The Adventures of Andrew Lee

31 March 2006

Congress Simulation 2006

Posted by Andrew under: College .

I just completed my Congress simulation. I successfully played the role of Senator Jon Kyl achieving his goals of an almost full repeal of the estate tax and a full repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Here’s what Caroline An of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (3/31/06) had to say about it:

And while the scenes were real, the location was far from the stately confines of the U.S. Capitol. The committee conducted its business in Roberts Hall 104, a small classroom on the Claremont McKenna College campus…

The students take the exercise seriously, and spend hours researching their roles online as well as watching hours of C-SPAN hoping for a glimpse of the person they are going to pose as…

Because of the stressful environment, it also tests students’ grace under pressure and ability to deal with conflict, Menefee-Libey said.

“It gives them a real sense of how they do in a political setting and how they tolerate in the face of conflict,” he said.

Nevertheless, the simulation showed that a battle of egos is not a battle of wits. As the last days rolled on, the atmosphere became tough as people became tired, stressed, and postured with every last ounce of strength. I can see why legislation takes forever to be considered (as the Senate Pro Tempore, I could at least see that!). Politics is rough and really brings out some of the best and worst in people.

I do, however, consider this to be a learning experience. Hopefully, wherever I go, I will be pragmatic, but also respectful of dissenting opinion. So that means, I would behave better in real life.

Here’s the article in its entirety:

Students pose as political figures

By Caroline An, Staff Writer

CLAREMONT - Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, held a session Wednesday to pass seven resolutions that the committee hoped to get on the Senate floor Thursday.

The real Lugar didn’t hold the meeting, though. Instead, that role was played by Claremont McKenna College student Austan Mogharabi.

And while the scenes were real, the location was far from the stately confines of the U.S. Capitol. The committee conducted its business in Roberts Hall 104, a small classroom on the Claremont McKenna College campus.

Students enrolled in three political science classes at Pomona, Pitzer and Claremont McKenna colleges take part in the congressional simulation, giving them a chance to role-play as a senator or as the president.

The program started at CMC nearly 30 years ago and is now under the guidance of professors Jack Pitney at CMC, David Menefee-Libey at Pomona and Dana Ward at Pitzer.

Three committees — judiciary, finance and foreign relation — debate and pass a number of resolutions. The final day’s activity is the floor session, when one bill from each committee must be passed.

The benefits to the students extend to all areas, Pitney said. It is also an experience that most students remember after they graduate.

“They get first-hand experience with bargaining, which extends to all kinds of activities — not just politics,” he adds.

Because of the stressful environment, it also tests students’ grace under pressure and ability to deal with conflict, Menefee-Libey said.

“It gives them a real sense of how they do in a political setting and how they tolerate in the face of conflict,” he said.

The students take the exercise seriously, and spend hours researching their roles online as well as watching hours of C-SPAN hoping for a glimpse of the person they are going to pose as.

CMC student Spencer Hayes, who played Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, chairman of the finance committee, watched C-SPAN to observe Grassley’s mannerisms and language, but got some extra information as well.

“I also found out that Grassley was friends with the ranking minority leader, Sen. Max Baucus,” Hayes said. “Some senators in the class think I’m too soft on him.”

Across the courtyard, the Bush White House was also burning the midnight oil. With music blasting in the background, a tub of licorice and a jar of trail mix, the president was drafting a statement for his adviser to relay to the finance committee, and scheduling a press conference for the next day.

Throughout the night, one man leisurely strolled in and out of the committee rooms.

“I feel like money,” said President George W. Bush, played by Pitzer College sophomore Matt Kane. Kane quickly adds that he’s been briefed by his advisers about the committee meetings and has been busy meeting with lobbyists too.

“I’ll be here ’til the end of the night,” he said.

Caroline An can be reached by e-mail at caroline.an@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-8553.