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News & ArtsThursday, November 17, 2011
Election What Have You Got Against Interns, Andrew Hughes?
Posted by Unpaid Intern on Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 2:49 PM
Posted by news intern Marley Zeno
- Andrew Hughes: Perhaps a potato, perhaps a potahto.
Andrew Hughes is one of six Democratic candidates who have jumped into the race for the open U.S. House seat in Washington's 1st District. Never heard of the guy? Well, that's because he's a minor candidate in a major race.
Even so, there's already been some dispute over his qualifications.
Hughes's web site claims the following:
"Andrew’s dedication to community and public service includes working for the Washington State Senate’s Energy, Transportation, and Telecommunications Committee on environmental and energy related issues."
According to the Seattle Times, Publicola, and other sources, however, Hughes's work with the committee was actually a summer internship.
The other day I asked Hughes whether he was an employee or an intern for the committee—and he was rather squirrelly. Already acting like a politician, Hughes would neither confirm not deny that he was an intern. "In my opinion, it's a job" Hughes told me. It was a job, he explained, because he commuted several hours each day, worked for the head of the committee, and received a per diem. (Which is way more than the nothing I get from The Stranger, Mr. Hughes, and you don't see me dodging my intern title!)
When I pressed him on whether his work for the committee was a "job" or an "internship," Hughes's response was simply: "Potato, potahto."
Here's the next question I'd like to ask Hughes, who hasn't yet returned my latest call: What's the shame in admitting you were an intern? Especially a paid intern! It's not like the experience you gain is invalid without a salary and benefits.
Personally, I don't think Hughes would have received any backlash for saying he was an intern. But he probably will for refusing to admit it.
1
You know, right now they're arresting MSM reporters in NYC and DC.
You'll be next - #AndThenBoehnerCried tears of joy.
You'll be next - #AndThenBoehnerCried tears of joy.
3
Oh God...I just watched his video on his website and it just reeks of douchebaggery.
He maybe a Democrat but...eewwwww
He maybe a Democrat but...eewwwww
6
Regardless of whether it was a job or an internship (or the merits of his candidacy), isn't it still work?
8
"potato potahto".... Oh, I get it, he's saying that "Job" and "internship" are two ways of pronouncing the same word. Either that or he's saying "let's call the whole thing off".
9
@8: It's better than that. The quote is that he ".. WORK[ED] FOR ..." (emphasis added), not that he was an "employee". And even then it's a false distinction: an intern, by the common definition, is one who does supervised work for their employer.
This is a slimy and disingenuous attempt at political assassination.
Shame on you, Marley.
This is a slimy and disingenuous attempt at political assassination.
Shame on you, Marley.
10
I have nothing against Hughes (don't know a thing about the guy), but why is he trying to avoid the status of intern? I'd think it is a positive point, that he decided to work as a low-paid grunt for something worthwhile, in the way "volunteer" status can be positive.
12
Of course, we don't need to discuss his impeccable liberal platform (nor his liberal use of exclamation points).
13
If Tracy Flick were a guy, this is the photo she would take to announce she just passed the bar exam. I'm a lawyer, and it makes me want to punch him.
14
What @9 and @11 said. Who gives a fuck about whether it was a "job" or an "internship." He said he "worked" for the Committee. Maybe the Stranger should start paying its intern so s/he will be inspired to commit journalism instead of venting about the chip on his/her shoulder.
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