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Claire Baldauf - Intern in CA-50
I drove down to San Diego from Los Angeles on a Tuesday morning. Upon walking into the office, I was immediately greeted by the campaign manager and two volunteers who were both busy and friendly. I was quickly introduced to the field director and deputy field director and could immediately sense their enthusiasm for the race: Nick Leibham - Democrat, running against Republican incumbent - Brian Bilbray. The walls were covered in maps of the 50th district and Nick Leibham for Congress posters. I stayed Tuesday and Wednesday night with a volunteer who offered her seaside home to me shortly after I walked through the door. There was a sense of common purpose that drew positive energy through the small office.
We all worked until late, making calls to potential voters until about 9pm. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, the field directors took me out to see some of the San Diego nightlife. We had a good time, and caught ourselves still talking about the campaign over drinks.
On Wednesday, I met some of the younger volunteers, mostly on their summer vacations. They were from such schools as Harvard and Georgetown and exhibited both intelligence and wit that kept us laughing and the voters on the telephone line listening. Wednesday was also the campaign's volunteer orientation. We met at a democratic headquarters office in another part of the city to review what it meant to volunteer for a campaign. There were at least 25 volunteers present, of all ages and backgrounds; excitement in the air for the race ahead.
On my last day in San Diego, I met Nick in the office. He was just as personable as he appeared in his you tube videos and pictures. He took an interest in me and asked what school I was going to. When I told him I was a medical student he seemed genuinely interested and thanked me for helping in his campaign efforts.
Although we only worked together for 3 days, I was sad to leave the friends I had made on the campaign. We worked together for hours at a time, and toward a goal we all believed in. I felt fired up about this race, and making a difference in American politics. Working on the campaign was a learning experience and adventure that I recommend to any interested in politics, policy, or the simply curious soul.