Newsroom Archive for 06/9, 2010

College Leaders Program Class of 2010
Day 11—Tuesday, June 8
Reported by: Matthew Taguding, Shenandoah University

Cooler and less humid, the weather started out on a much more agreeable note than many days in the previous week. Thus was the 2010 College Leaders Program class greeted on the way to class on our second Tuesday participating in the Sorensen experience. But this was no ordinary Tuesday. This was Super Tuesday, with primaries and runoff elections happening in Arkansas, California, Iowa, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota, and of great interest to the class and the Commonwealth. Election predictions were the conversation topic of the day, and much speculation was traded on the walk over to the engineering building for class.

The day’s session of "the Informed Citizen" was appropriate given the current events. The topics included redistricting and gerrymandering, the role of media in politics (with special attention to campaigning and election), and finally the relationship and interplay between different levels of government.

The redistricting discussion was especially important; given that 2010 is a census year, the following session of Virginia’s legislature would be responsible for redrawing the lines. Much attention was given to the history of parties consolidating their power during a census year. The history of discrimination inherent in the process, and laws that have since sought to rectify that misuse, were also covered. The discussion of redistricting concluded with the fact that many are still calling for reform and a bi- or non-partisan effort to more fairly and realistically create districts.  Some argued that such reform would enhance democracy and participation, while the current system stifles them.

After a lunch of salad and hearty sandwiches and a short break where many reveled in the weather in the courtyard, the class broke into discussion groups to assess the progress that each policy group had made. Whe hashed out many ideas about the specifics of the refined plans, and the policy groups received constructive criticism to further improve the ideas. Many groups opted to spend their discussion group time outside, continuing the trend of outside enjoyment on such a beautiful day.

Upon returning to the class, we were greeted by two members of the Virginia House of Delegates, David Toscono (D-57th) Robert Bell (R-58th), both representing the area around and including Charlottesville. They took questions, spoke about their districts and gave advice about how to develop skills necessary to make it in local politics. They even asked the students questions in order to get a feel for what they could provide to prospective interns and how they could improve those interns’ experience.

Following the two delegates was Ben Marchi, a lobbyist and the Virginia state director for Americans for Prosperity. AFP is a conservative advocacy group with special focus on limited government and transparency in the government that works on both a statewide and national level. Speaking especially to the future lobbyists in the room, he explained some of the tactics his own organization has employed and how they differ from those of the other lobbyists that have come to speak to the class.

The final speaker of the day was Craig Evans, who brought the day’s discussion full circle by speaking to the class about the essential role of media in a functioning democracy. Drawing examples from topics ranging from his specialty in alternative energy and the myths inherent in it, to the plethora of political blogs which as of yet are an X factor in the political discourse, he helped the class reach a better understanding the history of media in America and the state of the media as it exists today.

Though the classes were finished, the discussion was not. Returning to the dorms, the students continued to buzz about the elections all through dinner (and copious amounts of cake) in the suite in which I happen to reside. Seeing such a group of people, who could break bread with one another and discuss politics at the dinner table without dispersing the crowd, but rather draw one, was a sight rare to those in our age group, and especially in a group so politically diverse. But then, that’s what makes the Sorensen experience such a special one; it specifically forms a group of such diversity to help to show the common ground upon which we all stand. It is humbling to be part of such a unique group of people and an honor to call these driven individuals my peers and fellow classmates in the Sorensen Institute.

And to think that such a fine group of young adults will all be going to jail in the morning!