Biography
Max McCullough ’10 is the director of public relations for the 2010-2011 academic year. Hailing from Vero Beach, Florida, he is grateful to finally be living in a place where people do not roll their eyes at the sight of his Barack Obama t-shirt. He is a History major with a focus on Russian studies.
With his first true memory of following politics being Super Tuesday in 2008, Max’s fascination with politics has continued unabated since his freshman year at Boston University, where he canvassed and phone banked with Obama for America. Since arriving at Cornell, the infectious enthusiasm of the Cornell Democrats has compelled him to pursue internships in the field of politics, with his first position in the office of the Honorable Bill Nelson, Senator from the great state of Florida. Since then, he has advised Shannon Roberts, candidate for the US House of Representatives, on how best to win the Republican-leaning 15th District of Florida, currently represented by the only alligator in Congress, Bill Posey.
Max relishes the opportunity to work with the university and the Cornell Democrats’ membership in 2010 to elect both local and national politicians who embody the responsible and equitable economical, social, and foreign policies in which we as Democrats believe.
2010-2011 Candidacy Statement
I am declaring my intention to run for President of the Cornell Democrats for the 2010-2011 academic year. I joined only this year, my sophomore year and first as a Cornell student, but I have deeply enjoyed being a part of the organization. I attend meetings regularly, am present at nearly every planning meeting, and, like all members of the Cornell Democrats, am passionate about liberal politics. While I haven’t had the time or the chances yet to occupy a position of leadership within the Cornell Democrats, I have experience as both a leader and organizer from my high school and prior college days. Running logistics for performing ensembles of 60 and 180 individuals, leading a Quiz Bowl team to a state-ranked finish, and putting together and managing trips ranging from math team competitions, fencing meets, and week-long camping trips; while I may not have proven myself as a leader of the Cornell Democrats yet, these experiences have given me the skills to lead our organization efficiently and effectively.
The fall of 2010 promises to be a harrowing time for Democrats across the country, and our organization is poised to make a difference in as many races as we will have time to contribute to. Michael Arcuri, Kirsten Gillibrand, and possibly Andrew Cuomo will all face challenging elections this year, and these are just some of the races we could involve ourselves in. In addition to campaigning heavily for Northeastern Democrats in hot water, we need to work especially hard on registration and get-out-the-vote initiatives on campus. Midterms are always difficult for incumbents, but this is especially so when our incumbents rely so heavily on the youth vote. It is out principal obligation as a college Democrat organization to mobilize the on-campus, student voting bloc.
We also must try to attract new members and keep the ones who show up at the beginning of the year. While this certainly will be easier in an election year, when more opportunities for exciting trips and events will present then we will have time for, we must trip very hard to keep our membership engaged, informed, and attracted to our organization. Frequent electronic communications, updates on races in which we invest ourselves, and compelling speakers and weekly events can all help us to this end.
The tasks and hurdles that face us both as Democrats in general and as a college political organization more specifically are impressive. However, we have proven ourselves capable of working together, and with the resourcefulness and dedication of our membership, accomplishing the improbable is clearly possible. I do not believe I can do anything on my own. Rather, I feel that I can lend the leadership and persistence our organization will require to achieve its inherent potential, and that is why I am running for the Presidency of the Cornell Democrats. Thanks you for your time and consideration.