Democratic debate was experience of a lifetime

This week, six lucky members of Kent State student media got to go to the Democratic debate at Cleveland State. And I was one of them. With access to the media filing room and the spin room, I was in Democrat heaven.

I was able to get into the arena with the photographers for a short time before NBC went live. The audience was filled with an interesting group of people. Of course, there was the usual cast of Senators and Representatives. Dennis Haysbert of the show 24 sat rows behind John Glenn. Kent State Director of Journalism and Mass Communication Director Jeff Fruit was in the second row. I even pointed out local car salesman Bob Serpentini to a guy from Buckeye State Blog, who was excited about the Republican’s presence in the audience.

As I snapped photos, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and Washington bureau chief for NBC Tim Russert bantered back and forth. Williams said no matter where they go, Russert has a connection to the area. Russert is a graduate of the Cleveland Marshall School of Law at Cleveland State. Williams did his best to show his appreciation of Cleveland by placing a Browns autographed Browns helmet on the desk. It was good enough for me.

We watched the debate from the filing room, however, a fellow TV2-er somehow snuck into the debate arena and got Clinton and Obama’s autographs. In the filing room, I sat down the row from Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes. This was the place of my dreams and these people did not hold their reactions inside. There were oohs and awes, and even a few “oh snaps.” We all laughed as Williams tried to cut off Hillary Clinton so he could send it to break. She insisted on getting in the last one on Iraq, but Williams told her “Television doesn’t stop.”

After the debate, we headed to the spin room. It was a practice gym in the Wolstein Center that was lined with bleachers, light kits and cameras. At one end, Chris Matthews was interviewing Jesse Jackson. On the other end, politicians were filtering in to be interviewed. We went from sticking a mic in Ted Strickland’s face, to speaking with the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party Chris Redfern about young voters. I even tried to trick Sen. Sherrod Brown into telling me who his favorite candidate is. It didn’t work well, but it was worth a shot.

We were there late, interviewing everyone we could. It was an awesome opportunity for a young reporter.

-Jen Steer

Ohio Women Make History Rally

Ohio’s First Lady Frances Strickland Invites You to Please Join

Chelsea Clinton

For a Women’s History Month Celebration

“Ohio Women Make History!” Rally

The University of Akron – Student Union Ballroom
Akron, OH

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Doors Open at 1:00 pm
Program Starts at 2:00 pm

With Special Guests:
Award Winning Actress Melanie Griffith
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH)
Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY)
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)
Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Reverend Marcia L. Dyson
EMILY’s List President and Founder Ellen Malcolm
Hillary Clinton for President Senior Advisor Ann Lewis

To RSVP, please visit www.hillaryclinton.com/ohio

5 Things Every Voter Should Do

Growing up, my favorite day of the year was Election Day.  Daddy would pick me up from school during recess and I would go “help” him vote.  Besides allowing for some father-daughter time, this bonding experience taught me a few things about my civic duty.  For those of you who unfortunately waited until you were eighteen to vote, here are some tips from me to you on being prepared at the polls.

1. Do your research.  Know more than just the candidates’ names.  Look into where they stand on issues, their past voting records and anything else you put into consideration when voting.  To quote a wise man (my father), “never vote for the party, vote for the person.”   Luckily for me, my dad is an inside man on a lot of the local races.  As an attorney, he knows quite a number of these people personally and he would always tell me exactly why he chose “so-and-so” over “what’s his name.”  This taught me to never just trust party lines because the way a person really acts while in office may be quite different than their partisan partners. 
2. Take your time. While the candidates are racing, the voters are not!! You could get there as soon as the polls open and stand there all day if you wanted.  None of the voter ladies yelled at my dad or I to hurry up while he was explaining something on the ballot to me. Voting is an important decision and there is no reason to rush. 
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for a new ballot.  If you change your mind on whom you are voting for, punched a wrong hole or have those obnoxious hanging chads ask the lovely volunteers for a new ballot. 
4. Be patient.  It is a good thing when the lines are long, that means people are voting!  It is worth it if you miss a little bit of work or school.  If crunched for time, go when everyone else is at work, I always found the recess crowd to be minimal.
5. Reward yourself.  You just took part in a time-honored tradition, so go buy yourself some ice cream.  When my brother and I both registered to vote, Mom made sure to take us to our family’s favorite ice cream shop, Malley’s Chocolates.  Oh, and of course do not forget to pick up your “I voted today” sticker and wear it with pride all day!     
                                                                                    -Katie Cleary
   

Democrats square off in Cleveland

Before the two Democrats took to the stage, photographers had a chance to take a few pictures. I was lucky enough to in on the action. Stay tuned for video and commentary on the debate at Cleveland State.

