E-mail Interview
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http://www.studentsfordean.org

Michael Whitney: an 18-year-old college freshman studying political science at American University in Washington, DC.
In a March 11, 2003 e-mail Whitney provided some background:

...I originally hail from the Buffalo, NY area, where I worked sporadically for several years on various local campaigns.  I was the President and founder of the Orchard Park Young Democrats, a local chapter of the Young Democrats of America.  (The group's website, partially designed by myself, is here: www.geocities.com/opyoungdems).

The first major campaign on which I was a volunteer was that of now-Congressman Chris Van Hollen in Maryland's 8th District.  I was the campaign representative to American University, and I worked with the field director to plan grassroots outreach and field operations.

I decided to launch this website and start Students for Dean because I realized that never before had been so struck and so impressed by one man, let alone a presidential candidate - candidates generally watch what they say to an extreme degree, they tone down certain parts of what they say they want to accomplish for political purposes, and generally are not "genuine." Governor Dean is nothing like that.  His issues are real; he is not afraid to stand for what he believes.  I remember that when I last saw him and met him (at the fundraiser at the Capitol City Brewing Company on March 4), he started his speech by unashamedly proclaiming his "liberal" label.  While many people are impressed with his brave stance on foreign policy issues, I particular enjoy his social policy ideas: a balanced budget, universal health care, and a real education plan.  And it's not just rhetoric: his record in Vermont shows an ability to produce results.

But perhaps what most impressed me was one of his more general messages.  As he said at the DNC Winter Meeting in February, "If you want young people to vote in this country, then we had better stand for something, because that is why they're not voting."  He is reaching out to an entire group of people (of which I am a part) that has been ignored by the political establishment for the past 40 years.  Many students are very impressed with Governor Dean, and Students for Dean is designed to network Dean supporters across the country so that when the time comes, we can show America that we cannot be ignored.

Copyright © 2003  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.