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for life
Endeavors,
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magazine of
research and
creative activity,
is a benefit of
life membership
in the General
Alumni
Association.
Robert Whitfield’s unsuccessful 2004 cam- the face and said, “Who the hell hired you?
paign to unseat Democratic Congressman You’re just a kid.” He responded: “Well,
David Price of Chapel Hill, Mills ran for ma’am, I didn’t hire myself. But we’ve got
office herself in 2002, as a Libertarian can- to work together because I’m here now.”
didate for a statehouse seat. “I got 19 per- And he worked for months to establish a
cent, which for a Libertarian is good,” she good relationship with her.
says. Political work has
Despite their dif- taught him tenacity and
ferent political per- a strong work ethic, he
spectives, Mills and says, and brought him
Reynolds agree that “the best gift I could
the toughest part of have received — thick
political work is los- skin.” He exulted when
ing. he saw the crowd that
“You believe in met Obama in Raleigh
the person, their poli- in May during the
cies, what they stand North Carolina primary.
for, and you believe “To have people of all
they will be the best backgrounds, races, reli-
candidate,” Reynolds gions and cultures
says. “So when that’s yelling and crying and
over, it’s difficult to standing on their feet
realize that the thing and applauding — it’s
you’ve been working At one time buttons, bumper stickers and one of the most phe-
posters were the primary forms of express-
for is not going to nomenal things I’ve
ing political support. Today online videos
happen.” and blogs are favorites of younger voters. seen,” he says.
“When you work Similarly, Mills has
so hard and convince yourself there’s more been excited to see people coming
hope than there really is, it’s tough to lose,” together to support Paul. “It’s something I
says Mills. “But that’s why it’s worth doing. never experienced before — he brought
What’s worthwhile is not easy. You’ve got together a huge segment of people. To see a
to keep on fighting.” movement galvanizing, that’s the best
Dubose found his toughest moment in thing.”
politics was directly related to his age. A Says Reynolds, “It’s great to go in every
respected activist in her 70s looked him in day and work for something you believe
Life members,
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September —
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How Young Adults Voted
Presidential Vote Choice Among 18- to 29-year-old Voters
2004, U.S.
Bush 45%
Kerry 54%
Nader 0%
Endeavors is published by the
University’s Office of Research
and Economic Development.
2000, U.S.
Bush 46%
Gore 48%
Nader 5%
Buchanan 1%
Questions about your GAA
membership? Call us at
(800) 962–0742 or e-mail
membership@unc.edu. Visit us
on the Web at alumni.unc.edu.
2000, N.C.
Bush 46%
Gore 48%
Nader Data not available
Buchanan 0%
2004, U.S.
Bush 43%
Kerry 56%
Nader data not
available
Source: “Young Voter Registration and Turnout Trends,” Rock the Vote and CIRCLE, The
Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, February 2008.
