Campaign staffer Natalie Caraballo (left) introduces Madeleine Albright. “I am from Puerto Rico and took a flight to Alexandria to come make sure others vote,” said Caraballo. “As a double minority, a Latina woman, I need to be well represented in this election. That’s what brought me here.” Photo by Vernon Miles.
After a few minutes of greeting Democratic supporters and talking about her experiences with Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright walked into a secluded side room. Like dozens of other volunteers, she was there to make phone calls. On Aug. 30, the Hillary campaign headquarters in a suite near the Bradlee Shopping Center was filled to the brim with Clinton supporters making phone calls and doing data entry. With the election two months away, it's all hands on deck for campaign volunteers.
“No one is more qualified to be President than Hillary Clinton,” said Albright to the crowd of volunteers. “Virginia will make the difference in this election.”
Albright reflected on her time with Hillary Clinton, in the White House and when the two went to the Beijing Women’s Conference in 1995. Without Hillary Clinton’s strong recommendation, Albright says she wouldn’t have been Secretary of State. Albright also reflected on her time campaigning in Northern Virginia for local political elections. One Halloween, Albright said she was going door to door in Fairfax when someone shut their door in her face, explaining later that they thought it was someone wearing an Albright mask. Albright also expressed her fondness for Alexandria, saying that she loved shopping along the waterfront and that the city represents the nation’s living history.
Side rooms were packed with volunteers making calls around the region, so many that the headquarters ran out of stationary phones and had to ask volunteers to use their cellphones.
“This is the first time I’ve donated to a campaign or done anything like this,” said Sue McLaughlin. “I’ve met a lot of interesting people. It’s been fun, but hot.”
This was a popular sentiment among the volunteers.
“The most challenging part has been the weather,” said Jeff Williams, an Alexandria resident recently retired from government work and volunteering for the first time. “It’s been hot. Sometimes it reached 90 degrees when we were out canvassing.”
But Williams said, “I get a thrill from helping out. It’s exciting to connect with other volunteers. It’s made me a stronger person … It’s been positive.”
For others, the 2016 election is the latest volunteer opportunity. Charlene Frink campaigned for Hillary in 2008 at the Ballston headquarters. Frink said she was sad and angry when the Democrats chose Obama over Hillary.
“The big difference this year, the opponent is dangerous and scary,” said Frink. “I think she will prevail... I’ve heard Madeleine Albright speak before. She’s feisty and spirited. I think people will come away determined.”
But if there was anyone concerned about the upcoming election, it was Albright herself. Albright expressed concerns about low voter turnout.
“I’m an optimist who worries a lot,” Albright said. “People think this election will be a landslide so they won’t go out and vote.”
Some of the volunteers who showed up had no idea Albright would be there. Others had come hoping to meet her.
“I’ve never met her before,” said Sheila Wilson. “I want to hear what she has to say about what needs to change in terms of foreign policy.”
“I’d be lying if I said I weren’t here to see Madeleine Albright,” said McKenya Dilworth, a local volunteer. “I hope she will be able to light the fire for people here. After a while campaigning, people feel tired and can get discouraged.”
As the election gets closer, both political parties are hosting meetings and events in Alexandria and Arlington.
On Sept. 5, the Alexandria Democrats will host their annual Labor Day picnic. The next day, Sept. 6, the monthly Alexandria Democratic Committee monthly meeting will be held at the Minnie Howard School auditorium. The next election event is on Sept. 10 with U.S. Rep. Don Beyer’s campaign kickoff event.
The Alexandria Republican City Committee meets on Sept. 1 at Minnie Howard at 7:30 p.m. That same evening, Beyer’s 8th District Republican opponent Charles Hernick is hosting a Pre-Labor Day Party at 2452 S. Monroe St. in Arlington.