Monday, February 26, 2024

Newsmax by John Gizzi -- interviewed USF Road to the White House students in South Carolina

For the full article, see this link:

https://www.newsmax.com/john-gizzi/trump-youth-vote-biden/2024/02/25/id/1154854/

By JOHN GIZZI

CORRESPONDENT

Young Volunteers Tell Newsmax Why They Like Trump

By John Gizzi Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:22 AM EST Current | Bio | Archive

It has often been conjectured that if younger voters turn out in large numbers, the odds on Donald Trump unseating Joe Biden will drop dramatically.

The former president’s seeming dismissal toward youth-embraced issues such as climate change, not to mention his opposition to legalized abortion and his demeanor, the argument goes, are strong reasons that a “youth-quake” of voters will finish him.

So, in noticing a large contingent of University of South Florida interns for the Trump campaign at its Columbia, South Carolina headquarters on the day of the Palmetto State’s presidential primary, Newsmax decided to ask just what motivated them to work for the candidate who is easily the most controversial among many of their contemporaries.

“He has the power and influence to make the U.S. a superpower again,” said freshman Olivia Borek. “I am most interested in international relations and I think President Trump would know best how to deal with the world situation.”

Borek’s fellow freshman Grace (she did not want to give her last name) explained she was “very interested in the process and was especially focused on the issues of border security and the economy. I agree with his policies on those issues and I like him personally.”

“He’ll put our nation first,” said Valaria, a USF senior who also requested we not use her last name. “He’s restored our sense of nationality and get our priorities right.”

Ellie Barton, a junior, recalled how “in Trump’s first term, gas prices were at $1.17 a gallon and then they shot up when Biden came in. Trump will be good on energy and I hope he finally opens up the Keystone XL pipeline.”

Steve Brown, who is study at USF after a stint in the U.S. Navy, said: “I am working for Donald Trump because he made my life better when I was in the service. He took special interest in the plight of veterans and was in the process of overhauling the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Where one sometimes had to wait 30 days to get an appointment with VA, Trump was in the process of cleaning things up. Now, under Biden, the VA is failing veterans and veterans are killing themselves at a higher-than-ever rate. Trump will take care of veterans.”

Monday, February 19, 2024

USF Road to the White House students, Aiken Black History Month Parade - interviewed by WRDW TV station

On our first full day in South Carolina, the students interning for the Democratic Party visited the Aiken County Democratic Party Headquarters. After a productive meeting and lunch with local Democratic leaders, the students went to the Aiken Black History Month Parade.

Here - you can see some of our students marching in the parade with the NAACP - and other students interviewed by WRDW

Click here for the full story - and the video

https://www.wrdw.com/2024/02/18/aiken-celebrates-24th-annual-black-history-parade/?fbclid=IwAR3j_3gdt_3PRRsEUpkXKb5o_b1uwoB4Qt4q7AmYNp_gA5pSbfnAV-IHvCU

By Audrey Dickherber

Published: Feb. 18, 2024 at 12:02 AM EST

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Aiken held its 24th annual Black History Parade on Saturday, “Doing it western style, riding high in the community for unity” in honor of Corporal Sonny R Ford.

Presented by the Black Historical Committee of Aiken, along with the city of Aiken on February 17, people and floats came out in droves.

“It’s like a reunion really, you know, because the community is far fetched. You know, Aiken county is one of the larger counties geographically, and it brings up us together from all over and the generations that are here, you know, it’s just wonderful. I love it. I grew up in this neighborhood,” said Alma Finnie, who attended the celebration.

People from different backgrounds, cultures, generations and even states came out to celebrate.

“My parents are Bangladeshi, so usually I’m trying to seek out other like people from my culture, so seeing that people are coming together here, it makes me like, you know, really happy to see all that,” said Sasha Hossain, who attended the celebration.

People lined the streets cheering on the parade and showing support for each other.

“Good to see people celebrating, come together and just enjoy each other’s time. Instead of it always being something different. It’s nice to see people just enjoy each other,” said Kieria Evans, who attended the celebration.

They say it’s important to lift each other up and show support, no matter where you come from.

“We need to let everyone know, of the past because it’s been extolled that he who does not know the past is subject to repeat it. So we’ve come to this community to get together and share our culture, you know, the things that are going on in the community and celebrate who we are, where we’ve come from. And more importantly, you know, where we are going,” said Finnie.

And the celebration didn’t end with the parade, many people gathered at Perry Memorial Park to continue the festivities and enjoy time together.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Bay News 9 - Dalia Dangerfied - "USF St Pete Students Head to South Carolina to Volunteer for Presidential Campaign

Thanks reporter Dalia Dangerfield and Bay News 9 for coming to our Road to the White House class - and getting the scoop on what our students will be doing in South Carolina (First in the Nation/Democrats - First in the South/Republicans) Presidential Primary

https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2024/02/14/usf-st-pete-students-head-to-south-carolina-to-volunteer-for-presidential-primary-

Bay area students head to South Carolina to volunteer for presidential primary

By Dalia Dangerfield Tampa

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Students at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg are headed to South Carolina this week to volunteer ahead of the Republican presidential primary.

