Schmidt says the College Dems are now focused on carrying the policy goals of the election beyond the Kerry defeat.

“We’ve done a lot with the marriage equality issue in Massachusetts,” he says, referring to the struggle over same-sex marriage. The Dems organized regional canvasses this spring, urging residents to lobby their local lawmakers on the issue.

College Republicans say they’re now lining up behind the president, promoting his policy on the ground as best they can.

“We’re all something of foot soldiers, working to advance the president’s agenda,” Downer says. “We’re trying to really hammer home the way it impacts our generation.”

While campus leaders say they have a passion for politics, some won’t be headed to Washington immediately after graduation. Silvestri will attend medical school in the fall, though he says he may return to politics in the future.

Frank, an environmental science and public policy concentrator, starts work this summer at an environmental business firm.

“I was lucky to be involved when it was very exciting,” Frank says, reflecting on the campaign. “Maybe I got a little spoiled. But it’s going to be tough for a couple years, especially Democratic politics.”

He pauses a moment. “I love politics but I don’t necessarily love the campaign process because it can be very frustrating and stressful at times,” he says.

What was his favorite part of the campaign?

“When I thought that we’d won,” he says with a laugh.

—Jessica R. Rubin-Wills and Faryl Ury contributed to the reporting of this story.

—Staff writer Michael M. Grynbaum can be reached at grynbaum@fas.harvard.edu.