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Chauffeur Fan
"Andre's dream for the DNC: to be a volunteer working inside the convention center – anything that would give him access to the Democratic Party's political network."
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By Sophie Simon-Ortiz
 For many young people with political ambitions, landing a big internship is the best way to get your foot in the door. But for 22 year-old Andre Gonzales, it’s about being in the right place at the right time. He moved to Boston from California this summer to volunteer at the Democratic National Convention, and was assigned to be a driver for a party VIP. Youth’s Radio’s Sophie Simon-Ortiz rode around town with Andre on one of his breaks, and has this story.
ANDRE (on tape)
So my whole summer has been about cars. I rent cars to make money, and now I’m driving a car for the DNC.
SOPHIE
Andre is a political guy. At home in Bakersfield, he worked on a campaign to register Latino voters. This summer, he moved to Boston and took a job at a very well known rental car company – we’re NOT allowed to say the name – just so he could be living here when the Dems came to town. He headed straight from a red-eye flight…to an interview with the rental car manager.
ANDRE (on tape)
And then he hired me on the spot, so, I had a job, and I was so thankful because, otherwise, I definitely would have had to fly back home, cause I wouldn’t have been able to afford it.
SOPHIE
At college, advisors told Andre that if he wanted a political career, the first step was a summer internship. Problem was, they meant a volunteer internship. Andre needed to earn money, to pay the bills, and save for tuition.
ANDRE (on tape)
My parents were always able to give us what we needed for bare necessities, but all the extra things here and there, we had to work hard…
SOPHIE
Andre’s dream for the DNC: to be a volunteer working inside the convention center – anything that would give him access to the Democratic Party’s political network. But after attending various volunteer meetings, Andre ended up with a slightly different assignment. He was made the “dedicated driver” for the New Jersey Party Chairwoman Bonnie Coleman.
ANDRE (on tape)
I’ve been driving around the chairwoman everywhere. She has an action-packed day full of lunches, breakfasts, cocktail hours, parties after the convention…(screeching car sound). I’m going to get hit by a bus. See, this is why I hate driving in Boston, they just do what they want….I’ve been harassed more times by people here just driving than in my whole life…
SOPHIE
You’d think all that time in the car would give Andre a decent sense of the city, but he managed to get totally lost shuttling us around during our interview.
ANDRE (on tape)
These rotaries are crazy, I don’t know when I’m supposed to go in. Here we go.
SOPHIE
Andre made sure never to get turned around while on duty with Chairwoman Coleman.
ANDRE (on tape)
I think it’s really the fear factor that gets me where I need to go. While she’s busy at her functions, I map out where I’m going. So I actually drive to the location while she’s in a meeting, so I basically drive to the location twice so I don’t get lost.
SOPHIE
Andre was initially disappointed by his chauffeur assignment, but his luck eventually turned—thanks to a hot pink tie.
ANDRE (on tape)
I was at Fanueil Hall… and this little woman comes up to me and compliments my tie, and we started a conversation.
SOPHIE
One thing led to another, and pretty soon the woman was offering Andre her credential to get into the convention hall.
ANDRE (on tape)
I was really excited. I couldn’t really talk. I really really wanted to be in there. First thing I had to do is call my parents, and tell them where I was. They were very happy for me.
SOPHIE
So Andre got inside after all. But now, he’s decided maybe it’s not where he wants to stay—at least not yet. He came to the convention dreaming of a job in a political office. Now, he’s thinking the Peace Corps.
ANDRE (on tape)
Because I know … the challenges we fight and face in politics will always be there.
SOPHIE
Andre says being at the convention has taught him that it’s not all about the insider politics –he’s realized that serving his community directly can be another important way to make effective change.
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