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Show >NAL CONVENTION www.dailyutohchronicle.com Jowers balances GOP ties, work at Hinckley Institute Isabella Bravo his days running one of the top political internship programs in the country at the Hinckley Institute. His resume reveals an impressive Hinckley Institute of Politics Dilegal background working for nonrector Kirk Jowers will be pitching in for the Republican presidential profits, corporations and his highest profile client, the Republican Party. campaign this election season, but Although Jowers backed Mitt will continue to devote most of his time to a burgeoning internship and Romney for president in the primary election, he has a history with Sen. forum program at the U. Jowers, a U and John McCain, R-Ariz. He worked as Harvard Law outside legal counsel on the McCain graduate, campaign in 2000. spends "I really respect John McCain," he said. "He's not someone who puts party over country. He's fought against corruption in D.C. It was a little hard to work for Romney, but I've known Romney since 1994 and I think he's the most brilliant person I've ever met." Jowers' work for the Republican Party has included advising as the general counsel for the Republican Party in Washington D.C. and aiding more than 25 national and local candidates in 2002. He also helped President George W. Bush in the 2000 election during the Florida recount. As a strong McCain supporter, Jowers said he did not initially feel comfortable helping Bush. "I resisted for a while," he said. "But at the time, I thought, he would be a better president than Al Gore." He took a break from the campaign front lines in 2004, because his private practice at Caplin & Drysdale, a D.C.-based law firm, compromised his legal advice. He decided against counseling Bush, the Republican incumbent in 2004. "In conjunction with my private practice, I've worked for non-profits that took aim at both STAFF WRITER candidates (that year)," Jowers said. Jowers, who runs the Utah Lawyers for McCain group, said his service to McCain has been limited this year. "My colleague of 11 years (another partner at Caplin & Drysdale) is the general counsel for McCain—I was a Romney guy," he said. "For a good portion of the campaign I didn't do any work for McCain. So far I haven't billed a single minute for McCain." Jowers' political experience has grown out of his no-table-educaLENNIE MAHLER'IhtD-j:!yU!chChtcn!df tion and private practice career. He graduated from Harvard Univer- Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Kirk Jowers has worked with politicians such as Mitt Romney, sity's School of Law and spent 13 George W. Bush and John McCain. One of Jowers' main goals is to get young people involved and years on the East Coast practicing excited about politics. political law. Jowers spends four days of the party politics and the balanced na- scholarships averaging $5,000 per month in Washington, and the rest ture of academics. He said although intern to help with expenses while with his family and the U. he would not work for a Democratic abroad. "The Hinckley by far demands candidate, he would help students With Jowers at the helm, the most of my time," he said. get internships with Democrats. Hinckley Institute has not only Because of his position at the McBeth said they have had sev- added an international component, Hinckley Institute, Jowers has to eral students work on the Romney but has increased the diversity of balance his political activity. pre-election campaign and one stu- interns, the number of forums and "On the national level, I've been dent is now working on the National forum attendance. Of the 300 stuquite engaged," he said. "On the Obama Campaign. She said there dent interns last year, just 75 were state and local level, I've tried to not are several former Hinckley interns political science majors. Jowers set be very active. I've never endorsed a working as full-time paid employ- a standard of 70 forums per year, an state or local candidate." ees on both the Obama and McCain increase from 30 under the previous Courtney McBeth, who manages campaigns this year. director. the institute's national and interJowers' political activity reflects "I see him as a mentor," said Marko national internship program, has his vision for the Hinckley Institute. Mijic, the Hinckley Institute Student known Jowers for eight years and "The biggest change is the inter- Alliance president and a senior in began working with him after re- national focus," he said. "My pre- behavioral science and health. "He ceiving a $1 million grant to study decessor (Ted Wilson) was, for 18 has a strong vision." campaign finance reform. years, the mayor of Salt Lake City; Mijic said a Hinckley internship "His partisan politics plays in per- he had a strong state and local focus. last summer in the U.S. Departfectly to his work at the Hinckley," I think my focus is more national ment of Health and Human Services McBeth said of Jowers' Republican and international." helped him to realize the dire straits experience. "We're all about enThe Hinckley Institute has of the current health care system. couraging students to get engaged placed more than 100 students He attributes