Day 4: Meg Kinnard & SCDP Headquarters

We started today off by having AP reporter Meg Kinnard come speak to us over breakfast. She had so much to share with us including her start in journalism, specifically political journalism, her background (college and upbringing), and what it takes to be a national politics reporter. She also answered all of our questions as well. I have noticed on this trip that everyone has been so patient to answer all of our questions, and I truly appreciate that as we are such a large group of students. Mrs. Kinnard taught us that when following a particular political figure, it is also important to maintain a relationship with them off the record which I found so interesting.

We had lunch at Lizard's Thicket which is apparently a South Carolina staple. Dr. JSM had all of us go in and sit to eat to get the true southern experience. It was definitely southern food that's for sure but it was fun to get to try a locally important spot for the culture.

After Mrs. Kinnard spoke with us, we went to the South Carolina Democratic Party headquarters in Columbia. We met with Jay Parmley (Executive Director) and Matt Greene (Technology Director). We also met with the Chair, Christale Spain, who is the first black woman to be elected in this role in the SCDP. They all presented themselves, their roles, and primary-related information to us. They also answered our questions. We phonebanked during the day and wrote postcards inviting Democratic citizens to the state convention when we came back to the hotel for the SCDP. It was so rewarding getting to meet the team and start interning for them.

SCDP Headquarters

Postcard

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Day 2: Democratic Party, Black History Parade, Nikki Haley Bus Stop Tour

Today we went to the Aiken County Democratic Party to learn more about the county demographics, voter concerns, what motivates citizens to vote, what are the goals of the Democratic Party, and to answer any student questions. Theresa and Pete were really patient and answered all our questions, and offered really great insight. We also were in Aiken for the Black History Month Parade. It was a fantastic time, and our peers, Nathan and Steven, even participated in the parade! We then went over to Irmo, South Carolina for Nikki Haley's bus stop tour to listen to her speech. It is a grassroots event that is happening around South Carolina to reach local voters to motivate them to get out and vote. Dr. JSM arranged for us to meet and get a picture with Haley after the event. It was definitely interesting to attend an event and listen to a speaker from the Republican Party as someone who has previously always attended and interned for the Democratic Party. I even got interviewed by a U

Welcome to my blog!

Hello everyone and thank you for checking out my blog! My name is Lana Sleiman and I am a senior at USF Tampa majoring in political science with a minor in French and francophone studies. I am excited to take you along with me as I embark on the Road to the Whitehouse internship in South Carolina! I told myself in freshman year of college that I wanted to participate in an internship or job with a presidential campaign by the time it was the end of my senior year, or right after graduation, since I knew I would be graduating in a general election year. Once I learned about this course and the opportunity that it would grant me to intern for the South Carolina Democratic Party, and get hands-on learning experience in a presidential campaign cycle, I knew I had to apply for this course. It was everything I had wanted since freshman year. I have had other governmental experience such as interning for Florida Democratic Representative Fentrice Driskell of former District 63. I had learned

Day 7: State House tour - Rep Micah Caskey & Rep Mike Neese, last day at the SCDP, & turning SC purple

We started the morning off with our typical morning seminar and breakfast then headed to the State House! I have been to the Florida Capitol several times but I was so excited to visit South Carolina's. It was absolutely beautiful. The main colors of the rooms, walls, and ceilings were teal and a dark rose. The colors complemented each other so well. The furniture was of wood and navy leather. There was a skylight on the second floor that splits into the Senate Chamber and House of Representatives. The history behind the building was fascinating. It was originally built by slaves, construction was halted, and then it was completed in the early 1900s. Representative Micah Caskey (R) of Lexington County and Representative Mike Neese (R) of Lancaster County spoke to us while we visited the House of Representatives. They were laid-back, answered all of our questions, and had some interesting perspectives to provide during their time as Representatives. For example, for Representative

USF Road to the White House 2024 - Lana Sleiman

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