SFP Editor: How did you first become interested in politics?
Paul: When I was five years old, my parents took me in the voting booth and I helped them "cast" their ballot for President Jimmy Carter. Later as I learned to read, I would read everything possible on the Presidents and politics. I guess you could say that it has always been in my blood.

SFP Editor: Do you have any political heroes you admire? Or recommendations for current public officials?
Paul: I have two political heroes: Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr. Both men believed in a cause so strongly that they sacrificed much in order to for it to become a reality. We are all much better for what they have achieved.

In answer to your second question, I would recommend that our current public officials go to their study and re-read the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Almost every single day, the rights that we have taken for granted -- those that our forefathers fought and died for-- are being trampled underfoot in the interests of "security." As Ben Franklin once said, "Those who would sacrifice freedom for a little security deserve neither." We do not win the battle by cowering in fear -- we win it by standing tall with our beliefs unfettered and exposed to the light of day.

That means, respecting our judicial system -- so that every American citizen has the same right to a fair and impartial trial -- not held incommunicado without benefit of council because the government declares him an "enemy combatant." It means listening to, and addressing legitimate domestic and international grievances -- not squelching dissent by calling it "unpatriotic." Indeed, it is our right and our responsibility to speak up when we witness something unjust, because the price of democracy is eternal vigilance. The current administration is proposing a secret court, which can effectively strip an individual of all rights-- including the right to see the evidence the government has collected to make the determination. We saw these same actions forty-five years ago when Senator McCarthy tried to ferret out Communists. How long will it be until we have government investigating political opponents? Unless we all stand and say 'no more,' we risk traveling down that same path.

SFP Editor: Describe your experience running for public office.
Paul: Running for public office has often been described as the "Candidate weight loss program" (I need to make a button: "Ask me how I lost 15 lbs in 4 months...") The days are long, the road dusty, and your wife begins to file missing persons reports-- but at the end of the day it is about making the difference in people's lives. Some days it could be as simple as giving an elderly widow a phone number to make a call to the VA to have them initiate benefits, others, it is about listening to a young teenage mother on welfare asking how she can make a better life for her child than the one she has. To me, running for office is all about public service -- and improving the lives of those around us every single day.

SFP Editor: What do you hope to achieve in this position?
Paul: Before I answer this question, I need to take a step back and describe the role of my elected office at Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, which is different than most elected offices. Simply put, our "objective" is to find and recruit qualified candidates for higher office, through party-building, fundraising and developing ideas and strategies that our candidates can use to win their own elections. We do most of the behind-the-scenes work to ensure that our candidates are competitive by setting the rules and policies that determine the direction of the party for the next four years. The day-to day stuff, we do never makes the newspapers -- but is essential for a strong and vibrant Democratic Party.

That being said, in this role, I hope to be a person who can continue to modernize the Democratic Party, bringing new ideas and solutions to the table so that our legislators can implement the policies that improve the quality of all of our lives.

SFP Editor: What are your political aspirations?
Paul: Eventually I would like to become a legislator in my own right, so that we may continue to address the problems that affect us all -- and bring new solutions to the table. The answers are out there-- we just need to be listening correctly to hear them, and courageous enough to act upon them.

SFP Editor: Are you from the DC area? If not, what brought you here?
Paul: I like to say that I have lived in Montgomery County all my life -- in fact I liked it so much I lived in it across two states-- both Pennsylvania and Maryland. I was born in Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia and moved down here about 8 years ago after college. I planted roots here because I wanted to be near where the political decisions are made-- and to be a part of it.

SFP Editor: So, what is it like being a White House intern? (Ok I had to ask that)
Paul: One of the greatest political honors of my life was being chosen out of hundreds of applicants to work on policy issues for the Domestic Policy Council at the White House. It gave me a chance to see first-hand how the decisions were made, and to contribute a small part to implementing them.

Every day was an adventure. You would turn the corner and bump into a person who you had seen on TV the day before talking about current policy issues. Occasionally, you would be asked to sit in on high-level meetings where you had helped prepare briefing materials. Most importantly, you feel the awe, admiration and humbling respect for your part in making this country the greatest in the world.

Of all of the political events in my life, I credit my experiences at the White House for giving me the drive and desire to commit my life to public service as an elected official. I would highly recommend that any young person interested in politics try to become a White House Intern. It is an experience you will remember for the rest of your lives.

SFP Editor: What are your predictions for the next presidential election?
Paul: It is far too soon to say at this moment. Remember, at this time in the First President Bush's term, he was cruising at 90% approval and looked unbeatable. So many things can happen between now and then that can completely change the face of the election. What I will say, though, is that a Democratic candidate who has the courage to take a stand on his (or her) convictions and make a convincing case for how to improve our Quality of Life will be able to effectively challenge the current occupant of the White House.

SFP Editor: Has the Internet changed the world or politics? If so, how?
Paul: The Internet has truly revolutionized how information is disseminated-- both in the world at large, and in politics in particular. It is now easier than ever to get information out to the public quickly and effectively through the use of websites, email, discussion forums, etc. I have seen entire political issue campaigns be conceived, fleshed out and implemented in the span of days -- when previously it would take weeks or months at a considerably higher cost.

The good news about the Internet is it has given a new flavor to participatory democracy and has allowed many different groups to have an active say in the policies that our government implements. The bad news, is that there are so many competing voices that they often cancel each other out-- leaving those with the most funds or most access to traditional media outlets the ones whose voice is heard above the fray. Indeed, this was the most expensive political season ever-- because candidates had to blanket the airwaves to ensure their voice was heard over their opponents. Organizations who can join together with multiple groups sharing common goals can maximize their resources much more effectively than those who attempt to go it alone in today's information economy.