Garnet Donkey

If you are an alum, you know that Swarthmore College has educated several famous Democrats. Former Massachusetts Governor and 1988 presidential candidate Michael Dukakis went here and spent time boycotting local barbers who would not serve black students, fighting to end the fraternity system, and running on the cross-country team.

Other Dems who have sat in the classrooms of Swat include Michigan Senator Carl Levin, Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, and former Florida Congressman Peter Deutsch. And, of course, there is President Barack Obama, who famously did not get in to Swarthmore.

What you may not know is what an exciting time it is right now to be a Democrat at Swat. Over the last few years, the College Democrats here have grown into a large, vibrant group of students who take an active role in all levels of politics. During the 2004 primaries, our group contained passionate supporters of Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, and John Kerry, but we all came together after Super Tuesday to elect John Kerry President.

Throughout the fall of 2004, the Swarthmore Dems phone banked, canvassed, and conducted visibility for the Kerry-Edwards ticket. Many of us participated in a PA College Dems meeting with DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe, and attended rallies in the hotly contested Philly area featuring Joe Hoeffel, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and John Kerry himself. The highlight of election season came five days before the election, when Howard Dean came to Swat to speak and LPAC turned into a giant Kerry-Edwards rally room. The energy and passion generated that day helped sustain our efforts right until Election Day.

No Dem likes to think too much about November 2, 2004, but for us, there was the consolation of Kerry’s Pennsylvania victory, as well as Republican Congressman Curt Weldon’s lowest margin of victory in years. Kerry’s Pennsylvania margin was a narrow one, and it was helped by a strong network of College Democrats throughout the state.

In 2005, far from relaxing after a hard election, the Swarthmore Dems proved that they were here to stay as a political force. Our rally to save Social Security brought together students, senior citizens, and local political leaders. Members of our group worked hard to help renew the Violence Against Women Act. Some of us took a canvassing trip to Virginia to help Tim Kaine’s ultimately successful run for governor there. Meanwhile, on campus, the Dems’ GOTV efforts helped reelect a school board member who we were supporting.

In 2006, the Swat Dems played a pivotal role in ousting (Former) Senator Rick Santorum and (Former) Representative Curt Weldon. Joe Sestak himself has acknowledged the huge amount of aid provided by the Swarthmore College Dems and their members.

In 2007 the Dems hosted such speakers as Congressman Joe Sestak and County Council candidate David Landau, and worked for local Dems during the off-year. 2008 started off with a bang when we hosted Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Gravel and Joe Sestak. Almost all of the Dems’ membership was involved in the hotly contested primary battle, not only because it was so contentious this year, but because the contest was brought to Pennsylvania in April. Dems members worked on both sides, starting groups such as Swarthmore Students for Obama and Swarthmore Students for Hillary, and bringing many speakers to educate students about their candidates, most notably, Chelsea Clinton.

As we entered the latter half of 2008, we were gearing up for one of the most exciting years for Democrats ever. During that time, and in the beginning of the 08-09 academic year, the Dems were intensely focused on canvassing, phone banking and getting out the vote — and we succeeded in getting Obama into office! After the election, we got involved in community service in Chester and traveled to Washington, DC to lobby on sex education issues.

Now more than ever, the Democrats have a mission: as Obama has said, “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America.” And we need your help!

Leaving Swat doesn’t mean you can’t stay involved. Here’s how you can keep up the fight:

• Sign up for e-mails – Get news and updates from the Swarthmore Democrats.
• Buy Garnet Donkey Gear – Graduating doesn’t mean you can’t look cool.
• Visit our Action Center
• Donate your hard earned money!
• We are always happy to hear suggestions and comments from alums! Feel free to contact us here.
• Our meetings on Tuesday nights at 9 PM in Kohlberg 228 are open to you.