Priests, Presidents & Parties - Party Heads Faced-off at CUA

In 2004, Chairs of DNC, RNC Were Both Univ. Alum

Against the odds, it happened once, and it is not likely to happen again - the heads of the two biggest parties in the country were both Catholic University Alumni. Terry McAuliffe, B.A. 1979, and Ed Gillespie, B.A. 1983, faced off in a political debate in 2004 in the Edward J. Pryzbyla Center, as they were both chairmen of the Democratic and Republican parties (respectively) at the time of the debate.

Over 800 students, faculty and alumni gathered to watch the well known alumni battle it out in the Pryzbyla Center Great Room. The former politics majors discussed the fundamental issues at stake during the 2004 presidential election between current President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). The debate was also televised by C-SPAN.

The debate began with informal banter about the closing of The Ratt (former Rathskellar, popular student bar formerly located in Cardinal Hall), as well as which debater graduated with the highest honors.

Gillespie, an Irish American from outside Philly, discovered the University in high school when a teacher noticed his accomplishments in their school paper and suggested he attended a well-known university in DC. During his time at CUA, he served as sports editor for The Tower and played for the rugby team as well as intramural basketball.

McAuliffe had been involved with the Democratic party from a young age, since his father was the treasurer for the Onondaga County Democratic Party. He was a resident advisor and vice president of the Judicial Branch of the student government while he attended the University.

The debate concluded with both debaters asking students to vote in what would be one of the most important campaigns in American history.

CRs Hosts Convention Party in Pryzbyla Center

The College Republicans hosted a viewing party in the Pryzbla Food Court to watch Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain’s acceptance speech Thursday night.

The College Republicans provided food and had their very own McCain cardboard cut out in attendance as the speech was projected on to a large screen for everyone to see.

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“We need to change the way government does almost everything,” McCain said in his speech. “Fight with me. Fight for what’s right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.”

“I thought it was really good, I thought it was extremely presidential. I don’t think his as good as a speaker as Obama, but he makes up for that in terms of what he said,” said College Republican member Matt Purble, who was at the viewing party.

Other students in attendance did not share the same view.

“It wasn’t as good as Obama’s. McCain doesn’t have the same energy. Talks about change yet he support the president 90 percent of the time,” said freshmen Scott McNeil.

Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, spoke Wednesday night at the Convention. She is the first woman to run for the office as a Republican. Since being nominated, Palin has been questioned about her experience and conservative viewpoints. Her family and pregnant 17 year old daughter have also been a source of controversy.

Governor Tim Pawlenty, Senator Sam Brownback, Representative Mary Fallin, Senator Lindsey Graham, former Governor Tom Ridge and Mrs. Cindy McCain, also spoke Thursday evening at the convention.

Hard Work Gets Frosh DNC Ticket

Freshman William Washington spent the week at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Washington, a politics major, won an essay contest sponsored by the Democratic Party and D.C. Votes, an organization that works to secure Congressional voting rights for the residents of Washington D.C.

“D.C. Votes gave young people in the District a chance to share their thoughts on voting rights,” said Washington. His winning essay was entitled “D.C Voting Rights: A Dream Deferred.”

Washington and three other contest winners shadowed the representatives throughout the week. “We worked under the delegates, delivering papers, handing out advocacy materials and helping the delegates with whatever they needed,” explained Washington.

“I learned the process of nominating the president as well as the plan for the election and the upcoming year,” he said.

Washington stayed in the same hotel as the delegates from Washington D.C., including Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Though his schedule was filled with work and errands, Washington found time to enjoy himself. “It was just a great experience,” he said. “The best part was hearing Barack Obama speak–I was right across from where he was standing.”

Although he was disappointed that he did not get to hear Bill Clinton speak, Washington said, “I came away with an experience of a lifetime. I acknowledge that I was not only witnessing history, but I was a part of history.”