The More the Merrier

Posted by: Nicole Staricek

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As the most historic inauguration in American history nears, one of the most discussed issues is the number of people this event will bring. Everyone from NPR to the Washingtonian has predicted as many as 4 million people are planning to attend. Not only does this bring issues of security and lodging, but also an issue of securing tickets (something I’m battling with right now).

I’ve heard on the news that the Secret Service is preparing for high-reaching security, including thousands of video cameras, snipers, and air patrols. Any of us hoping to attend the parade can expect to be searched by machines, security personnel, or both.

Finding a place to stay is going to be pretty tough if you haven’t already booked a place. Another inauguration goer and I were discussing the crowds and came across some alarming news that really put it in perspective for us—if everyone attending the inauguration decided to stay overnight in DC, there would have to be 33 people in every single hotel room! We reserved our rooms with The Washington Center back in early November and just received notice that an extra air mattress would be put in each of the rooms to accommodate even more students. Last I heard, 750 students were attending and 500 were still on a waiting list. I’m not sure how many more will be accepted, but I draw the line at two air mattresses per room.

Lastly, a concern for many is the ability to secure tickets for the many events surrounding the inauguration. A variety of the balls are already sold out and some of those tickets were costing in the hundreds. A struggle that many of the students at Juniata are facing is trying to find tickets for the Swearing-In Ceremony. Fortunately those tickets are free, but you have to know the right people (state representatives, law makers, etc.) if you have any hopes of getting your hands on a few tickets. I have my name on two different waiting lists and if those fall through, I’m relying on other students to find the goodness in their heart and share any extras with me.

Even if I have to undergo numerous security searches, sleep in a room with 2 beds and 4 air mattresses, and even if I end up not getting tickets for the Swearing-In Ceremony, I’m still excited at the thought of sharing this great moment in history with millions of other people. The way I see it, the more the merrier.

Wasting Money?

Posted by: Dennis Plane

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Obama’s inauguration will be expensive–and I’m not talking about the price of scalped tickets (which, by the way, haven’t even been printed yet).  If someone were to add up all the costs, I’m sure it would surpass $100 million.  That includes costs for hosting the parties, security, crowd management, and travel costs for the record-shattering number of people expected to show up for the largest pep rally in the history of the United States.  These costs will dwarf those associated with the actual building of the stage on the Mall side of the Capitol. 

One of my friends recently questioned Obama’s priorities for hosting such an expensive get-together when the county is in financial turmoil.  “Wouldn’t the money be better spent on helping the economy recover, providing health care for the uninsured, or extending unemployment benefits,” she asked.  Well, perhaps.  But it’s also important to celebrate big victories.  And I don’t just mean Obama’s victory over John McCain.  I mean the victory of having more Americans vote than at any time in the past 100 years; the victory of a record number of Americans contributing to the campaigns; the victory of having increased turnout among the youth and minorities; the victory of white Americans voting for a black candidate, without thinking twice about it; the victory that was initiated by Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and the thousands of others who have fought tirelessly for civil rights; the victory of the American Dream and the melting pot; the victory of  Declaration of Independence’s promise that all men are created equal.  This is truly an American victory worthy of celebrating. 

I’m not suggesting that Obama throw a lavish party. Rather, he should throw a big party, a really big party.  And big parties come with big price tags.  And I’m OK with that.  The cost of the inauguration is actually quite reasonable.  Think of how much money we spend on sporting events or Fourth-of-July fireworks.  Surely this historic election is worthy celebrating with a big bash.  And it will still be millions less than Verison spends every year in commercials asking us, “Can you hear me now?”  Think of the hundreds of millions spent for bikini-clad women to urge Americans to drink piss-poor beer by us, for God’s sake. 

Yes, America can afford to celebrate.  So come January 20th, whether you make the pilgrimage to D.C. or watch events unfold on TV, whether you voted for John McCain or Barack Obama, join the celebration.  Inauguration Day is a celebration of America.  And America has never had a better reason to celebrate.

Star-struck

Posted by: Lindsey Lanzendorfer

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                     As I pushed my way through the Xcel center, I could not fathom my situation. We had floor passes for one hour and made sure we got them at 9:00 so we were sure to see Palin speak. I pushed my way to the front and was able to sit down right in front of the ropes (the closest you could be to the stage).

