GCU TODAY • 2 1
“Every day going into the office I know it’s going
to be different, and that’s what I like most about it,”
she says.
But, at the end of the day, the interns share
a similar objective: to spread McCain’s message
and, above all, gain political support from the
millennial generation.
On Saturday mornings, the interns huddle at the
headquarters — sporting McCain sunglasses and
T-shirts and fueled by soda, candy and chips. They pull out their smart
phones to check the updated Walk Book application in their devices
before splitting up into teams, jumping in their cars and driving off to
collect signatures from voters.
Franse, who has a passion for business and politics and dreams of
running for the U.S. Senate someday, says he quickly learned that the
best way to get involved in politics is to get involved in a campaign
because of the hands-on experience.
“From grassroots to meeting state representatives to making a lot of
connections, there are so many different outlets through which you can
gain so much experience in this internship,” he says.
Crawford also is no political newcomer. She has been around politics
her whole life, including taking
part in rallies with her family
and volunteering in campaigns.
“It frustrates me that the
younger generation doesn’t
know anything about politics
— it’s kind of scary,” Crawford
says. “Even if someone doesn’t
vote for our political candidate,
it’s just the idea of being
involved in politics that I am
really grateful for.”
Political fallout
While collecting signatures can be interesting, it is also one of the
interns’ most difficult tasks. At the same rate that voters gracefully
offer interns bottled water and cheerfully express how much they like
McCain, they also shut their doors and taunt them, said sophomore
Chelsea Evans.
“With politics shaping our world, as a political intern you learn to
grow thick skin,” she says. “It’s easy to see a political candidate standing
up on stage and running for a position. It’s easy to sign the ballot and
vote, but after actually being in a campaign you definitely gain a lot of
empathy and knowledge about those who get to work underneath them.”
Evans, who is from Washington, says it’s important for an out-of-state
student to feel a sense of fellowship.
“I came here not knowing anything or anyone, and this campaign
team has allowed me to make new friends and meet people who
are encouraging and motivated to make a difference in the local
community,” she says.
McCain is confident they will continue to make a difference.
“There is nothing to match this experience,” McCain says. “But I
know for a fact that many of them will consider seeking public office
after having been involved in this campaign, and that’s an important
factor for the future of American politics.”
Four of the GCU students who are interns for
Arizona Sen. JohnMcCain (photo on Page 20, left to
right) are sophomores Anthony Aguilera, Cathleen
Daly andMcKenzie Shaver and junior Hillary Gavino.
Hillary Gavino (top photo, foreground) and
Cathleen Daly work at McCain's headquarters.
The senator was on hand for the GCU
basketball game on HomecomingWeekend
and spent time there with his interns.
McCain is like
our grandpa—
he’s fun, he’s
talkative and
he tells a lot of
grandpa jokes”