What You Need To Know

Students at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg are headed to South Carolina to volunteer ahead of the Republican presidential primary
The trip is part of a course called “The Road to the White House 2024”

Each student chose to intern with Republican candidates Donald Trump, Nikki Haley or with the South Carolina Democratic Party

The trip is part of a course called “The Road to the White House 2024.” The students applied to be in the class. Each student chose to intern with Republican candidates Donald Trump, Nikki Haley or with the South Carolina Democratic Party.

“The democrats had their election, but now what?” asked USF St. Pete professor Judithanne McLauchlan. “They’re going to be doing their delegate selections so these students will get the behind the scenes look at all of that process.”

The students leave for South Carolina on Friday and will stay for 10 days.

“I really have no idea what the campaign is going to look like,” said student Dante Rubino, who will intern with former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign.

“I’m looking at getting on the inside track and furthering my career,” said student and veteran Steven Brown. Brown already works with veterans. He plans to intern with former President Donald Trump’s campaign.

While they’re in South Carolina, each student will blog about their experience.

Bay area students head to South Carolina to volunteer for presidential primary

By Dalia Dangerfield Tampa

UPDATED 10:35 AM ET Feb. 14, 2024 PUBLISHED 8:55 AM ET Feb. 14, 2024

Bay area students head to South Carolina to volunteer for presidential primary

By Dalia Dangerfield Tampa

UPDATED 10:35 AM ET Feb. 14, 2024 PUBLISHED 8:55 AM ET Feb. 14, 2024

Bay area students head to South Carolina to volunteer for presidential primary

By Dalia Dangerfield Tampa

UPDATED 10:35 AM ET Feb. 14, 2024 PUBLISHED 8:55 AM ET Feb. 14, 20

Bay area students head to South Carolina to volunteer for presidential primary

By Dalia Dangerfield Tampa

UPDATED 10:35 AM ET Feb. 14, 2024 PUBLISHED 8:55 AM ET Feb. 14, 2024

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Florida Politics article by Janelle Irwin Taylor: "USF Students Head to South Carolina for Road to the White House program, will work on presidential campaigns"

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/659187-usf-students-head-to-south-carolina-for-road-to-the-white-house-program-will-work-on-presidential-campaigns/

USF students head to South Carolina for Road to the White House program, will work on presidential campaigns

'Students will get to see retail politics up close while learning about grassroots organizing and see how presidential candidates interact with voters.'

A group of 24 University of South Florida (USF) students will head to South Carolina Friday where they will work on presidential campaigns for former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and the Democratic Party.

The Road to the White House course is a 10-day internship program paired with a semester-long course learning about the history and politics of presidential campaigns and elections.

The students will be led by Judithanne Scourfield McLauclan, a USF political science professor who teaches the course. It’s the sixth Road to the White House course, but the first to visit South Carolina. Previous cohorts traveled to New Hampshire.

“Students will get to see retail politics up close while learning about grassroots organizing and see how presidential candidates interact with voters,” McLauchlan said. “Just by getting a chance to be there and take part, they will learn about elections and the excitement that comes with working on a presidential campaign.”

As part of the 10-day internship students will canvass, phone bank and observe overall campaign practices. Some have chosen to work directly with the Haley or Trump campaigns, others will assist the Democratic Party, including helping with statewide elections and building party support.

Students will spend their days going on morning field trips with guest speakers to places like the South Carolina Statehouse, followed by campaign work in the afternoon and evenings.

Some of the students have worked on campaigns before, including USF senior Political Science major Steven Brown, who is excited to gain experience on a Presidential Election.

“It’s an amazing opportunity. The connections you can make on the campaign trail and use it as a ladder for your future are endless,” he said.

Brown will work on the Trump campaign during the internship. He added that he hopes the opportunity helps him make an impression on those he works with on the trail.

Abigail Sanders is a junior double majoring in political science and international studies. She developed a passion for politics from her parents, who are also politically engaged. She hopes the Road to the White House internship will allow her to become further involved in this year’s election cycle while also helping her determine which type of law to study after she graduates.

“I’m hoping to see if this experience working directly in the presidential election will make me want to work more on domestic issues like election law or if I’d prefer something more international, such as focusing on human rights, at law school,” she said.

Sanders will be working with the South Carolina Democratic Party.

The class departs from USF St. Petersburg on Friday and will return on Sunday, Feb. 25.

Those interested can follow along with the class’s progress at their class blog.

Road to the White House 2024 -- Class Photo out by the sailboats -- USF St Pete Bayboro

Southeast Politics - Janelle Irwin Taylor article about Road to the White House 2024

https://southeastpolitics.com/usf-students-head-to-south-carolina-for-road-to-the-white-house-program-will-work-on-presidential-campaigns/

USF students head to South Carolina for Road to the White House program, will work on presidential campaigns

le Irwin Taylor

uary 14, 20

USudents head to South Carolina for Road to the White House program, will work on presidential campaigns