Guiliani came out when I got there. Wow, did he give an amazing speech. He went off script so much and had all the people going wild. I sat back just looking at all the people cheering and waving their signs. I was completely speechless. My heart was racing so fast; I truly could not believe I was there.  I was so impressed by his speech. He was about to really excite. He made a lot of attacks against Obama, but his message was still effective. 

After Guiliani, Sarah entered. I think she really delivered. I have not got a change to look at the cnn report card for her, but I hope she received all As, because she deserved it. I know this is something people will say again and again, but watching it on tv (as I did with the DNC speakers), comes no where close to being there. I was pleased that Sarah talked more about herself because I think reintroducing herself was one thing that she needed to do in this speech. She is a role model. She didn’t talk like she was elite or that she was too shy. She just seemed, I have no other way to say it, real. She touched the people in the room with her story. Her speech was strong, yet compassionate. It was confident, yet sincere. This is really someone different that we have not seen as a top political figure for a long time.

One thing I would have changed was her saying some of the same things she said last Friday. However, that was probably a tactically move since many may not have watched that announcement. She also attacked Obama, but she needed to do that for some of the constituents. Bringing out her family was a nice touch. Being there, it was so moving to thing this woman, with five children is so motivated and intelligent to also be governor of a extremely large state and be running in a Presidential election.  

I loved seeing McCain come onto the stage, it was such a powerful moment. Some of the people at home may be saying he should not of come out because it was her night (just as I said with Obama the night he came out when Biden gave his speech), but when you are there, it does not seem wrong at all. I am extremely thrilled about tonight and hope that I will be able to get out there again. 

Fieldwork: Today we were to interview delegates to find out what they expected from Sarah’s speech and if they had been given talking points about her in advance. I interviewed so many delegates. It was a blast for me. Just talking to people and finding out how they became a delegate and what they thought about Palin. It was like having all the information before I even read the newspaper. 

While doing interviews, I spotted Mitt Romney in one of the news booths. I went arounfdthe back and when he was leaving, I was able to stand right next to Mitt Romney and got an excellent picture. Also, I actually was able to get my picture taken with Lynn Swan. Who was appearing on New York 1 News. Also I was able to find out some interesting information and the editors were so happy with what I found and tomorrow we have to find out more. We have to “get the lead” We worked on our story for awhile and then they asked us to report our finding on the blog and I was again able to get my story published.

I have enjoyed this internship very much. It has been extremely stressful but so rewarding when they congratulate me for figuring things out and getting good interviews and writing a good story. I have learned so much during my time at the convention with my fieldwork placement. I have learned so many behind the scene information and was so excited to do so. I don’t want to beat a dead horse so let’s just say I have had a tremendous time that I cannot even explain. I am so thankful for this opportunity!  

New language: Bump Shot - a camera shot used to transition between segments often of the surrounding area but no reporting goes on during it 

Sarah Palin - Republican Vice Presidential Nominee

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List and Analysis of Activities: I really wish I had the stamina to sit here and analyze all that I saw tonight at day 3 of the RNC, but it is 3:30 in the morning of a night that promises to be a cliffhangar for tomorrow’s festivities. So, I will simply leave this tonight with a brief insight into the Excel Energy Center before, during and after the historic speech of Governor Sarah Palin as she accepted the GOP’s call to Vice Presidential nominee. I stood for the second night in a row on the front row of the buffer zone reserved for limited numbers of photographers and cameramen as the much-anticipated announcement sounded and Sarah Palin walked onto the black stage and up to the wooden podium. The Energy Center erupted. The pause was long and loud, deafening in a way I had not yet seen with the audience. It did not feel like a crowd cheering at a football game or a rock concert though. There was admiration and awe, yes, but there was also this sense of welcoming, as if the Republicans were grateful for this moment because this was their chance to show Sarah just how much they were excited to add her in the vice presidential role to their community. And she stood before them with the standard thank yous, yes, but far less than the trained speech-givers I have seen over the past weeks. It was not the Obama, “I have a quota of thank yous I need to get out before I can continue the program” style, nor the Hillary Clinton, “I really love all this all-eyes-on-me part of the job” style nor even the Laura Bush “please stop clapping, all this attention is embarrassing” style. No, this was different. This was a “I’m thankful for the applause, but we’re on the same path with the same goals, so let’s get this formality overwith as soon as possible and talk about where we go from here” style. She was confident, already aware that everyone in that room (media aside ) had welcomed her into their ideological community and more aware that they had asked her in confidence to be their leader in the fight, both foreign and domestic, to keep America great and keep democracy strong.

