Post SC Roundtable

Dear readers, coming back from South Carolina felt like a whirlwind. I immediately went back to classes and work, trying to get back into the routine of Tampa while my mind was still in Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Aiken, and Charleston. That same week we came back Dr. JSM held a roundtable discussion at the Poynter Library. Despite getting back Sunday evening and the roundtable being Thursday morning, it felt like the best reunion seeing everyone. After being in close quarters with the class for ten days in South Carolina, it felt so strange to come back and not see everybody for four days. At the roundtable discussion, I had the honor of being one of the panelists along with Maddox (SC Democratic Party - SCDP), Steven B. (Trump campaign), Jasmine (SCDP), and Dante (Haley campaign). We answered questions that our class and Dr. JSM had thought of ahead of time and also had a productive discussion about the highlights of the trip, what we thought of SC as first in the nation for the sequential nominating process, what we learned, and more. I commended my classmates such as Nathan, for giving me the courage to ask questions while in SC and find my voice in the political field. Without their inspiration, I am not sure if I would have had the courage to speak at the roundtable discussion. It was so encouraging to hear everyone's contributions at the panel. I especially loved the vlog that Mandy made! It was so nice to see all of our memories turned into a short video for a keepsake💖

Maddox, me, Steven B., Jasmine, Dante (left to right)

Mandy, Steven B., and I watching Mandy's vlog

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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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