In The Spin Room

By Mitchell Lewis

The media/spin room was huge. It was a gym with really high ceilings. The walls were lined with TV booths separated by dark blue curtains. Wiring was everywhere!  The middle of the room was filled with rows and rows of tables covered with white cloths. An aisle divided the tables with a raised floor covering all the wiring running to people's computers and phone lines.

It felt busy all the time. Everyone was running around. You could tell that everyone had a goal and purpose. No one was lounging around. Everyone had something they were trying to accomplish. It was a room full of people gathering information and distributing it as quickly as possible.

During the debate, the room was quiet. You might hear a few laughs if a candidate made a funny remark, but other than that, all eyes were on the giant TVs stationed on the tables throughout the room. Some people handed out papers to the media during the debate. Mostly the papers were from the McCain campaign.

At the end of the debate, surrogates representing each candidate came out from the debate hall to talk to the media. Journalists surrounded each one to get his or her take on what happened. Senator Joseph Lieberman had one of the biggest crowds around him. Lieberman is a Democrat turned Independent who supports McCain. He is a Senator from Connecticut and was Al Gore's Vice Presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket in 2000. I was not able to break through the crowd to get to him

It's hard to do, but when you finally get a surrogate's attention and get to ask a question, you get their entire attention. They give you the answers you need.

When people first started coming into the spin room after the debate, you could feel the anticipation in the room building. Everyone had a job to do and they had to do it quickly. Everyone was intent on getting the job done. I had a midnight deadline and only about 30 minutes to get the quotes for my story! I still had to write it and email it in so it could be posted before 1 a.m.

For me the excitement was all about being there. My favorite part of the whole day was talking to the students on campus before the debate. They talked about things that meant something to me. What they said made more sense to me than what the surrogates said. The students talked about what people my age are really worried about now. I'm not worried about what kind of job I'm going to have when I'm out of college. I'm worried about getting INTO college and being able to afford it. I'm worried about the environment and the kinds of things Hofstra's students talked to me about today.

I don't want to keep using the word exciting, but the whole experience was just that. Exciting and intense.

This was the final debate before Election Day on November 4. That's less than THREE  weeks away!

PHOTO: The Press Room at the 3rd Presidential Debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on October 15, 2008. Photo by Kid Reporter Mitchell Lewis.

Why Hofstra Turned Green for the Debate

By Mitchell Lewis

Hofstra students are VERY passionate about the environment. Everywhere we looked, we saw students in green T-shirts and kids wearing green stickers. They want “green” jobs, “clean” coal, and efficient energy sources. One guy was even dressed in a green Spandex outfit from head to toe. He told Scholastic News Online that his outfit was “a joke,” but he hoped it would call attention to global warming and to his preferred candidate, Barack Obama.

“Of course I’ll be voting,” one 18-year-old student told Scholastic News Online. “I want to be able to say to my grandkids that I helped change history.”

Which issue is most important to her? The environment.

“There’s no such thing as clean coal,” she says. “It’s a myth. It’s a little bit cleaner [than regular coal] but it’s still so harmful. We need reliable sources that are renewable, that are sustainable, like wind power and solar power.”

PHOTO: One Obama supporter came dressed all in green to show his support for the environment. Photo by Suzanne McCabe

Before the Hofstra Debate

By Mitchell Lewis

The minute you walk onto the campus of Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, you are hit with a feeling of excitement. Everywhere there is talk of the upcoming debate, the candidates, and the issues. Many people have large signs, buttons, and stickers supporting either Barack Obama or John McCain. Hofstra students seem most concerned about the troubled economy, green jobs, and clean coal. One student, an Obama supporter, is even dressed entirely in green!

There are not only students here, but people from across the country. They have come to witness a historic event, the final presidential debate before the November 4 election. In a few weeks, voters will either choose the first African-American President or the first woman Vice President.

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Mitchell Lewis talks to a Hofstra University student interested in candidates have to say about the environment and clean energy. Photo by Suzanne McCabe

Whirlwind of a Spin Room

By Kid Reporter Aaron Broder

Following the debate was one of the toughest parts of the night -- the Spin Room, where the media tent is transformed into a battleground between representatives for each of the campaigns. Everyone crowded around the various dignitaries hoping to get a quote. Although it was tough, I managed to get a few sound bites as to why each campaign thought their candidate had won.

Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts said that "Barack Obama had nothing. On the big foreign policy question of the night, which is 'would you go into Israel?' John McCain said yes, but Barack Obama dodged the question." Romney also praised McCain for his economic policies, a sentiment shared by Deputy Chairman of the RNC Frank Donatelli. "I think that the new part of the debate was John McCain's resurgance homeownership plan. I think that is something that appeals directly to the middle class."