She then introduced her family, as we’ve seen her do before, with the acknowledgement that her role as VP does not come without strings attached. But those strings have, for better, made and shaped her into the person she is today and given her a unique pespective on the American experience and what it means to all the families of this country. She was a hockey mom, and a fiery one at that demonstrated by the impromptu joke: “What is the difference between a pitbull and a hockey mom?…lipstick.” The kind of joke your neighbor or fellow book club member tells. She just couldn’t help herself throwing that in there. And the crowd loved it. They soaked up every bit with the kind of confidence you have in a parent. You found yourself sitting there wishing you could adopt her as your second mother. She presented herself as a confident role model, the kind of woman that will lead by example because there is no more admirable way to lead. Her conviction was intense. There was no doubt in her mind. And you felt confidence in her running-mate because she had confidence in him. It’s easy to say that John McCain will be a great President of the United States when you are standing in front of thousands of delegates and guests waiting to nominate him as their leader. It is difficult to fake what Palin made the crowd feel though. She had them on the edge of their seats, wanting her to accept them as diligent workers in the American struggle. She inspired.

And McCain next to Palin and family only solidified this feeling. The feeling of a winning ticket. The feeling of family. The feeling of values. McCain didn’t need to steal the show from Palin. He already knew he’d made the right choice. And I think when he walked out on that stage and saw the thousands of faces looking at him and felt the energy in that hall, he knew he had surrounded himself by exactly the right person to lead the United States of America.

Op-ed — Don’t blink.

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Think fast. Don’t blink. The art of the transition into the unknown.

    What we have here are unprecedented events in the history of American political conventions. Everything hangs in the air for the Republicans in St. Paul, MN. Media have just flown in Friday from Denver at the site of the Democratic convention and have intercepted delegates from affected states in a flurry for interviews.

    But what is really going on is a test to the presidential candidates, official or quasi-official. Campaigners should leave nothing to chance, should be prepared in the sense of controlled flexibility. One of the most difficult but most important factors in an election is the ability to show grace in the midst of chaos, to direct traffic in a heavy fog, to write a synopsis of an unwritten chapter of the book.

    Just Thursday, democrats celebrated their presidential ticket for the general election. It was an eventful week as the party dealt with unity questions stemming from the divisions erected in their historic primary race. The Clintons rallied behind Obama despite differences and the potential end to their 16 year dominance in their party. The political discussion centered around the new role of both Clintons and their supporters.

    Focus shifted to Obama when he chose to anti-climatically present himself to his party on the eve of the acceptance. The promise was that the next day the campaign would truly move forward. For better or for worse, the first African American candidate for the U.S. presidency dominated the spotlight for only a matter of hours. McCain congratulated him on a job well done and gave him an evening to revel on his Zeus-like stage.

   Friday morning, however, the news had moved on as media agenda-set their cameras on Dayton, Ohio where McCain introduced Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, to the continental United States. This self-made woman took stage front and center promising to “shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.” This splash candidate continues to receive both intense criticism and praise as her background is revealed.

   Her spotlight lasted until only Saturday when CNN coverage transformed to: “When the weather is the news, stay with CNN or CNN.com.” Gustav, New Orleans’s tropical nightmare part two took full stage this weekend, threatening to cancel the Republican Convention all-together. Governor Bobby Jindal, President Bush and Vice President Cheney dropped out early from their speaking roles. McCain stated that he would wait until the very last moment to decide where his presence is needed most. Reporters moved from staked-out spots at the Alaska delegation hotel to that of Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana and split its staff between New Orleans and St. Paul coverage.

   Consensus seemed to be that Americans would find it appalling to see Republicans celebrating with their presidential candidate while New Orleans is pounded by Katrina’s running-mate. Furthermore, the convention’s slogan, “Country First” must be considered the priority, meaning that limiting one of the party’s biggest four-year celebrations is a small sacrifice while thousands of fellow Americans flee their homes.