-Jen Steer

Politics makes strange bedfellows

Before this election cycle this phrase crossed my mind every once awhile when politicians put aside partisanship to pass a bill together. I never really understood how true the statement is before February 20 when I attended a Ron Paul meet-up. The people were friendly, very open and inviting. They sat around a number of tables, stuffing bags with information about Paul to leave on people’s doorknobs in a last ditch effort to get the vote out before Ohio’s primary on March 4. They answered my questions, told me about themselves and why they were part of the ‘Ron Paul Revolution.’

The only thing is the members are a little bit ‘out there.’

Do not get me wrong, I have always been a little skeptical of the government. I think there are projects in the works to create a North American Union and it would not surprise me if it was found that FDR knew about Pearl Harbor. However, I do not think there are death camps in America or the government is monitoring everything I do.

Some people at the meet-up however nice they were, definitely did. I interviewed one woman but had to scrap it because she would not give me her last name. Another woman was talking about conspiracy theorist Alex Jones as if his words are gospel. I even got a copy of Alex Jones’ documentary End Game from her.

Besides attracting the conspiracy crowd, Paul also has recently attracted anti-abortion people such as my father. To him there are no real pro-life candidates between McCain, Clinton and Obama. After months of verbal fisticuffs at the dinner table and his candidate knocked out, he has finally conceded that Paul is the only superior candidate left.

I do not support Paul because I believe he is “the only person to save us” (as the nameless woman said) but because he is the only candidate who offers real change. Obama’s campain for change is just that – a campaign. He is quite a good speaker and has some good strategies but that is about the end of it. He likes tout how he has not accepted campaign contributions from PACs or “Washington lobbyists” and that is true. What is not true however, is that he has accepted money from state lobbyists and attended events hosted by lobbyists working on the federal level. Paul wants to do away with the IRS and return more tax money to the public. He also is a heavy supporter of the constitution and minimal government.

Conspiracy theorists, pro-life supporters and self-described freedom lovers are all in the same bed because of a certain politician – even if that bed has begun to grow cold.

-Ted Hamilton

Straight Talk Express Stops in Rocky River

A standing-room-only crowd gathered inside the Don Umerley Civic Center Monday morning in Rocky River hoping to catch a glimpse of John McCain.

How important is Obama’s presence?

Senator Barack Obama declines the invitation to the annual State of the Black Union forum held in New Orleans, Louisiana today. His reasoning is that he wants to focus on his competitive presidential race. Being it only ten days away from the Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont primaries, Obama is fully focused on reaching out and using his financially equipped campaign support to get his voice heard in these states.

He has been to many rallies in Ohio and Texas and continues to get the hype up about his plan for “Change.” While doing so, is he neglecting his African American background by not attending the State of the Black Union forum today? What is really to be said about an African American presidential candidate who declines an invitation to such an event during Black History Month while his opponent, Hillary Rodham Clinton accepts the invite?

 

One can see this story through two different tunnels. One may think that because of Obama’s decent, he must be present at an event such as this because he is such an important American figure today. On the other hand, Obama may be trying to run a campaign and that is his main focus at this time. If there was more time for him to attend such a memorable event for African Americans then it is more than probable that he would be present. Could it be that is attempting to reach out to all voters, not just the black vote? Obama must remember that once he is passed the primaries, he must reach out to ALL voters once again and that includes those of the Black Union.

-Lubna Najjar

 

A message of hope to a town desperate for it.

On Monday presidential candidate Barack Obama toured a factory in Niles, Ohio before addressing nearly 7000 supporters in the Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University.

 It was a typical campaign trail afternoon for Obama.

 But the real story that lurks in the shadow of the “typical campaign trail afternoon” could be found on the faces of the people who stood in the snow and bitter wind to hear the presidential candidate speak.  This is the story of hope.

 The young and old were there standing beside students and teachers.  Neighbors and out-of-towners were brushing shoulders with Browns and Steelers. Single mothers were there with their children and fathers where there being assisted by their sons.  They were all there to hear Barack Obama speak.  For the people of Youngstown, this was hardly a typical afternoon.

Shane Golden is a student at Youngstown State.  He was at the Beeghly Center on Monday because he believes Barack Obama is the answer to the problems that face America.  “This guy is talking about change,” Golden said.  “That is why people are coming out.”  Golden said when Obama gives a speech it feels like he is speaking from the heart.  “I think it’s his message of hope that really activates something inside all of us.”

 Angela King is working because school is too expensive.  She was on the floor of the Youngstown State University gymnasium Monday because she wanted to hear Obama’s message of hope.  Sporting a t-shirt with the slogan “He’s Black and I’m proud,” King said she has never followed a political campaign until now.  “I’ll be volunteering on the election day,” King said.  “I have never done that before, but I think Obama is for the people.”

 It was hardly a typical afternoon for anyone in Youngstown.