his decision to pursue no matter their political opinion or in 25 different countries since it a master's degree in public policy to background. For students, he repre- established an international in- this experience and Jowers' leadersents a really down-to-earth, young, ternship program in 2006 under ship. "He has helped me to see what hip face to politics. He does an amaz- Jowers' direction. To ensure that I want to do in the future," Mijic ing job of getting students of all dif- international internships are ac- said. ferent stripes to get engaged." cessible to students, the Hinckley i.bravo@ Jowers walks a fine line between has given more than $200,000 in chronicle.utah.edu Hurricane Gustav forces delegates to play waiting game in St. Paul Jed Layton HINCKLEY INSTITUTE JOURNALISM PROCRAM ST. PAUL, MINN.—As a spokesperson for Sen. John McCain's campaign talked to TV cameras and reporters on national television Sunday afternoon, caterer Maxine Turner, of Salt Lake City, talked to her employees at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Their message was the same: activities were being suspended at the Republican National Convention. The trays of canapes Turner's staff was busy preparing wouldn't be needed Monday, the opening day of the GOP festivities. Speeches by highprofile Republicans, such as President George W. Bush, were cancelled and party plans ground to a halt as Hurricane Gustav zeroed in on New Orleans. For a while, it was business as usual on Sunday as delegates checked into hotels, boarded shuttles and headed to pre-convention parties. In late afternoon, news of the decision many had been dreading began trickling down. Reporters were often the first to deliver the news that McCain had radically changed the RNC agenda. The hoopla was replaced by a "business-only" program, devoid of the usual fiery political rhetoric and parties. "Now is the time to take off our Republican hats and put on our America hats," a somber McCain told his supporters via satellite from St. 1 Louis, Mo., where he had been campaigning. Juventas, a performing arts Delegates and others in the youth circus school in St. Paul. Twin Cities had a mixed reac- As they nibbled pesto penne, tion. chicken fajitas and mushroomWhile many were surprised stuffed ravioli, young trapeze to learn of the dramatic chang- artists swung from ropes high es in their convention, they above. Until reporters told them also were sad to hear of the po- the news, many of the delegates tential disaster heading for the did not know of the change in Louisiana coast where millions plans. have been evacuated. Sarah Minear, a former senaTurner was in charge of tor from West Virginia, quickfood and hospitality for all ly realized the importance of those scheduled to appear on the situation when she was inthe stage during the conven- formed of McCain's decision. tion. On Monday, that would "This is a time of disaster for have included President Bush, the southern part of our counVice President Dick Cheney try," she said. "While we are and California Governor Ar- here, we don't see it." nold Schwarzenegger. During Other delegates felt that alan interview Sunday afternoon. though the situation was bad, it Turner said the food would go was an opportunity for McCato staffers and others on duty in to shine. West Virginia delinside the Xcel Center. egate Kevin Noe said McCain's Despite the disappointment, decision showed that he was most of those interviewed Sun- above politics. day agreed with McCain's deci"A commander in chief must sion. take charge and this shows A block away from the Xcel what the Republican Party is Center, Utah Governor Jon all about," he said. Huntsman Jr. walked with his As nightfall slipped over the wife and staff members amid a Twin Cities skyline, TVs in hoswarm of admirers. Huntsman tels were tuned to news nettold reporters he already had works to get the latest informaheard of the suspension. tion—two million flee the Gulf "It is in the tradition of John Coast; only 10,000 residents left McCain to put country first," in New Orleans, a ghost town. Huntsman said. "This is an ex- National Guard forces prepare tension of who John McCain is: to for Hurricane Gustav's impact. take care of those who suffer." No one knew what to expect Matthew Wallace, a 20-year- on Monday, only what not to exold delegate from Shreveport, pect: no political rallies, no parLa., felt the emotional impact as ties, no high-profile speakers. he heard the convention activij.layton@chronicle.utah.edu ties were suspended because of a hurricane heading toward his E. Thomas Nelson, home state. As one of the youngChristine Angstman, est delegates at the convention, Hua Qi, Leslie Heath he put on a brave face. and Zhang Yan "The delegates are mindful contributed to this story. about the hurricane but they have a job to do here," Wallace Editor's Note—Jed Layton is said. "We have to name the can- reporting from the Republican didates for president and vice National Convention in St. Paul, president of the United States." Minn, through the Hinckley InEarlier Sunday afternoon, stitute of Politics and Shant'ou delegates from West Virginia University Political Journalism shared a lunch at the Circus Program. v |
