Homework: Beth Bernard questions

Date assigned
Friday, Oct. 24


Assignment
Write 5 questions for campaign strategist Beth Bernard.  Here is her professional bio:

She hails from the great state of South Dakota where she attended South Dakota State University, home of the jackrabbits.  As the youngest of five children, she surprised her aging Catholic parents and graduated in 4 years with a degree in journalism and political science.  As is the dream of every little girl from South Dakota, she packed her bags and moved to Washington, DC where she landed a job with newly elected US Senator Tom Daschle.  While I am sure you are all impressed, the qualifications for landing this position were the applicant needed to be a native South Dakotan with a 4 year degree willing to live in DC—not a lot of competition or skills necessary.  Bernard was a perfect fit! 

After 2 ½ years slaving under the direction of Daschle Chief of Staff Pete Rouse, Bernard followed the popcorn and moved to Iowa as the in-state finance director for Senator Tom Harkin.  Politics was now in her blood and there was no turning back.  She worked for the Iowa Democratic Party and then jumped on the short lived, yet always entertaining, Harkin presidential bandwagon.   With all the good political operatives working for Clinton, Bernard got the opportunity of a lifetime---especially for a 27 year old female--- to run a race for Congress---Lynn Schenk in San Diego.  After a couple more congressional races under her belt: Elaine Baxter in Iowa and Barbara Shipnook in Monterey, Bernard moved back to DC to raise money for Senator Ted Kennedy. 

Her political career culminated running two US Senate races: Ann Wynia in Minnesota (which is where she met then intern Lindsay Roitman) and Tom Bruggere in Oregon as well as raising national money for Senator Paul Wellstone and serving as Congresswoman Hooley’s District Director.

As ED of OTLA, Bernard has had the dubious distinction of being part of a team who defeated 3, yes count them 3,  horrible ballot measures that would have severely limited Oregonians’ access to justice and made Texas look like a litigation utopia. 

Due date

Wednesday, Oct. 29