   The point is that there are enough discussion points from this week to allow any political follower to talk for a good long time. There is analysis from every angle; the dynamics of the Clinton history, Obama’s historic acceptance and speech, Palin’s unprecedented GOP selection, as well as the intricacies of Hurricane Gustav, especially as they compare to 2005’s Katrina. And yet no camp has stood to benefit politically from any of these single events. The Gallup Poll returned to pre-convention figures despite the expected post-convention jump. The question is not which party will change history but what historical event will leave its legacy on the campaign.

   In these times it becomes interesting to see reactions when tensions are high, expectations are low and circumstances are unusual. Plans are only good up to the point of implementation at which point creative, on-the-spot reactions could make the difference between a successful or a non-successful event. One of Hillary Clinton’s favorite philosophies, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” is important only if you can take it a step further. Plan, certainly, but be willing to adjust and react at a moment’s notice when the entire tide has turned.

    The most successful campaigner is one who will strategize not with the intention of controlling what events will play out, but having an idea of how to manipulate and adjust to events as they unfold, while maintaining a common persona of stability. Chaos is disaster. Controlled chaos is commendable.

Convention turns celebratory

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List and analysis of activities: Day 2 of the convention felt like day one of the celebration. Today was much different than yesterday in general attitude and overall atmosphere (oh, and of course there were a lot more people of national fame just walking around…). Republicans had been excited yesterday to meet up with friends, enjoy the company of a republican-dense population and approve their platform of beliefs. They were also there to support the coastal state residents as they battled Gustav. Today was a horse of a different color, and I think it was red.

It was like a football home opener filled with rowdy republicans of all ages dancing in the aisles, showing off their Fox News hats and proudly trading their state pins (or explaining their various coordinated outfits — Alaska wore heavy hats saying “Drill here” with orange construction vests pasted with ANWR photos). The first second day of the Republican National Convention tipped off the four-year reaffirmation of their political doctrine, and they were proud to share and defend it for America and beyond. They remembered the Greats (of which Tony Snow and Ronald Reagan won overwhelmingly on the noise scale) with a video and a guest appearance of H.W. and Barbara Bush, applauded the present with Laura and Geoge Bush and congratulated the future by introducing the McCains. There was much discussion of character and background, the basic bio information that shapes a life. McCain was presented as a military man of conviction. He was presented as a compassionate reformer. He was presented as a republican by philosophy but a man of America by action. The contrast between Thompson and Lieberman indicated this balance between party ties and country action that McCain will succeed, unlike many others, in striking. He will be a President of the United States, not an executive participant in a two-party duel. He will stand proudly in service to his fellow men under the platform of Country First.

This is the Republican nominee and how the party’s united front will stand upon success. While the Democrats are busy changing, Republicans pronounce a reassertion of all that is uniquely American. One of these platforms will tumble on November 5. While this phenomenon is important in itself, it also raises questions about the aftermath of this election. The McCain and Obama rhetoric and issues are very different. However, differences on issues have been present since 1789. Disagreements will not be the problem. It is rhetoric that will stand a chance at harming or even haulting productive governing. Conventions are places where rhetorics soar and catch hold of the audience, where ideals become reality and plans become roadmaps. Come November 5, however, roadmaps find roadblocks, idealizers must make real ends meet and the country must unify in a common goal, in a common America. When this all ends, and it will, America has a choice. We have a choice to stand tall with the principles that make us all American or to self-destruct with partisanship. We have a choice to disagree and exemplify what we hold dearest to our hearts in the principles of democracy, or to distrust and succumb to all the temptations of tyranny. Whether we are changing or going back to our roots, I hope Americans are ready to face the challenges of this world on a united front. Otherwise, we are left with a seconded country or a belief that can’t be changed.

Sound bite of the day: Fred Thompson: “No, they’re just going to tax “businesses”! So unless you buy something from a “business”, like groceries or clothes or gasoline … or unless you get a paycheck from a big or a small “business”, don’t worry … it’s not going to affect you.

They say they are not going to take any water out of your side of the bucket, just the “other” side of the bucket! That’s their idea of tax reform.”

