2008 Woodie Awards
Senior to vote as delegate in epic election
By: Ellen Walrath
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Politics
Editor's note: This article has been corrected. See below
A senior public relations major will be somewhere in the cheering crowds at the Democratic National Convention today, participating in a historic event.
For 20-year-old Ryan McElhinney, a Barack Obama delegate, the convention is just one step on the road he's been on since before he was old enough to vote.
At 12 years old, McElhinney walked the streets of his hometown, Sacramento, trying to convince voters to support Al Gore's presidential campaign.
Since then, he's gotten practice at political organizing as president of the Democratic Club in fall 2006. He spent fall 2007 and early 2008 as California field director for Students for Barack Obama, training people to turn on-campus support for the candidate into actual votes.
This fall, McElhinney is taking the semester off to help with a congressional campaign in the north state. He will finish his final semester in spring.
McElhinney said he doesn't think campaigns are the dirty part of politics.
"Campaigning is about putting the correct policymaker in office," he said.
Participating in the process of elections, canvassing and making phone calls and speeches are ways to help the community and fix what he thinks is wrong with the country, he said.
"I want to make the world a better place," he said. "We need to be concerned about others."
McElhinney's younger sister, junior Caily McElhinney, said her brother drew her into political activism.
Now the north state regional director of California Young Democrats, she started slowly as the social director for the Democratic Club.
With her brother's encouragement she took on more responsibilities, she said.
"He understands people's interests and strengths and weaknesses," she said. "He uses that to enable them to succeed."
Ryan McElhinney said he thinks more students would get involved if political groups reached out to them.
"I absolutely hate the word 'apathetic,'" he said. "This (issue) matters to someone and you have to prove it to them. Show them what stakes they have in the election."
The delegate said political groups haven't reached young and rural voters, which is why he plans to attend their caucus meetings at the convention.
As the regional field director for Charlie Brown for Congress, Ryan McElhinney is working at least 80 hours a week in mostly rural Butte, Plumas, Lassen and Modoc counties, he said.
That workload may seem daunting, but someone getting started in politics can do something small to get going, he said.
"Start reading the front page of the paper," he said. "It takes about five minutes before class and in a week or two you'll be able to make educated choices and you can join clubs and advocate."
Ellen Walrath can be reached at
ewalrath@theorion.com
The article incorrectly stated that there were falling balloons during Obama's acceptance speech.The Orion's reporters strive for accuracy. We recognize that mistakes will occur, but we treat every error very seriously. If you feel a correction needs to be made, e-mail the managing editor at managingeditor@theorion.com
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Pair wins delegate spots for convention
A senior public relations major will be somewhere in the cheering crowds at the Democratic National Convention today, participating in a historic event.
For 20-year-old Ryan McElhinney, a Barack Obama delegate, the convention is just one step on the road he's been on since before he was old enough to vote.
At 12 years old, McElhinney walked the streets of his hometown, Sacramento, trying to convince voters to support Al Gore's presidential campaign.
Since then, he's gotten practice at political organizing as president of the Democratic Club in fall 2006. He spent fall 2007 and early 2008 as California field director for Students for Barack Obama, training people to turn on-campus support for the candidate into actual votes.
This fall, McElhinney is taking the semester off to help with a congressional campaign in the north state. He will finish his final semester in spring.
McElhinney said he doesn't think campaigns are the dirty part of politics.
"Campaigning is about putting the correct policymaker in office," he said.
Participating in the process of elections, canvassing and making phone calls and speeches are ways to help the community and fix what he thinks is wrong with the country, he said.
"I want to make the world a better place," he said. "We need to be concerned about others."
McElhinney's younger sister, junior Caily McElhinney, said her brother drew her into political activism.
Now the north state regional director of California Young Democrats, she started slowly as the social director for the Democratic Club.
With her brother's encouragement she took on more responsibilities, she said.
"He understands people's interests and strengths and weaknesses," she said. "He uses that to enable them to succeed."
Ryan McElhinney said he thinks more students would get involved if political groups reached out to them.
"I absolutely hate the word 'apathetic,'" he said. "This (issue) matters to someone and you have to prove it to them. Show them what stakes they have in the election."
The delegate said political groups haven't reached young and rural voters, which is why he plans to attend their caucus meetings at the convention.
As the regional field director for Charlie Brown for Congress, Ryan McElhinney is working at least 80 hours a week in mostly rural Butte, Plumas, Lassen and Modoc counties, he said.
That workload may seem daunting, but someone getting started in politics can do something small to get going, he said.
"Start reading the front page of the paper," he said. "It takes about five minutes before class and in a week or two you'll be able to make educated choices and you can join clubs and advocate."
Ellen Walrath can be reached at
ewalrath@theorion.com
The article incorrectly stated that there were falling balloons during Obama's acceptance speech.The Orion's reporters strive for accuracy. We recognize that mistakes will occur, but we treat every error very seriously. If you feel a correction needs to be made, e-mail the managing editor at managingeditor@theorion.com
Related articles
Pair wins delegate spots for convention
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