Looking down at the cheering crowds after completing his keynote address, Harry S. Truman announced, "This is a real convention, and I ought to know because I've been looking at them since 1912." More than any other statement, Truman's words reflect the public opinion that surrounds Washington and Lee University's Mock Convention - a quadrennial tradition in which student delegates attempt to predict the presidential nominee of the political party currently out of the White House.
This year's 2000 Republican Mock Convention will be held on the W&L campus in Lexington, Va., from Jan. 28-29.
Billed as the nation's most accurate mock convention since its inception in 1908, W&L's convention has had 16 correct predictions in 21 attempts. In the last 12 Mock Conventions, the students have been correct 11 times - an amazing 92 percent prediction rate. For consistent accurarcy - and eye filling opulance (W&L students will administer a budget of nearly $300,000) - the Mock Convention simply has no peer.
In a time when America's youth has been dubbed disengaged, unmotivated and apathetic, the Mock Convention of Washington and Lee University contradicts these generalizations. When asked the reason for their uncanny accuracy, W&L students declare one word alone - research. Indeed, it is this precise research and diligent organization that enables the student body to overflow with enthusiasm right up to the closing convention gavel. Such youthful enthusiasm and dedication has not gone unnoticed.
The W&L Mock Convention attracts influential political personalities for this "racous realism." Past speakers have included William Jennings Bryan, Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
For additional information contact:
Brian Shaw, Director of Communications (540) 463-8459 [email protected]
Brian Logue, Associate News Director (540) 463-8955 [email protected]
Sean Eddy, Mock Convention Media Chair (540) 462-4057
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