I’m not sure there is anything profound in this quote. It basically shows the republican critique of the democrat’s tax reform ideas. I personally just thought it was really funny.

Fieldwork: Today like yesterday I acted as messenger delivering digital disks from the photographer to the editor and vice versa. I got to stand just off to the right of the stage (and take exit photos of each of the speakers) because my photographer was in the buffer zone. This was great great great placement because I could hear and see all of the action up close. It was a little tricky at first getting from the dark room to the front, but once I figured out how to avoid the crowds, it went smoothly. I definitely got a workout running up all those stairs and dodging all those people, but it was fun. And I made some friends in the process (especially all those who could help me get back to my spot since apparently 5s is a taboo game at conventions). I even got an up-close photo of Cindy McCain and she said “Hi, How are you?” to me. And I know it was directed to me because 1) I was about one foot from her and 2) I was the only one there. Overall, I had a lot of fun and I got to hear almost all of the speeches. The photographer I worked with today did as best he could to give me disks when there were breaks in the action. Although this isn’t always possible, it worked out well tonight. I hope tomorrow works out just as well, especially for the vice presidential candidate speech.

Day 8 - Sarah Parlin and Young Voters Article

Posted by: Lindsey Lanzendorfer

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            You won’t believe what I did today. First, I went to Augsburg College and worked on our article about McCain’s influence on the youth. We bounced a few ideas around and then began to write the article. We decide that Obama was able to convey his message of change fairly well but that McCain also had a message of change. Our article addressed how McCain must be able show his appeal to young voters in order to get their vote and that young voters want change, whether they vote for a Democrat or a Republican. Around 11, we made our way over to the Xcel center and continued to work on the article. Soon, we met with an editor and he pretty much said to start over. He said the piece was pretty much opinion and everything we said had to come from someone else. At first I was a little discouraged because I thought it was pretty good, but I guess maybe for an op-ed it turns out. So after thinking about it for awhile, something clicked. We decided on a design for the article but before  we could really get started, one of the editors came up to me and told me I was to go to the crown plaza and get into the rally for Sarah Palin. He merely said go here and find out what you can. So, I went. It was so crazy. I started talking to these people in the lobby of the hotel and they said they wanted to go but they did not have tickets. There was also another lady standing with them that talked to me a little and told me she was a representative from Minnesota. It was Michelle Bachman. She then said she had to go but the other two girls and I asked the front desk and were directed upstairs. Once up there, there were registration tables on both sides of the door. The girls I was with were disappointed and said that we would not be able to get in. But… as they walked away I just walked through to the party. At first I did not know what to do, but then I just walked up to people and started talking. It actually was a  pro-life rally for Sarah Palin. I remembered one of the delegates from Utah from the media party and so I talked to her and then she said she paid 95 dollars to get into the party! I ended up talking to a delegate from Florida and her husband. I ate some food with them and we ended up being in the front row. I was so excited because everyone was saying that they thought Sarah was going to be there.             When the program started, Phyllis Schlafly spoke and while she was speaking a pro-choice  protestor pushed herself onto the stage. She had a sign and Schlafly torn it in half. Then she was escorted right by me and out of the party. After that, Laura Ingram spoke and she said some pretty nasty things about the Democrats.             Then when Schlafly was introducing Michele Bachman, another protestor got on the stage and was escorted out.             I can hardly believe I was there and so close. If only Sarah Palin would have been there.            When I got back, I told the writers all about what happened and they wanted to put it on their blog. There is even video! http://washingtonbureau.typepad.com/election2008/ While I was gone, the other interns had called their professors and gotten some interviews from them. We started writing the article again. To have a break we decided to go on the floor for a little. I saw Michele Bachman speak again and Wes Gullett. Once back upstairs, we worked on the article more and around 9:30 sent it to an editor. He said it was good, edited it, and it should be published tomorrow. This experience has been so stressful, yet unbelievable.  Sound bite: We know that we have challenges … always have, always will.said by Fred Thompson tonight. I think it is just one of those things that sometimes needs to be said. We can never live in a perfect world.   

