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Heroes I don't know how such people get involved so early in life in positions of such
responsibility. I playfully imagine they answer an ad that reads:
"Wanted: Self-directed, self-starter, team player who is optimistic, energetic, and committed to the fundamentals of democracy. Follows directions. Youthful exhuberance,
ability to function without sleep or food or video games, and an undaunted love for challenges are all pluses. Enjoys parades, potato chips, and talk shows. Voracious
reader of editorials is preferred. No experience necessary."
More likely they were recruited from campuses, found to be reliable and organized, then sent to far away places to run campaigns.
Beginning with the presidential primary season a year ago, an army of youthful staffers from various campaigns has been at work on the front lines of campaigns at all levels. Their job is to create a local
organization for a presidential candidate and to make it function with enthusiasm, and sometimes sacrifice. They build databases, make hundreds (maybe thousands) of phone calls, knock on doors,
organize volunteers, and arrange local visits by candidates— securing venues for events and arranging details for everything from press coverage to sign painting. They have become heroes to me because
without recognition, without financial rewards, without much thanks, they provide the grease for the wheels of our democracy. From their homes in Chicago, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, the arrive in
the Midwest, the west, the east coast, the south, wherever they are assigned. You can tell who they are by the out of state license plates and the bumper stickers plastered in every imaginable location on
their vans. Sometimes you can tell who they are by their accents. No matter that they are "out-of-towners." Their good humor, hard work, and deep commitment to their candidates quickly win
them friends among local political activist. Even though they work for national campaigns, I have never met one of these young people who did not
readily provide advice, coordinate efforts, or make opportunities available for local candidates such as myself. They add youthful energy to local political committees. They carry with them an undying spark
of enthusiasm and idealism sadly missing from politics in many quarters today. And they make miracles happen. Additional Resources
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The unsung heroes of election year politics are the twenty-somethings who take a semester off from college or postpone beginning their careers, choosing instead
to pack their bags, join a presidential candidate's cause, and move lock, stock, and barrel to a completely strange city just to work out of a small, uncomfortable
and understaffed office from July to November. I admire their commitment and courage. I admire that they act upon their convictions. And I respect their work
ethic, management skills, and originality in dealing with the day-to-day challenges of local politics.