Eran Fruehauf | Road to the White House 2024

Upon their arrival at the State Capitol, the USF RTWH students were treated to a small tour and a brief history of the Capitol building. Their guide, a knowledgeable staffer, recounted a brief history of the capitol building, as well as details about the structure and the various paintings displayed on the walls. After their tour, the students were greeted with enthusiasm by two State House members. Eager to delve into the political process, they engaged in discussions with the State House members, fostering dialogue on various aspects of state politics and the current political climate. The exchange covered a myriad of topics, ranging from the political climate to policy priorities, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping South Carolina's governance. Through this interaction, the students gained valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities inherent in the state's political landscape, enriching their academic pursuits with

Former Republican Presidential Nominee candidate Vivek Ramaswamy guest starred on Benny's Brews-- holding a live event at Savage Craft Brewery in Columbia. The event's  Last Wednesday, amidst the welcoming ambiance of Savage Craft Ale Works in West Columbia, South Carolina, Benny's Brew held a live video recording of their podcast with guest star and former presidential primary contender Vivek Ramaswamy. The event promised an exploration of the upcoming primary and, true to its word, delivered a candid exchange that left attendees pondering the state of political discourse. As the evening unfolded, however, it became apparent that the discourse would veer into contentious territory. Ramaswamy's remarks, while impassioned, would raise eyebrows among less radical conservatives. In particular, his assertions regarding what he saw as the 'true' Democratic nominee would stir discomfort among rationally-minded Democrats and Republicans. The suggestion that Joe Biden w

Haley held a town hall on Sunday in Columbia, SC to answer questions from voters. Fox News Journalist John Roberts moderated the town hall, and asked some of his own questions with regards to current news about her campaign opponents, frontrunners and presumed nominees, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump Many of the chosen questions echoed messaging in Haley's rally in Irmo, but topics such as Abortion, Tik Tok, and Politically Motivated Violence were some voter concerns that Haley had not previously addressed. The Town Hall, although fairly scripted, the event did provide Haley with an opportunity to expand her platform and connect with voters. Fivethirtyeight.com indicates that, despite her efforts at grassroots organizing in the Palmetto state, she still remains significantly behind Trump in the state's polls. Despite this, Haley has remained adamant about continuing the campaign, reassuring her voters that she can still win the nomination. South Carolinians will cast their ballots

On February 3rd, nearly 3 weeks ago, the South Carolina Democratic Party carried out it's "First-in-the-Nation" democratic primary. President Joe Biden garnered 96.2% of the vote, while Author Marianne Williamson and State Rep Dean Phillips came in at 2.1% and 1.7% respectively. Undoubtedly, the primary served as a resounding reaffirmation of Joe Biden's status as the presumed nominee.  Despite the fact the Primary has since passed, the South Carolina Democratic Party remains hard at work. In Lexington County, the party is calling and mailing past voters in the Democratic Primary to inform them about the convention they'll be holding next month. While this work would normally take these smaller party organizations days or weeks to complete, the SCDP interns with the Road to the White House trip made quick work of these tasks. The election of officers, delegates, and committee members are some of the business that will be conducted across the state as Democratic Pa

Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and current presidential candidate, held a campaign rally in Irmo, South Carolina, ahead of the state's Republican Presidential primary. She highlighted her achievements as governor, including boosting automotive industries and passing legislation on immigration and law enforcement. Haley outlined proposals for her presidency, such as cutting taxes and implementing a "catch and deport" policy for illegal immigration. Criticizing former President Trump, she emphasized his handling of finances, immigration, education, and legal matters. Haley also defended her husband's military service and advocated for veterans' rights. She urged attendees to vote, emphasizing the need for new leadership in the White House. Following the rally in Irmo, spectators, including our class, had the unique opportunity to take pictures with former governor Haley. As she concluded her speech, Haley welcomed attendees to approach her for photos, c

Saturday February 17th marked the 24th annual Black History Month parade hosted by Aiken county. Motorcycles, trikes, trailers, buses, and hundreds of marchers were observed as they paraded down. Various civil organizations ranging from fraternities and churches to biker clubs and marching bands. The event itself was dedicated in honor of Corporal Sonny R Ford, a retired mounted police officer who had recently passed away.  These civil organizations who participated play a crucial role in fostering social capital and community cohesion by providing a space for individuals to come together, interact and build relationships. The parade brings people together to celebrate and honor African American history and culture, providing a platform for community members to connect, engage, and promote their individual organizations.  The Aiken County Democratic Party seized an opportunity to canvas and promote their platform by tabling on the parade route. Participating in a Black History parade p

We are under a week away from our trip to South Carolina for the Republican First-in-the-South primary! Even though South Carolina serves as the nation's second primary, it is fourth on the calendar behind Nevada, Iowa and New Hampshire, which are the beginning of the process to select delegates to the 2024 Republican National Convention to determine the party's nominee for president in the 2024 United States presidential election. Nikki Haley remains the only major remaining candidate who can contest Donald Trump's dominant frontrunner position. After embarassing losses in Iowa ,  New Hampshire , and Nevada , some may be speculating when she plans on cutting losses and conceding the nomination to Trump. The bellweather states of Iowa and New Hampshire helped to whiddle the field, eliminating candidates such as Governor Ron DeSantis, Former Governor Chris Christie, Former Governor Asa Hutchinson, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Despite Haley's losses, her bets co