Op-ed.. Sarah Palin

Posted by: Lindsey Lanzendorfer

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VP Means a Little More this Time Around

Lindsey Lanzendorfer

It Romney, its Pawlenty, its Ridge, its…. Palin? After taking us on a wild goose chase, John McCain’s decision for a running mate is just a little bit unorthodox. No woman expected THIS woman to be on the Presidential ticket this election.

            Like many have to do when they serve in the military, McCain made a quick executive decision. However, just like decisions in the military can mean life or death, this decision may help him make it to the oval office, or end his political career. One thing is for sure; his decision will go down in history. For most elections, the Vice Presidential choice is a moot point. However, in this close election, this choice may create all the difference.

            Instantaneously, Americans had different reactions. Although the comments may vary, the message rang clear – everyone wondering: who is Sarah Palin? Several issues have since been raised. The first being her gender. Some women may find this fact unsettling because they resent McCain thinking he can persuade their vote by choosing any woman. One woman, quoted in the Wall Street Journal, says that women are not linear voters and they deserve more credit than what McCain’s pick seems to insinuate. To contrast, another woman, reported in the New York Times, said she will be definitely be voting for McCain after his decision of Palin. Another talking point surrounding this issue is her experience. This is a delicate territory for the Democratic Party to enter, being that  Barack Obama has also been criticized for having little experience. Several may comment that she has only been governor of Alaska for a short time and before that was merely mayor of a small town. However, Several people say that she has more executive experience than the candidates because she is the only one to hold an executive office position. One Convention Delegate from Alaska commented that Palin had a lot more foreign policy experience than some may think. She deals with fishery issues with Russia and many issues with Canada. Another issue that the Republicans are pushing is her reputation as a reformer. She beat corrupt Republican incumbent and defeated big oil in the State of Alaska. Some may say that her image compliments McCain’s maverick style. Others, however, say she is disconnected, being from a far away state. Finally, we look at her story. She is a mother of five and the fifth child was born with Down Syndrome. She calls herself a “hockey mom” and her husband is a union man. This story will appeal to many voters, capitalizing on exactly what McCain needs.

            This choice may have been a little unconventional, but it may be just what McCain needs to win this election. On the other hand, it may be just what it takes for him to lose his shot at the Presidency. As the Election Day grows nearer, one thing is for sure. This time, the choice of Vice President matters and it is not Romney, Pawlenty, or Ridge – its Palin. 

day 2 — Can the Democrats let go of the Clinton Legacy?

Posted by: Lindsey Lanzendorfer

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Analysis of Activities: My second day in the twin cities was even more attractive than the first. This morning I saw a McCain Ad capitalizing of the differences between Clinton and Obama. Formally, I really did not realize the huge gap between Obama supporters and Clinton supporters. However, there are significant differences and if the best thing the McCain campaign can do is expose those differences. Unlike many other elections, we have a strong strong support someone other than the nominated candidate. Even if not intentional Clinton will be taking a lot of votes away from Obama this election. I think this may be one of the main differences between this election and the 1992 election. Why this election is so close. We shall see.

Today, we heard from Tim Penny, former Minnesota representative, speak about this election and what its results mean for this country. I think Mr. Penny brought a lot to the table. Whoever wins this election, there will be consequences for both parties. Both these candidates speak of change and I believe will follow through with their words of change. But what does that word even mean? Change. How will Obama or McCain produce change when they are faced with a particularly partisan Congress. We may have a new President and a few more Congressmen, but it will be the same partisan gridlock and dirty tactics that we have been faced with for the last several years. McCain is known to reach across the aisle and many Democrats believe that they can trust and work with McCain. They know where he stands. I do not think we can say the same for Obama. Maybe I am wrong but he is a left candidate and I cannot see him reaching across the aisle. I see him using the same tactics Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional Democrats have used to exclude the Republicans.

We finally talked about the evolution of the two parties. According to Former Congressman Mickey Edwards, the Republican Party used to be about preserving the Constitution. Through the Christian coalition and the neo-cons it has strayed and something needs to be changed. The Republicans needs to find their purpose once again. Is it still a constitutional based party or something else. What I found particularly interesting was the History of the Democratic Party. Arguable, the Democrats have been the Clinton Party for 16 years. Can Obama transition the Democrats to him from the Clinton legacy? It is so hard to separate Hillary Clinton from the Democratic Party. It just seems like this should have been her race. If it is time for a Democratic President, it is time for Hillary Clinton. I think this is one of the reasons that the race between McCain and Obama is so close, because the Democrats are divided. If Obama is elected, there will be a shift in the entire platform of the Democratic Party. Everything in the media, in the air is the Clintons. Just watching her on the screen of the convention, seeing how many people are there for her. I feel that the Democratic Party may not be ready to leave Clinton behind. They want the policy and the platform to stay the same; they want the Clinton legacy to continue. Although she may say that she is on the same side as Obama, she isn’t and their ideas are not the same.

