Today in Politics: Yaroshefsky '12 endorses Princeton Charter Club

In his first major endorsement as USG President, Michael Yaroshefsky '12 emailed the student body today to express his strong support for the Princeton Charter Club.The announcement appeared at the bottom of a seemingly unrelated communication announcing a new student life survey.  Somewhat curiously, Yaroshefsky's endorsement was written in invisible ink, and only became visible after this reporter highlighted the entire field of text:What, you may ask, is this organization with which Yaroshefsky has so emphatically cast his lot?  According to its official website, Charter, one of Princeton University's ten storied "Eating Clubs," is "a place to relax and be among friends; it is clean and comfortable; it provides good food and a pleasant social atmosphere."In the past, USG executives have often shied away from such formal (and emphatic) endorsements.  Last year, a political scandal erupted after then-President Josh Weinstein '09 incorrectly implied in an email that President-elect Connor Diemand-Yauman '10 supported Vice Presidential candidate Mike Weinberg '11 in Weinberg's race against Nick DiBerardino '11.It's currently unclear whether today's endorsement will provoke a similar firestorm. Charter claims over 250 student members on campus, a sizable political constituency.  Others at Princeton, however, may feel that clubs like Charter contribute to socioeconomic stratification on campus; in 2009 campus newspaper The Daily Princetonian reported that Charter charges member $7325 yearly for use of its dining and recreational facilities.  And it's anyone's guess how members of other establishments on Princeton's so-called "Street" will feel about Yaroshefsky's now quite open pro-Charter partisanship.Still, the political world loves nothing more than a satisfying comeback story.  And the new alliance of power-player Yaroshefsky and a resurgent Charter -- which just two years ago found itself on trial for serving alcohol to minors -- might provide the sort of feel-good redemption arc that can entice the press and public like so much catnip.Was this a genius maneuver on Yaroshefsky's part, or will the endorsement prove to be a career-ending gaffe as the whiz-kid pol prepares to launch his 2011 reelection campaign?  Only time will tell.