Harvard Dems Hold 4th Annual Gala

Students Protest Iraq War

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Gravel Speaks At Emerson

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Super Tuesday at Harvard

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Harvard Dems Stage Protest Kidnappings

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Harvard College Democrats Endorse Sundquist-Sarafa for UC

The Harvard College Democrats enthusiastically announce their endorsement of Matt Sundquist and Randall Sarafa for Undergraduate Council President and Vice President. The overwhelming support for Sundquist-Sarafa was evident in an endorsement vote including members of the Harvard College Democrats executive board and members-at-large.

President Jarret Zafran said “Unlike previous years, there is not a clear progressive advocate running for UC President this year. That being said, we believe one ticket stands head and shoulders above the rest. The administration of Ryan Petersen and Sundquist did not achieve all it set out to do, but its record is a record of success.” He added, “Reforming the Administrative Board and simplifying student group funding are main priorities of Matt and Randall’s platform, and the Harvard College Democrats wholeheartedly support their efforts.”

Of the other tickets, Zafran noted that “We believe the candidacies of Willey/Snow and Martel/Zimmermann reflect a widespread frustration with the lack of impact students have on this administration. We feel the same frustration in both national and campus politics, but the answer is not being abrasive for the sake of abrasiveness. The administration should be publicly shamed when other more diplomatic mechanisms do not achieve necessary reforms, but it should never be the first or only option.”

Thursday night, the Harvard College Democrats held a town hall style meeting with the UC candidates. Candidates were given ten minutes for opening statements and then answered questions submitted from members at large and the audience. The candidates engaged on the issues of importance to the Harvard College Democrats; student group funding, experience dealing with the administration, political resolutions in the UC, and assistance for low income students among others.

As voting begins on Monday, the Harvard College Democrats exhort their members and all like minded students to support Sundquist-Sarafa for UC. They have the real experience to get the results we need.

Barack Obama Wins Straw Poll At Harvard Dems Convention

The Harvard College Democrats held a successful convention this Saturday, bringing together the liberal community in a focal event which helped to ignite excitement for the 2008 race. The convention concluded with a first-ever straw poll of support for the primary candidates, with 45% of convention attendees choosing Barack Obama as their nominee.

Brigit M. Helgen ’08, President of the Harvard College Democrats, said “The convention was a huge success with over a hundred people attending. It brought together the liberal Harvard community and proves that we’re excited to take back the White House in 2008.”

For the full statement from the Dems, please see the full press release.

Harvard College Democrats Present Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius With Leadership Award

Above: Dems President Brigit M. Helgen '08, with Governor Sebelius.

At the third annual Leader of the Year Award Gala this Tuesday, the
Harvard College Democrats presented Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius with their Leader of the Year Award in a culmination of a year of successful activities and campaigns. Governor Sebelius, chair of the Democratic Governors Association and one of the most popular governors in the country, is the third recipient of the award, following Representative Artur Davis (D–AL) in 2005 and former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner in 2006.

Governor Sebelius was selected for the award to honor her work in building the Democratic Party into a strong force in a state once written off as a Republican stronghold. Governor Sebelius’s achievements in Kansas, coupled with her broad-based and bipartisan support from residents of the state, make her a perfect model of the resurgence of the Democratic Party all across the nation.

For the full statement from the Dems, please see the press release.

(More photos from the event can be enjoyed here.)

Memorial Steps Host Iraq War Vigil

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Senator Chris Dodd visits the Harvard College Democrats at Kirkland House.

In the first installment of the Harvard College Democrats’ “Conversations with the Candidates” series, Connecticut’s Senator Chris Dodd spoke with students about student issues, national politics, and a possible 2008 candidacy on Friday. The event, held in Kirland House’s Junior Common Room, drew an over-capacity crowd of undergraduates and graduate students.

Senator Dodd, who served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic after his graduation, has indicated that he may be interested in running for the presidency in 2008. He stressed that his motivation to run stems from a desire to talk about issues which our country has no choice but to address. He said that the discussions which will come out of this upcoming election will be crucial in setting the course for our nation in the upcoming years.

For the full statement from the Dems, please see the press release.