Youngstown is a city that was economically dismantled by the late 1970s and the 1980s only to be forgotten in the 1990s.  A “rust belt” city nestled in the “steel valley.” Today Youngstown’s biggest employers are healthcare providers and car manufacturers not steel corporations. 

 According to the Ohio Department of development, Mahoning County, where Youngstown is located, has a population that is shrinking.  In fact, it is projected that by 2020 the county will lose 20,000 more citizens.  This might have something to do with the fact that half of the citizens who live in Mahoning County make less than 35,000 dollars a year.  In other words, Youngstown is a city in desperate need of Change.

 The citizens of Youngstown haven’t forgotten about the 40,000 manufacturing jobs that evaporated from their once plentiful economy.  They don’t need to be reminded that the educated citizens are looking for something better, far away from home.  They don’t need to be reminded about the 400 million dollars of annual income that left with the steel companies.  What the citizens of Youngstown need is a vision. 

 So perched on a stage no bigger then a Honda Civic, Barack Obama told a Youngstown crowd that change was on the way; change they have so desperately needed.     

 Nick Mishko, a senior communication major at Youngstown State University said it best, “Stuff like this just doesn’t happen in Youngstown.”

Clinton shows her human side

 

My first political rally was in 2004. It was the night before the Nov. election and John Kerry and John Edwards had invaded Cleveland. It was one of the most exciting nights of my life. I thought I was seeing the next president of the United States. I was wrong.

These past few days I was able to do something I’ve always wanted to do: Cover a rally for a presidential candidate. Not once, but twice. I was in Lyndhurst for a Hillary Clinton rally on Friday and on Monday I went to Youngstown State to cover Barack Obama.

I spent an entire Friday evening in Lyndhurst. I waited 45 minutes in the cold to get in the press entrance. I stood for five hours straight. And I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.

It was a chance to hear Clinton talk for longer than the same 15 second soundbites that play on every cable news network. Did she say anything earth-shattering? Not, really. I knew she would talk about education and jobs. I figured she would go off on her little spiel on how Obama’s speeches don’t get work done.

But it was the moments in between the scripted speech that caught my interest. Clinton passed a bottle of water to a person to the side of the stage who needed medical attention. Clinton said “Mr. Secret Service man, would you hand that water over there?” as the water made its way through the crowd. She smiled as regained her composure and said “We did get a little hot on the rhetoric.”

The moment only lasted about thirty seconds, but it actually demonstrated a human side to Clinton that we don’t always see.

Partway through her speech, Clinton talked about parents who call her and ask her what to do about insurance for their terminally sick kids. She spoke softly into the mic. The feel of the room became somber. She asked “What am I supposed to tell them?” The mood suddenly became lighter as a man yelled from the floor “Vote for Hillary.” The crowd cheered.

People complain that politicians are too robotic, and maybe that’s true. But sometimes, you need to see a politician in their element to remember they are human.

-Jen Steer

The commercials have arrived

Yesterday, while listening to the radio, I heard a familiar sound. It was the kind of sound that usually comes around in November, but due to circumstances it came in March.

“I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message.”

Yes, I’m talking about my first political commercial of the 2008 presidential election.

It’s a mellow ad at first. It starts with a light piano, earthy music in the background. A smooth narrator tells the audience that Obama gave up a career on Wall Street to work with laid-off workers in a steel town.

Fifteen seconds in, you hear Obama repeat what the narrator said, only in his booming, powerful voice over a cheering crowd.

The narrator then touches on NAFTA — Obama is the only candidate against it. Obama wants to give tax breaks to companies that stay in America, the narrator says. Then Obama speaks to a cheering audience about giving tax breaks.

“Enough is enough,” Obama says while a cheering audience plays in the background.

Finally, we hear the narrator tells the audience the ad was paid for by Obama for America.

I couldn’t run from the ads. On Cleveland’s Z107.9, a large hip hop station targeted at a black audience, I heard another Obama ad. He evokes Martin Luther King Jr’s name at the beginning of the speech with that same cheering crowd in the background. As the ad concludes, the narrator reminds the audience to vote on March 4, and where to go to get an absentee ballot.

That same day, I pick up the Daily Kent Stater to see a full-page ad on page three from Obama for America telling students to vote absentee. It gives three detailed steps on how to get an absentee ballot. I think this is very critical for the Obama campaign because with the young demographic he’s trying to win, he’s going to need students at schools like Kent State to vote. He will have a much tougher time carrying Ohio if he cannot get young people to the polls, and many cannot vote in the district they are registered in.

It seems like Obama is getting trying to his word out. He visited Youngstown Monday and I saw three ads for him Tuesday. Still trailing Clinton in the state, it will be interesting to see how many ads will show up in my life over these next few weeks.

To listen to the first ad I heard, click here: http://obama.3cdn.net/3018e797bcd67faaee_afm6bptnu.mp3

—Jeff Russ