August 29, 2006. I'm standing outside of Mercy Lounge, a club in downtown Nashville. We had just had a resoundingly successful event inside of the club for young voters, to convince them to vote for Harold Ford Jr. Afterwards, I (the intern) have to direct traffic outside. Only problem is, we're having a torrential downpour, and under the Law of Comic Inevitability, I'm wearing a white shirt. But I'm still on such a high from the event that I barely even notice.
I think this story nicely sums up the experience of an intern or a young staffer on the campaign trail. It's at once euphoric and draining, thrilling and mundane. It's a job that will give you the time of your life while leaving you broke and soaking wet in the parking lot.
I've now worked two campaigns, and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world. And I'd like to tell you what it's like and how you, as a young Democrat, can get involved.
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