"I think [Senator Obama] made a compelling case for change," said David Plouffe, the campaign manager for Obama. "Particularly on the big issues, health care, taxes, Iraq, Afgahnistan, we won those exchanges convincingly. Our opponents have not [been making a case for change]." Howard Dean, the chairman of the DNC also believed that Obama had done well last night, saying "I think McCain gave a good closing statement but I don't think he sounded like a president."

After that, it was off to work on my article.

From Top to Bottom: Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney speaks with Scholastic News.
Frank Donatelli, Deputy Chairman of the RNC, says why he thinks McCain won the debate.
David Plouffe, Senator Obama's campaign advisor, surrounded by reporters in the spin room.
Howard Dean, the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee  talks to Scholastic News.
Photos by Sue Broder

Members of Congress Speak Out

By Aaron Broder

Reporters aren’t the only ones in the media tent at tonight's presidential debate. Dignitaries representing the two candidates are also here, to let people know about why their candidate should be elected. I got to speak with two congressmenmbers from Tennessee, one from each party, to see what they expected from tonight’s debate.

Representative Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, said that at this debate, you would be able to see Senator McCain “come out and talk about where he stands on issues."

"I think that you are going to see Barack Obama trying to defend his position," she explained. "The American people need to hear what his association is with William Ayers. He needs to explain some of the ties he has had with some that may not agree with us on foreign policy.”

Meanwhile, Representative Jim Cooper said that he was looking forward to “very good questions from local people."

"These are real people with real concerns about the direction of our country," he said. "So I think this is going to be the best debate we’ve ever had. I think he [Obama] is a lot more in tune with average Americans, and he is completely in touch with what is happening in society today. John McCain is a fine man, but his day to be President was years ago. Not now.”

PHOTOS: Top: Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) explains why Senator John McCain would make a good president.
Bottom: Jim Cooper, a Democrat Representative from Tennessee, talks about tonight's presidential debate. Photo by Sue Broder

Town Hall Debate Mixes Things UP

By Aaron Broder

Tonight’s debate is not like any of the others. It is a town hall debate, with questions coming from the audience rather than the moderator. And the audience in this case is a group of undecided voters, selected by the Gallup Organization. This creates a different dynamic than the traditional format, a dynamic, says two reporters from NBC, that could mix things up a bit.

Lee Cowan, a reporter who has been traveling with the Obama campaign, says that the town hall setting will be good for Obama.

“Barack Obama has been doing it [town hall meetings] a lot of late," he said.  "He likes taking his coat off and being able to walk around. He doesn’t like having to be sort of anchored. I think it makes him look a little more relaxed, a little more comfortable.”

Cowan also thinks that the town hall debate will  make it harder for McCain to go on the offensive.

“It might be a little bit harder to do that in a Town Hall kind of format," he said. "Unless the audience ask sthe questions in a certain way it’s going to be hard for him to turn it around and make it about Obama’s character.”

Kelly O’Donnell, who has been following McCain’s campaign for NBC agrees.

“When you are looking right at the faces of voters and you’re also looking at your opponent, it is harder to do the sort of ugly kind of campaigning that can happen in TV ads or with people who work for you,” she told me.

However, she believes that McCain could easily turn the debate to his advantage. “Hearing from voters who will ask the questions is the chance for the unpredictable to happen," she said. "So McCain will try to show his personality. He will try to draw contrast between his views in history and that of Obama.”

Be sure to watch and see what you think. You can send in comments there by clicking on the comments link below.

PHOTOS: Top: Lee Cowan, who has been traveling with the Obama campaign on behalf of NBC since Christmas Day 2007, talks to Kid Reporter Aaron Broder.
Bottom: Kelly O'Donnell, the NBC reporter who has been traveling with the McCain campaign, gives her take on how the town hall format could work at tonight's debate. Photos by Sue Broder

Pouring Down in Issues Alley

By Aaron Broder

It’s pouring rain in Nashville, Tennessee, this afternoon, just before the second of three presidential debates. But that hasn’t kept people away from Acklen Ave., a.k.a. Issues Alley, where people of all ages are getting together to support their candidate. I took to the streets, too, to find out what people were looking for in tonight’s debate.

In the alley there were supporters for both Senators Obama and McCain, all eager to share their views. Cameron Pruette, wearing a “Students for McCain-Palin” shirt, said that he was looking for discussion on foreign policy issues. “The President has more power over foreign policy than domestic issues, and I feel that McCain has a stronger stance on foreign policy,” he said.

Meanwhile, IAFF Fire Fighters for Obama-Biden were also proudly wearing their support on their shirts. They weren’t as concerned about what was going to come up in tonight’s debate. “There is nothing,” said Chris Polk “that is going to sway my opinion of Barack Obama. I support him because he is pro-labor, pro-choice, and the epitome of the American Dream.”

