The Truth Behind "The Snub"

I'm Kid News Reporter Sydney Rieckhoff.  On January 31, I reported on the campaign trail from Vinton, Iowa.

It was a cold, foggy Iowa day. I was on my way to report about Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign visit to Vinton, Iowa. When we got to the Clinton campaign event, a high school band was playing. I signed in at the press table and sat down right next to the cupcakes set out for the press. You could tell when Hillary Clinton came out because everyone cheered and held up "Hillary for President" signs. What I didn't know was that I was about to meet Chelsea Clinton, Hillary and Bill Clinton's only daughter.

Senator Clinton spoke for about an hour, and when she finished everyone pushed up front to meet her. Then, Chelsea Clinton walked past me and I asked her a question that I had prepared in advance.

"How do you think your father would be as First Man?" I asked as part of an assignment by Scholastic to write stories about the candidates' kids. "I'm sorry," Chelsea said, "but I can't talk to press, and unfortunately that means you, even though I think you're cute."

An reporter from the AP (Associated Press) overheard our conversation and wrote a story headlined "Chelsea Clinton Snubs 9-year-old Reporter." When I got home that night, the Fox News Channel called. They asked me if I would come and be on their show American Morning. 

The next morning, on the way to the interview, my Aunt Chris called us on the cell phone. "Do you know what they are saying about Sydney and Chelsea?" she asked. "They are running previews on Fox News saying that fourth-grade kid reporter Sydney Rieckhoff gets snubbed by Chelsea Clinton."

My mom told me what was happening and asked me to tell the truth because Chelsea was actually very nice to me. I did not feel snubbed. Even though I am only 9 years old, I am a journalist and that's how she treated me.

"No, she was very nice and she took her picture with me," I told them.

On my way home from Des Moines, the phone began to ring with calls from broadcast, cable news, and radio news shows. The story about me and Chelsea was featured in more than 50 newspapers because it was put on the wire service by the AP and sent around the country. I was also on radio stations. WGN in Chicago named me their "Kid of the Week." Some people thought that by getting "snubbed" I wouldn't want to be a reporter anymore, but it just made me want to be one more. Chelsea Clinton treated me like any other journalist. I felt honored to be included with the mainstream press! And now I know that whether you are the reporter or someone who gets interviewed, you have to be ready for anything. I learned a lot from this experience.

Photo: Robyn Rieckhoff

Covering Giuliani's Campaign

This is Scholastic Kid News Reporter Michael Riordan, reporting from the campaign trail.

My editor had given me an assignment: Get a picture with Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani and ask him my question about his stand on global warming.

I hoped to ask my question during the audience Question and Answer session. Time ran out, however, before Giuliani could call on me. But, as a determined reporter, I was on a mission. 

I talked with a campaign worker and got a tip. I was sent to stand outside in the freezing rain and wind for 20 minutes just to get 15 seconds of time with the candidate. It was a long (and uncomfortable) wait, but it paid off.

In those 15 seconds, I was able to get a picture with the former Mayor of New York and ask my question.

"What do you think about global warming?" I asked.

He responded with two words: energy independence. But those two words meant a lot, he said. He went on to explain that he supports using alternative fuels. He also said Americans should be buying hybrid cars. He even suggested using domestic oil from Alaska, as well as using wind and solar power to generate electricity.

Covering Giuliani's campaign stop was a great experience. It was my first time on the beat as a Scholastic Kid Reporter.  It was a very exciting day that gave me a lot to think about. 

My work didn't end with getting the picture and the story. I also appeared on the 6 p.m. local news. I read my question and talked about my experience to a local TV reporter.

I certainly look forward to covering more campaign events in this exciting election!

Photo: Michael Riordan

Giuliani Says Lower Taxes

I'm Kid News Reporter Michael Riordan reporting on the campaign trail.  On January 16, I covered a Rudy Giuliani event in Panama City, Florida.

It's all about a big win in Florida for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has crisscrossed the state for weeks before the January 29 primary election.

On January 16, he held a rally at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City. He greeted a crowded room full of excited supporters as he came to discuss what he thinks is the key to winning Florida's 8 million votes.  He is hoping a win in Florida will give him the momentum he needs to win key states on Super Tuesday, February 5, when 22 states go to the polls.

"This election is very important, and I need your help," Giuliani said. "And with your help and support, we will win the Republican nomination, and we will win the presidency, and we'll move this country in a direction of strength, security, prosperity, and growth. These are the cornerstones of what I want to do."

Giuliani said his first priority is lowering taxes. He presented a new income tax form that would make income taxes easier to file. He asserts the average citizen could save many hours and approximately $7,000 a year by using the new income tax form. He also wants to make President George Bush's tax cuts permanent.

Giuliani also supports rapid increases in personnel and modern equipment for all branches of the military.

"It is important to reverse the damage of the peace dividend of the 1990s after the cold war. We have never made up for the deep cuts that were made in those days," he said.

His next topic was immigration. People who are in America illegally should have to "get in line, pay a fee, and learn how to read English, write English, and speak English," he said.

