14 March 2008
Hillary Clinton Supporters Discuss Political House Parties
Events help people get to know candidates, gain support for campaigns
This video was produced in March 2008 by America.gov and Crossborders.
(begin transcript)
[Music and cheering.]
MELISSA ELIAS: Doing the in-home party with the personal touch is just so much more meaningful in so many different ways. I decided that our party would be called the "Get to know the real Hillary Clinton" party.
[Music.]
ELIAS: I decided fairly early on that I wanted to something for the Hillary campaign in New Jersey. I’m actively supporting Hillary Clinton, but what I think is important this year is that people are paying attention and getting involved and making the effort to get out to vote. I immediately knew who I wanted to have as my guest speaker because we have, right here in Madison, New Jersey, somebody who knows Hillary Clinton probably as well as her family does.
DON JONES: My name is Don Jones. I have known Hillary for 47 years.
“She was the first girl to run for the president of the student government.
CHRISTINE SHESLER: I think a party like this helps people, you know, again, get to the essence of who the person is and what their values are and why they’re running.
GINA DeFALCO: This is a great way to know the candidate. It’s a great way to build support and I’m really happy to be here.
JOHN ELIAS: Good night. Thank you.
MELISSA ELIAS: I think the party went great. It was everything I wanted it to be and probably more. It seems as if on the national level, at least in this presidential election, that house parties are a very effective means of gaining support.
[Music and cheering.]
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
