CLP 2009: Day 10, Monday June 8

College Leaders Program Class of 2009
Day 10- Monday, June 8
Reported by: Jenna Klym, Virginia Tech

Monday. Week Two. We started our day with Bob Gibson, our program director and friend.  He spoke about his own beginnings in journalism and politics.  As we discussed his background and career as a political commentator and journalist in the Charlottesville area, it was apparent that his principles are rooted in non-partisan and objective politics.  As he closed his presentation, he nonchalantly noted that “Virginia politics was once an oasis of calm predictability, but it ain't no more!”  This theme would resonate throughout the day, as political leaders from every age and background gave us new ideas for creating a better Virginia.
     Ben Marchi of the non-profit organization Americans for Prosperity followed Mr. Gibson.  A native of Charlottesville, Marchi first participated in the political process as a kid with his father licking envelopes and going door to door.  That grassroots campaigning stuck with Marchi as he uses those same tactics on a grander scale to cross party lines and make issues hands-on for Virginians.  As AFP tackles issues such as transparency in government and free markets, they reach out not only to Republicans but to Democrats as well.  The group epitomized the unbiased politics that we are trying to create in our own classroom.  His advice, “as long as you do the right thing in politics, you’ll have a blast,” reminded us that politics can be fun when issues are resolved by working together.
     Bill Shobe, a professor at the University of Virginia, took center stage after Marchi.  His goal was to speak about economics and public policy, but we accomplished so much more than that!  Dr. Shobe’s objective was to relay to us the reasons why government exists. With many of us being history and political science majors, this seemed like it would be an easy lecture.  However, with Dr. Shobe in control, the class had a very animated discussion that made us think on a very different level.  He helped us come to the conclusion that government exists to solve the problems that accompany ownership rights and the control of resources.  The conversation seemed to relate directly to current political controversies; however, Dr. Shobe reminded us that although “these times are exceptional, all times are exceptional” giving us hope and excitement for our own careers that lay ahead in the political world!
     Our forth speaker, Dave Norris, the Mayor of Charlottesville, explained the inner workings of local politics.  Although he was the underdog in the 2006 mayoral election, his campaign strategies such as neighborhood meetings where he focused on local issues, proved to be successful.  His enthusiasm for the Charlottesville community illustrated the importance of local politics and initiatives.  The Sorensen standards of non-partisan politics shined through as he noted that as a Democrat he had supported a republican candidate for sheriff in the past.  Mr. Norris showed the class that local state politics is the very foundation of our political system.
     Our class ended the day with a session with Dr. Kidd.  We discussed the evolution of political parties in Virginia.  The discussion reminded the class that we do not need to be tied to political parties to be active in politics.  But it might have been Mayor Dave Norris’ reference to the quote that there is “no Republican or Democratic way to fill a pothole” that resonated the most with our class today.  Ultimately, as Sorensen students we must remember that being true to ourselves does not mean we have to be true to our parties: unbiased politics is the Sorensen way!

—Jenna Klym, Virginia Tech