Giuliani has had the Sunshine State to himself for much of January. That will change after January 19, when his Republican rivals turn their attentions from the caucuses in Nevada and the primary in South Carolina. (Democrats also hold a primary on January 29, but candidates have not campaigned in the state by the request of the national party organization. The Democratic National Committee said it will not seat Florida Democratic delegates at the national convention as punishment for moving the primary date into January.)

Photo: Michael Riordan

Michigan Votes Today

This is Scholastic Kid News Reporter Kayla Gough, reporting on the campaign trail from Michigan.

Michigan voters go to the polls today. The election has brought together two favorite Michigan pastimes: politics and the annual auto show. While new cars at the show compete for attention, the hot political race is between Senator John McCain and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. There are certainly other names on Michigan’s ballot, but either McCain or Romney is expected to win most of the state’s Republican delegates.

Former Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, now an Independent Senator from Connecticut, announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that he is supporting Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

“I’m supporting Senator McCain as a Republican simply because I think of all the candidates in both major parties, he’s the one who can be the best President of the United States,” Lieberman told me. “And while parties are important, ultimately what’s more important is our country, and I think for America, John McCain will be the best President. I hope that people in all parties will come to that conclusion.”

“The people of Michigan are hurting,” McCain said. If elected President, he explained that he would work more with auto industry leaders and workers to come up with ways to improve the industry. He announced that instead of bringing back old jobs, he would work to create new kinds of jobs.

Job loss was also on Romney’s mind. “I’m convinced that the future of this industry is bright; it’s gone through some tough times, but the idea that somehow the American automobile industry is in trouble or declining is simply wrong,” he said. “This is an industry that can grow.” Romney was also at the auto show in Detroit on Monday, as was Republican candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

On Tuesday, voters in Michigan will decide which Republican candidate they think can bring Michigan out of its economic troubles and, at the same time, help America.

If McCain can win here, he would gain momentum and financial backing and would probably be deemed the front-runner for the Republican nomination. Candidates didn’t just talk about politics on their swing through the Wolverine state. With so many impressive cars around, they also commented on their favorite vehicles. Scholastic News asked Lieberman which car he’d take home if he had a chance.

“I like this sweet little car here,” he said pointing to a bright red, sporty concept car from Ford, called the Verve. But candidates are after a bigger prize: the presidency of the United States.

Photo: Kayla Gough

Tracking Down Giuliani

I'm Kid News Reporter Juliette Johnson reporting from the campaign trail.  On January 13, I covered a Rudy Giuliani event from Pompano Beach, Florida.

It takes a lot of pushing, a lot of confidence, and a great big smile to be a Kid Reporter. I learned that at my first campaign event, which was a meet and greet with Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani. The event was held at his campaign headquarters in Pompano Beach, Florida, on January 13.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon. About 100 people gathered outside at the end of a brief rain shower waiting for the candidate. Supporters were actually outnumbered by members of the press, who stood together on a press riser behind supporters.

A big bus painted with a sign along the side that read “Florida is Rudy Country” pulled up. I thought the former Mayor of New York City would be getting off, but instead it was more press!

A red bus followed the first one. That one contained the candidate. The crowd roared as the candidate stepped off the bus. He waved to the crowd and began to shake hands.

I got a little anxious that I would never make it to the front to meet the candidate. I moved around in different directions trying to figure out the best way to get up close.

After repeated attempts to squeeze through the crowd, a campaign worker told me to go back to the press riser with all the rest of the media. She said the candidate might come back there to talk to the press.

After about five minutes, I realized Mayor Giuliani was going to get back on his bus and would soon be leaving—without talking to the press!

I immediately ran to the bus to see if I could get my question asked. I was standing next to him with my Scholastic News notebook opened and ready to go. I got his attention but he misunderstood what I wanted. While talking to other people, he took my notebook and signed it. I got his autograph, but no question! He got back on the bus and I thought that was it.

I waited around to see what would happen and about five minutes later he came back out! I had another chance.

When I tried to follow Giuliani along the side of the bus to the rear, one of the security guards stopped me. “You can’t go back there,” he said. A campaign volunteer who I met at the beginning of the rally, noticed me. He told the security guard to let me in because I was part of the press. I showed him my Scholastic News press badge and after carefully looking it over, he let me go by him.

Behind the bus, Giuliani was posing for pictures with Ms. Teen Coral Springs. My mom helped out by yelling out his name and he finally saw me. We asked for one more picture and he said, sure. He didn’t have time to take my question, though.

I wanted to ask him why my state is so important to presidential elections.

I was disappointed, but as Giuliani climbed back into his bus, I noticed Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, a Giuliani supporter. He was talking to another member of the press and so I got in on the deal, too.

I asked him about the importance of Florida to Giuliani’s campaign. Giuliani has been focusing all his campaign efforts on the Sunshine State.

“Florida is the key place and he [Giuliani] is doing the right thing by coming here,” he said.

He told me he is supporting Giuliani because he will help create a brighter future for kids like me.

“I think he would be great as President,” he said.

Covering this event was a lot of work and certainly a challenge, but I found that persistence pays off. And I’m sure, I’ll get my question in next time!

Photo: Juliette Johnson