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| UCDC Student Marilyn Benitez (Fall 2012) at the DNC | |
Marilyn Benitez (UCDC Fall 2012, DNC Intern)
How did you get an opportunity to go to the convention?
I was given the opportunity to attend the Democratic National Convention by my internship with American Pacific Islander American Vote. The organization attends both the RNC and DNC to speak at the Asian Pacific Islander Caucuses and it just so happened that the DNC was set to happen the week I was supposed to fly out to DC, so the Executive Director Christine Chen was gracious enough to give me an experience of a lifetime.
Did you make it onto the convention floor?
I did make it to the convention floor right after the speeches had ended on Tuesday night after first lady Michelle Obama spoke. Even though it was the end of the night, being on the convention floor was still amazing, seeing what the stage looked like up close and taking pictures was quite memorable.
Who was the most interesting person you saw?
The most interesting person I was able to see at the convention was first lady Michelle Obama. The speech that she delivered on Tuesday night of DNC week was heartfelt and it really struck home with me. Mrs. Obama is the epitome of mom-in-chief, she is capable of balancing a professional career, motherhood and wife successfully which is something that I wish to achieve someday
Anything you noticed that we would never see on TV?
The convention is ONGOING, on TV there are breaks after keynote speeches, but when you’re sitting in the venue it is speech after speech.
Any parties?
After the caucuses the parties ensued! On Monday night APIA Vote, the organization that I am interning with, threw their gala which celebrated all of the API political members. I was able to attend several other parties and network throughout the week. All of them offered hors d'oeuvres and some even had cocktails, which were an amazing help to alleviate some of the stress and hustle and bustle throughout the day.
Was it what you expected?
The only thing that caught me off guard was the RAIN (see picture) I walked from a luncheon to the arena in a TRASH bag to shield myself from the pouring rain, it was semi-effective.
Did you get any sleep?
Between the 4 days at the DNC I probably cumulatively slept 16 hours. You had to wake up early to get into the perimeter without traffic and issue and you arrived to your hotel late at night after the convention and parties, it was ROUGH but WORTH IT!
Madhu Narasimhan (UCDC Fall 2011, Convention Delegate)
How did you get an opportunity to go to the convention?
In March, I received an email from the Obama campaign asking if I'd be interested in running for a delegate position. Ever since I watched the 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote speech (on TV), I've been passionate about supporting Barack Obama and his movement for change. I knew that being a delegate at the 2012 convention would be a great opportunity to support the President, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring. In April, I was elected at a Democratic caucus in the CA-17 congressional district. I owe it all to family, friends, and…all my friends from the Fall 2011 quarter in DC.
Did you make it onto the convention floor?
I did! It was surreal to see CNN anchors, White House staffers, political leaders, and activists standing right there. I had the chance to stop some of them to discuss policy, talk about their lives and plans, ask for photos (I was a star struck fan), and joke around. You come to realize that these are folks that care deeply about public service and the future of this country; their words, actions, and dreams inspire you. I was humbled, honored, and grateful for that opportunity.
Who was the most interesting person you saw?
Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts. And Bill and Barack, of course. Michelle Obama was amazing. It's too hard to pick just one interesting person!
Anything you noticed that we would never see on TV?
There were cameras everywhere --- hardly anything goes unnoticed!
I didn't watch much of the TV coverage, but what you really notice when you're there is that thousands of citizens across the country are gathered not merely for symbolic political reasons, but for the chance to truly engage in the civic process. People were there with a unified purpose: to reelect President Barack Obama; to move America forward; to really be there for one another.
Any parties?
Shhhhh.... ;)
On the last night, after the convention ended, I attended the Massachusetts party at a nearby hotel. I managed to catch Governor Deval Patrick by the doorway; he was one of the most kind, sincere politicians I have ever met. He delivered a rousing speech at the convention, so I congratulated him. My friend and I then spent a few minutes trying to convince Deval to run for president in 2016. He laughed off those requests, but he did say we could keep in touch. I'll try to convince him to run.
Did you get any sleep?
Nope.