CLP 2010: Day 9, Sunday, June 6

College Leaders Program Class of 2010
Day 9—Sunday, June 6
Reported by: Katelyn Temple, Christopher Newport University

Our day started thirty minutes later than normal at 10 a.m. We all went to class prepared to hear from Senator John Miller, who has been actively involved in the Hampton Roads community for thirty years. I was especially excited to hear from him, as I spent the past four years in Newport News. Senator Miller arrived with his wife and began by telling about his initial political experiences. He said that the Democrats often wondered if Republicans were spending as much time in caucus working to make Democrats look bad as Democrats were spending working to make Republicans look bad. He eventually learned the answer to this question was yes. With this, Miller emphasized that he was there to get things done, not to compete with the Republican Party. To accomplish his goals, he was one of four members of the Commonwealth Caucus. The Commonwealth Caucus is made up of two Republicans and two Democrats. These four members focus on redistricting, electing judges, and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.

I really appreciate the fact that Miller is not guided by party lines, but instead, what is best for Virginia. He told us not to be so involved in partisan politics that you miss the bigger picture. I found this statement very inspirational and relevant to what we have been learning at Sorensen. As leaders we will not always work with people who share our exact views and ideals. In order to succeed, we need to be able to work with people who have different views. If we only focus upon party affiliation there is very little chance of reaching compromises. I found Senator Miller very inspirational. Hearing from a Democrat who works closely with Republicans and is not afraid to stray from his party at times was very refreshing.

After Senator Miller, we watched the film Across the Aisle, a documentary about the 2007 Political Leaders Program class. This film stressed the importance of bipartisanship just as Senator Miller did. One individual in the film said that the more you talk to people, the more ideas you generate. I fully agree with this. If we shut others off because of opposing views, we greatly limit ourselves. The group was excited to see that the PLP class took part in several of the same activities as we have. Just as we did, the PLP took part in an exercise demonstrating the dangers of labeling. Many participants said Sorensen opened them up to new ideas and views, which is exactly what I have experienced so far!