Former RI campaign director for Pres. Barack Obama offers advice for aspiring politicians, journalists
Hillary Brady
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: News
"I had covered politics and government, but never saw myself working in it," Sullivan said. Despite reluctance, he accepted the position. Just 45 minutes later, Sullivan was speaking at his first press conference.
"There was no, 'Hey, this is Ray!' It was literally, show up and do the work. I didn't know what to do. If anyone reads the transcript of what I said that day, they know," he joked.
Sullivan first ran for office when he was 26-years-old, and is now serving his third term as the Democratic representative from Coventry.
As a young politician, Sullivan often had to work to get his voice heard. "As a young person, when you walk into a room with people who have been there, it's a battle," he said. "Even at 32, it is."
During 2008's presidential race, Sullivan decided to throw his support behind Obama during his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.
"For someone like me, who has worked in the system, you're jaded to a degree," Sullivan said. However, during Obama's speech, he recalls staring at his television, captivated by the message of wanting to "fundamentally change America."
"I thought, 'I don't care whether he wins or loses. I just want to help, whether anything comes of it, that's for the electorate to decide," he said.
While he initially pictured his role in the campaign as being a smaller volunteer, Sullivan was approached to run Rhode Island's effort to support the Obama campaign.
This opportunity, however, took place during Sullivan's own reelection. This meant that he had to sacrifice his own campaigning on Obama's behalf-a choice he was willing to make.
"If I lost my own election to support someone I thought would make America better, I could live with that sacrifice," Sullivan said.
Sullivan became the state director for the Obama campaign, working with the national grassroots program to help reach undecided voters.
"He was willing to get on board with that campaign before others were willing to get on board," Robert Beagle, vice president for University Advacement, said. "He has become known as a risk taker."
"There was no, 'Hey, this is Ray!' It was literally, show up and do the work. I didn't know what to do. If anyone reads the transcript of what I said that day, they know," he joked.
Sullivan first ran for office when he was 26-years-old, and is now serving his third term as the Democratic representative from Coventry.
As a young politician, Sullivan often had to work to get his voice heard. "As a young person, when you walk into a room with people who have been there, it's a battle," he said. "Even at 32, it is."
During 2008's presidential race, Sullivan decided to throw his support behind Obama during his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.
"For someone like me, who has worked in the system, you're jaded to a degree," Sullivan said. However, during Obama's speech, he recalls staring at his television, captivated by the message of wanting to "fundamentally change America."
"I thought, 'I don't care whether he wins or loses. I just want to help, whether anything comes of it, that's for the electorate to decide," he said.
While he initially pictured his role in the campaign as being a smaller volunteer, Sullivan was approached to run Rhode Island's effort to support the Obama campaign.
This opportunity, however, took place during Sullivan's own reelection. This meant that he had to sacrifice his own campaigning on Obama's behalf-a choice he was willing to make.
"If I lost my own election to support someone I thought would make America better, I could live with that sacrifice," Sullivan said.
Sullivan became the state director for the Obama campaign, working with the national grassroots program to help reach undecided voters.
"He was willing to get on board with that campaign before others were willing to get on board," Robert Beagle, vice president for University Advacement, said. "He has become known as a risk taker."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Bob Looby
posted 4/07/09 @ 8:05 PM EST
I found the artical on Sullivan very informative, I am a Coventry resident and voter. As far as I knew Ray was just another unemployed person who wanted to get into legislative world , I had read his "campaign literature" and it seemed empty, aparently I was wrong(again). (Continued…)
Bob Looby
posted 4/07/09 @ 8:20 PM EST
I found the artical on Sullivan very informative, I am a Coventry resident and voter. As far as I knew Ray was just another unemployed person who wanted to get into legislative world , I had read his "campaign literature" and it seemed empty, aparently I was wrong(again). (Continued…)
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