September 30, 2010

Contact:   Bill Giduz

Paul Ream '12

A Davidson student had the opportunity to quiz President Barack Obama -- sort of -- about the lack of grace in contemporary politics at the President's "backyard conversation" in Richmond on Wednesday.

Paul Ream '12, a political science major, would dearly have loved to have been one of the guests at the Southampton Recreation Association. In fact, Paul canvassed and worked for Obama in 2008. Moreover, Paul has worked as both a lifeguard and assistant swim coach at that very rec center for the past six summers.

Instead, Paul was in Madrid, Spain, where he's studying abroad this semester. Doing the best he could given the distance, Paul passed along a question to his parents, Dan Ream and Lucretia McCulley, and Dan was able to ask it on his son's behalf during the question and answer period.

Paul's question to the President was: "In the public discussion of the economic crisis, and in the nation's political discourse in general, I feel like Democrats have lost hold of the populist attitude and rhetoric that truly embody the party's foundations. Our swim team community here at Southampton provides a wonderful example of that attitude - like politics, it's a sport that focuses on individual performance, but what leads to success is a team-oriented, sportsmanlike approach. Respect for each other, and respect for one's opponents are key to this success, and I think those are important elements of the Democratic party."

"With that in mind, what are the ways we can change the dialogue to really emphasize this? Doing what's best for the people is not characterized by doing what's best for some individuals at the cost of others, which is the interpretation of some citizens today. Especially with regard to the economy, how can we reframe the debate, and really highlight the respectful and ‘sportsmanlike' nature of policies directed at benefitting the American people as a whole?"

To read the President's response, access the event transcript and search the copy for the word "Davidson."

Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for 1,800 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C. Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aid packages, giving all students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Davidson competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding Honor Code is central to student life at the college.
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