This article was first published in 2003. It is from the first edition of the 20th volume of The Classic. This article was chosen as a throwback because today was the 2024 Election Simulation Kickoff, where THHS students officially start their campaign as a political candidate, super political action committee (PAC), or special interest group held annually at THHS.
Kick-Off Rally adds heat to fiery competition
Presidential candidates, interest groups, and media representatives convened on September 25 amidst patriotic streamers and spirited fanfare in a charged display of partisanship that foreshadowed the coming weeks of campaigning. The annual event formally ushered in the Presidential Primaries Election Simulation, which is intended to encourage political awareness among students. The simulation will run until Election Day in early November.
A vibrant political forum, the kickoff rally featured the ten Democratic presidential candidates who are running against Republican nominee President George W. Bush, represented by Travis Lamprecht, in the election of 2004, as well as their individual teams of campaigners and supporters. Democratic candidates included John Edwards (John Kim), Senators Carol Moseley Braun (Janelle Charles), Joseph Lieberman, (Carlos Campos), John Kerry (Eduardo Zerwes) and Bob Graham (Emanuel Smith), Congressmen Dennis Kucinich (Mat-thew Polvino) and Richard Gephardt (Louis Elrose), Reverend Al Sharpton (Payton Armstrong), Dr. Howard Dean (Corey Chu), and retired General
Wesley Clark (Matthew Hallex). All of whom are vying for their party’s nomination.
Interest groups, such as the Sierra Club, the NAACP, and the National Right to Life Committee, added to the fervor by promoting their respective issues and voicing support for their candidates of choice. Media outlets, including Meet the Press and ABC News, also lent a hand to the momentous event.
Concerns regarding the nation’s future marked a consensus among all candidates, irrespective of party lines and affiliations. As President George W. Bush praised America’s sue-cesses in Iraq and the nation’s potential for domestic prosperity. Democratic candidates denounced the current administration’s decision to go to war and urged Americans to support their views on such issues as healthcare reform, education, economic stability. foreign relations, and equality. “Every-one has the gift of equal chance,” declared Democratic candidate John Edwards in his “American Dream” speech. An abundance of energy resonated with spectators and candidates, who cited enthusiasm as the most pronounced aspect of the kick-off rally.
Senior Esther Fingerhut, a member of the Howard Dean campaign, was “surprised by people’s dedication” while Franco Scardino, Participatory Democracy teacher and Senior Advisor, described the candidates and their supporters as “prepared and enthusiastic.” Despite such displays of spirit, certain candidates remained realistic about their odds in the coming weeks. Congressman Dennis Kucinich called his bid for the Democratic nomination “an uphill race against the more well-established candidates.” Former General Wesley Clark echoed a similar sentiment, stating that “a disparity of manpower disadvantaged his chances for victory at the polls.
