers and professionals. Some of Hillary’s young campaign workers have described being a “Clintonian” on a campus as if describing being a “punk rocker”! Senator Obama’s popularity permeates most college-aged youth, and I have been discovering better ways to engage the opposition in productive conversation about the seemingly slight differences between Obama and Clinton’s policies and the strengths and weaknesses of each.
For me, President Clinton’s visit was the opportunity of a lifetime to introduce the man who defined what I believe was an era of peace and propsperity in which my generation lived as children in America during the 1990s.
Lee Tankle
When President Clinton spoke to the crowd, I was given a unique insight into many of the issues facing America and the world. I was particularly touched by President Clinton’s discussion of the environment and his efforts to connect the sustainability initiatives of Dickinson College to the broader initiatives of “green building” that Hillary Clinton would implement if elected president. I was proud to be a Dickinsonian because many of the environmental initiatives that President Clinton discussed, Dickinson was already actively engaged in, or pursuing.
Being part of the campaign process allowed me to see that political campaigns are much more fast paced than any textbook could ever convey. The rapidity in which the event came together was proof positive of this. I also noticed that while political campaigns may come across as smooth and perfect on television, there is often a great deal of disorganization and confusion in preparation for a massive event like the appearance of a former President of the United States. Much of the confusion and secretiveness is necessary in order to prevent any security breaches to ensure that the president is safe.
I was also very pleased about how down to earth and pleasant President Clinton was. When we chatted with him, he didn’t give off an air of arrogance or elitism which one might expect from a person of his stature.
“Presidential Politics and the Clinton Campaign”
The appearance of President Clinton on behalf of presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton is at the invitation of the Dickinson College Democrats student organization, with logistical support from The Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues. Dickinson College does not endorse any candidates for public office and the views or opinions expressed by this speaker are not those of Dickinson College.