I can’t think of the New Hampshire primary without thinking of my winter up there working as a volunteer. I was a senior at Colby College in 1992 and went with my friend and fellow political junkie David Leavy to volunteer. I worked for the Tsongas campaign and David went to work for the Clinton campaign.
My campaign, Tsongas’, may have won the primary, but I think the real winner was David! Within a few weeks, David had worked hard and made a great impression and he was invited to go to Little Rock to work on the campaign straight away after graduation in the spring. From there, he met DeeDee Myers, becoming her aide and eventually a White House staffer. David spent an incredible seven and half years in the White House pressure cooker, rising to be spokesperson for the National Security Council.
That amazing ride started as a volunteer working the phones and knocking on doors during the New Hampshire primary. Hard not to wonder about the young volunteers working up there right now who may end up working in the White House. The New Hampshire primary is more than an election, it is political theater and a great opportunity for voters to get up close to the candidates. It is also a great opportunity for people to get involved in the process, you never know what can happen!
One last point that made this interview so fun for me was getting another chance to thank David for giving me one of the greatest non-kid related experiences of my life, two consecutive afternoons in the West Wing, meeting with President Clinton in the Oval Office, watching the national radio address from the Roosevelt Room, walking the Rose Garden, briefing room, etc. It was just an incredible experience I will never forget and it was very gracious of David to make it happen.
It has been awesome to follow David’s career. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person! He is currently Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Corporate Affairs for Discovery Communications. His current job looks almost as fun as his White House job!
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