La Salle Student Goes to Washington!
Wrightstown Resident Chris Caimano Interns at the White House

"They give you a modified gas mask that you keep in you desk," Chris Caimano said as he described his first day interning at the White House last fall. The La Salle University senior also wore “high-tech" badges that had to be scanned and coded.

A resident of Wrightstown and graduate of Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem, Caimano found himself in Washington D.C. in the Executive Office Building, located next to the White House, where he was one of four interns. He and other interns met with President George W. Bush for 45 minutes.

Caimano worked in the Office of Legal Counsel from September to December. At first, he was asked "to help out wherever you can," but he was soon taking part in routine office business. He found himself "vetting," or researching, judicial hopefuls and tracked hearings on Capitol Hill.

The fast pace of Washington was something new to Caimano. His 65-hour work week was long, but Caimano he became accustomed to it, and came to enjoy the hectic, professional world. "Everyday is like an exam," he said, "until you get used to it."

Caimano describes his opportunity in Washington D.C., "the epicenter of politics," in his own terms; "Like being at the Masters and being a big golf fan."

This was not Caimano’s first time working in the political field: during the spring of 2006, Caimano joined the campaign staff of U.S. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick. Although the congressman lost the election, Caimano learned from his experience. And both Congressman Fitzpatrick and Senator Rick Santorum, whom Caimano met while working on the congressman’s campaign, personally wrote letters of recommendation for Caimano to help him receive the White House internship.

At La Salle, Caimano’s is a member of the judicial board and belongs to the University’s College Republicans group. A double major in history and political science, Caimano is considering law school after graduation this spring.

While politics is very important to Caimano, he sees being well-rounded as a very important quality. "Chris is very good at juggling and balancing his class work with his other interests," explained Dr. Stuart Leibiger, Chair of the History Department, who has taught Caimano in three courses.

Caimano is the captain of La Salle’s golf team, and even competed in a NCAA- sanctioned event while working in Washington. "Politics is great, it’s exciting," he says, "but you can’t do it 24/7."

-- Jennifer Portante