CRYSTAL LUONG
Assistant News Editor
Photo Courtesy Adam Balleck
Junior Adam Balleck greets Sen. Arlen Speccter, R-Pennslvania, for whom he interned last summer
Politics, press and parties — Pepperdine is reveling in more than just Malibu glitz and glam as it mobilizes for Election Day. The University is accessing all the bases, from the Republican National Convention to local campaigns.
Fifty-four days remain until Nov. 2, but senior Paris Dennard and junior Adam Ballek have taken the matter into their own hands. Both attended the GOP convention in New York last week: Dennard as an Arizona delegate-at-large and Ballek as an alternate delegate for Pennsylvania.
Dennard, a summer intern for the Republican National Committee, became a youth spokesman for his party as the convention brought him before the camera with rap artists P. Diddy and Outkast’s Andre 3000.
P. Diddy was filming for Citizen Change, a new youth voting initiative, and wanted a young GOP representative to speak to inner-city children about issues of their concern, according to Dennard.
“It was a very rewarding experience,” he said.
Dennard hopes he inspired youth to vote and take interest.
“They just want an opportunity to rise above and take part in the American dream,” he said.
Earlier in the week, Dennard spotted Andre, who was at the convention to film an HBO documentary about his political awakening.
“I was just trying to get a photo with him,” Dennard said. He ended up spending 45 minutes with Andre, getting interviewed for a segment in the documentary.
Both P. Diddy and Andre’s projects are scheduled to air before Election Day.
But the hip-hop encounters only led up to the highlight of Dennard’s convention experience: a mysterious phone call Wednesday night informed him he had been given “presidential seating” for Thursday’s events.
“It was tremendous to be there,” said Dennard, who sat on the platform as President Bush delivered his nomination acceptance speech.
While in New York, Dennard also recorded convention coverage in a daily diary for his hometown newspaper, The Arizona Republic.
Ballek, a member of the North Hampton County Republicans Committee, dabbled in press opportunities as well.
He provided live commentary for WAEB-AM 790’s morning show, critiquing speakers and other aspects of the convention.
“It was exciting being with like-minded people,” Ballek said.
As protesters amassed in the city’s streets and security concerns mounted during the convention, Ballek praised organizers for the event’s smooth execution and subsequent impact on voter polls.
“It was so perfectly orchestrated,” he said.
Ballek, who said his first political memory was at age 9, has served as an intern for Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, and was active in the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign. But the RNC was a first for him.
“I really wanted to go to the convention,” Ballek said. “This was the first time I was very involved in a campaign on my own.”
A friend from his hometown of Hellertown, Penn., organized a campaign for Ballek to gain one of three alternate delegate seats in the 15th Congressional District.
However, the convention was not all work and no play for the Pepperdine politicos, who were not aware of each other’s convention attendance.
“Republicans really know how to party,” Dennard said, “but you have to have the credentials.”
Ballek said a gathering by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, was a highlight of social events for the week.
Dennard agreed.
“You know it’s a really good party when you walk in the front door and Henry Kissinger is there,” he said.
Upon returning to campus, the rising politicians hope their Pepperdine classmates will be active in the political process as well.
Less than half of eligible American voters between ages 18 and 25 make it to the voting booth, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement.
But Dennard noted changes from the 2000 election in Pepperdine’s political climate.
“I think the students are ready to have a say,” he said. “Pep has become more on the political landscape.”
Ballek thinks that students at Pepperdine are more politically aware than their peers elsewhere.
“People are engaged here and care about what’s going on,” he said.
A Pepperdine political science course, with 33 students currently enrolled, seeks to promote and increase student involvement and understanding of the system.
Campaigns, Elections and the Political Process, a course team-taught by Joe Cerrell, a veteran political consultant, and Dr. Stan Moore, professor of political science, is sending students into the field to intern with candidates for public offices.
Students are required to complete 50 hours of work on a political campaign at any level — local, state and national — except for presidential campaigns, to gain insight into the process.
“We don’t want them just stuffing envelopes,” Moore said.
However, the students may find some difficulty diving into the process during this election. Local office holders face little competition, requiring less effort in their re-election campaigns, according to Moore.
“All lines have been drawn to keep incumbents in office until 2010,” Moore said. Nonetheless, Moore said he is confident all students will find a valuable internship.
A key feature of the class will be a host of notable guest speakers, including U.S. Senate candidate Bill Jones, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, D-District 41, television commentator Bob Novak and several Los Angeles mayoral candidates.
Dennard thinks youth participation in this fall’s election is crucial.
“This is the most important election this generation will ever see, given the high stakes,” he said.
09-09-2004