It wasn’t only people supporting the candidates out in the streets. Several nonpartisan organizations set up shop to broadcast their causes. One of these organizations was none other than MySpace, the popular social networking site, which is hosting the IMPACT Channel, a place where MySpace users can make their voices heard in response to the campaigns. The IMPACT Channel can be visited at impact.myspace.com.

Check back later as the debate begins to follow events as they unfold.

PHOTOS: Top: Cameron Pruette, a student at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, explains why he supports Senator McCain.

Bottom: Chris Polk and Stan Knight, two local fire fighters and Senator Obama supporters talk with Scholastic Kid Reporter Aaron Broder. Photos by Sue Broder

Spinning!

By DeMarian Williams

Just finished the spin room. Very hectic! People push and shove to get their questions answered by the surrogates representing the two candidates. It was also very loud, and no matter where you stood, you were always in some camera shot. If anyone knows me in Kansas City or St. Louis, you can see me on Fox 2 news in the background!

I spoke to Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Linda Douglass, Obama's media spokesperson. Everyone thought their person won and many went into detail.

"Sarah Palin is shaking things up in Alaska and John McCain is shaking things up in Washington," Graham said. "I hope your generation will think long and hard before deciding, so we can get the next four years right."

"She's effective, she's been a Governor," said fellow Governor Bill Richardson, who was also a presidential candidate in the Democratic primary. "But she can't compare to Joe Biden. She memorizes her talking points, but when it comes to answering questions about the differences between Senator Obama and Senator McCain, she doesn't know the issues. She couldn't go beyond her talking points."

When asked what he thought was Biden's strongest point, he told Scholastic News it was all about Biden's experience.

"Biden's strongest point was his knowledge of foreign and domestic policy," Richardson said. "It's his 30 years in the Senate. He was calm, he was respectful and it showed."

One thing you can tell in the spin room is how important someone is. the bigger the name, the bigger the crowd around that person. Getting next to Mayor Rudy Giuliani or Senator Joe Lieberman was almost impossible. They were probably the biggest names in the room. They also spent most of their time in front of cameras and not with the print media hanging out waiting for a quote.

TOP PHOTO: South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham talks to reporters in the spin room at Washington University in St. Louis, MIssouri, host of the vice presidential debate on October 2, 2008.

BOTTOM PHOTO: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson with Kid Reporter DeMarian Williams after the vice presidential debate. Photos by Suzanne Freeman

 

Folksy stuff

By Demarian Williams

"Say it ain't so, Joe." Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin winked, she emoted, she gave a shout out to third graders in Alaska who she said "will get extra credit for watching this debate."

She also said "you betcha," "Bless their hearts," and "gosh." A lot. And then there was the "gosh darn it." Palin is certainly  showing a lot of energy, but Joe Biden is holding his own, too. He points out where he thinks she is wrong and has been very straightforward and factual. Both styles are interesting to watch.

One problem we are having here in the press filing room is that the circuit from the debate hall keeps squeaking. It hurts everyone's ears and happens about every two to three minutes.

Before The Debate

By DeMarian Williams

Outside the Debate Hall there were a lot of bright lights and  cameras. Everyone was dressed up in suits and fancy clothes. I interviewed Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and Missouri Senator Kit Bond. This was an very exciting experience. I also interviewed a few Obama-Biden and McCain-Palin supporters. basically they said they want to hear substance on the issues.

Governor Blunt pointed to the good decisions she had made for the people of Alaska. I asked him what he thinks Palin needs to do to convince independent voters to cast their ballots for her.

"I think Governor Palin needs to talk about the issues in an informed way but also really connect them to the good decisions she's made as Governor of Alaska," said Matt Blunt, a fellow Governor. "Alaska is a complicated state. She's made good decisions that have delivered good results for the people of her state. I think she can do that for the United States."

Missouri Senator Kip Bond stopped quickly to explain to me that he is here at the debate in his role as chair of the McCain-Palin campaign in the state. "I came here to work for the McCain-Palin ticket," he said.

Nancy Cross won her ticket to the debate in a lottery at her work. She supports Obama. I asked her what Biden needs to do to win independent voters.

"I think he needs to lay out his plans and let people see the real Joe Biden and be positive and talk about the future of America," she said. "I hope tonight to see some good conversations between the two of them so we might find out a little more information about who Sarah Palin is and what she stands for."

PHOTO: Missouri Governor Matt Blunt talks to Kid Reporter DeMarian Williams at the vice presidential debate in St. Louis on Thursday, October 2, 2008. Photo by Suzanne Freeman