Sounds Bite: While talking about the current political situation today, Tim Penny said “ The only way we can change the current situation of Washington is if the younger generation creates the change.” Being surrounded by young people who do care and who are informed and who want to change the system, I believe this is so true. I also believe that change needs to be made and I believe that this generation is ready to define the Republican Party and change Washington. Although it has taken awhile for young America to wake up and realize that politics are important, it is time for change and we are ready.

New Language: “Clintonian triangulation” – not being too left or too right but actually adopting some of your opponents political ideas. Clinton’s idea was to be more Republican than the Republicans. 

Day 7 - deadlines

Posted by: Lindsey Lanzendorfer

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The convention was all business today and  it was noteven a full schedule! As soon as I arrived we were told to go on the floor ofthe convention and interview young delegates in order to write a story, duetomorrow at 2 p.m. There were no delegates on the floor, so we took somepictures until the Texas delegation started to arrive. I then interviewed threedelegates and got similar responses from all of them. Soon after, the two otherinterns and I went up to the workspace for McClatchy and before I could evensit down one of the other interns checked her email and there was one sent at11:15 (we were already at the convention) which asked us to go to the Louisianadelegation hotel and interview some Louisiana delegates about their specialaddress that morning given to them by Cindy McCain.  Since we had no wayof receiving this email before we were at the convention, we asked if it wouldbe beneficial for us to go on the floor and see if any Louisiana delegates hadarrived. The editors said yes and so then we had two stories, why young peoplesupport McCain and what reaction did Louisiana delegates have to Cindy.

I interviewed several more delegates and as I walkedaround the floor of the convention, it really all began to sink in. This is aconventional, where these delegates that I am talking to vote to nominate thecandidate for President of the United States. In a few short nights (ifHurricane Gustav does not delay anything) John McCain will stand on the stageand give his speech. The process I have read about in text books was happeningbefore my eyes and I was talking to the people who will make it happen.Anotherthing I am learning is that interviewing is hard work. There were peopleeverywhere and I would walk to a certain states area and try to manage my wayaround stopping people who were not engaged in conversation or hurrying passedme. I liked meeting the people and learning about their roads to success. Sincewe only had two floor passes and three interns, I went back upstairs and gavemy pass away. Then, while I was filing my first interview, we received anotherassignment. We were to go find southern delegates and interview them abouttheir reaction to Sarah Palin’s daughter being pregnant out of wedlock. Are youcounting? At this point, I am to be interviewing young delegates, Louisianadelegates, and southern delegates all on different subjects.

On the floor again, I was so involved in getting myinterviews in on time that I did not have time to stop and think about where Iwas and what I was doing. At the RNC interviewing delegates from many differentstates.  Time went by so fast and before I knew it I was filing interviewsagain and Laura Bush was on the screen in the workroom. I asked if I could usea floor pass and hurried to go see her on the floor. As soon as I startedwalking down the steps, Cindy McCain had just spoke and the two were walking offthe stage together. I was so disappointed I could not have been closer buthopefully I will be during the next few days.

I am finding so much about working in the media. Theseguys are always living by the seat of their pants. They never know what isgoing to happen and where they will have to be. One minute we are typing ourinterviews and the next they are asking us to run back downstairs to interviewon a new topic. I am not sure if this would be a career for me yet, but I wouldlike to leave my options open. There is so much that goes on behind the scenesfor these stories. I am extremely nervous about giving them the story we wrote,but we will see what happens at 2 tomorrow.

New Language: Vet - to examine carefully. I learnedthis word earlier in the week when we talked about the choices for VP. Butsince it was said about a 1,000 times at my fieldwork today, I figured it wouldwork well as my new language of the day.