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Where on the campaign trail are Ethan Kelly and Galia Slayen?

By Ethan Kelly '14 and Galia Slayen '13

November 1, 2012

 Ethan Kelly '14

While in recent years I have discovered a new  love of politics, the extent of my knowledge did not reach far beyond what I learned on “The Daily Show” four nights a week.  Now don’t get me wrong, Jon Stewart is surprisingly informative, but my knowledge was somewhat limited by simply following this show. So, when I received a chance to work on the Obama Presidential Campaign for the semester, I jumped at the opportunity.

With my bags packed, I hit the road for Iowa in early August.  After the two-day journey from upstate New York, I arrived in Des Moines and began working on the campaign as a Press Intern.  Not really knowing what to expect, I just hoped my job would entail more than memorizing coffee orders.  Instead, my internship began with the arduous task (and one I continue to do) of compiling clips pertinent to the campaign every day.  As the days and weeks progressed, my job began to expand—drafting press releases and letters to the editor, pitching interviews and events to local media outlets and even staffing campaign surrogates as they travelled to and throughout the state (pretty sure I know half the Massachusetts House by now)—easily dispelling my initial worries.

Although I did not entirely know what to expect when I set foot into the campaign office on day one, 86 days away from the election, my experience has been more than I could have ever hoped.  Not only has it been incredibly educational, but I now have a new understanding of how the political process works as well.

Since setting foot in Iowa, I have seen the president speak, heard Bruce Springsteen perform, met congressmen and celebrities alike, had an opportunity to speak with Secretary of Agriculture and Hamilton alum Tom Vilsack and even had lunch with Rashida Jones (probably the best day ever).  In so many ways this has been an incredible internship, made even better by the fact that I am helping to reelect President Obama, an exciting feat on its own.  This has truly been a memorable experience and Nov. 6 cannot get here fast enough.

Galia Slayen '13

After spending the year abroad in Beijing and Washington D.C., I’ve had the opportunity to spend my fall semester working for Christie Vilsack, Kirkland ’72, in Iowa. Since June, I have been living in Ames, Iowa and working on Christie’s campaign for US Congress and we’re working hard everyday to help Christie as she attempts to make history.
Christie would be the first-ever female to represent the state of Iowa in higher office, as Iowa and Mississippi are the two remaining states that have never elected a woman to the House, Senate or Governor’s office. Christie would also be the first-ever female representative from Hamilton College.

As deputy communications director, I work closely with the communications director on all issues related to press. My primary responsibilities include managing our online website (www.ChristieVilsackForIowa.com), running all of our social media efforts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and shooting photography and video for the campaign. I also spend a lot of time on the road with Christie, traveling to small towns and cities across the 4th District while on the campaign trail.

Christie is running against a five-term incumbent and with a Republican voter advantage in the newly redrawn 4th District, many believed Christie’s chances were a long shot. But in Kirkland/Hamilton spirit, Christie is putting up a strong fight and we are now in a dead heat. It is my hope that in less than a week, both Iowa and Hamilton College will have the privilege of calling Christie Vilsack their first-ever Congresswoman.

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