This was my
first national Presidential debate as press and I wasn't sure what to expect
and boy was it a learning experience..Who said an ole' dog can't learn new
tricks?
Outside the
Sands Expo Convention center the street was lined with sound trucks and police
cars..
There was an area set up like a TV stage where reporters were
interviewing candidates and Carl Cameron was pacing talking on his cell phone.
This was all before ten in the morning. The doors opened at 10 AM for us to
pass through a heavily secured area to pick up our press credentials.
Upon entering
the press area we had to pass through a yellow roped area equivalent to a crime
scene with an airport security walk through
with security guards checking your purse and equipment. Picked up my
credentials and headed for the press area.
Which looked
like a huge underground garage with a jillion banquet tables found my spot on
radio row and proceeded to set up my goodies (lap top, video camera etc.) On
one side I was next to Rich Johnson, Fox Radio National, the other Fox Las
Vegas, on our row was Ruth White, Breaking News Journal, ABC and CNN. CNN had
refreshments set up on both sides of the room and TV monitors scattered
throughout. I was lucky enough my assigned seat was next to a TV monitor and an
electric surge protector.
A couple of
rows up was Carl Cameron, Fox News a very nice guy Ruthie and I spent about 15
minutes talking with him.
Of course we couldn't record our conversation but it was very informative from a person who is on the campaign trail. We did learn he prides himself on being non-partisan in his reporting. Several rows down was my buds that I met at the 9-12 march. Stacy McCain, "The Other McCain", Smitty, "The Other McCain" and Kevin Trainor "Wambat"
Of course we couldn't record our conversation but it was very informative from a person who is on the campaign trail. We did learn he prides himself on being non-partisan in his reporting. Several rows down was my buds that I met at the 9-12 march. Stacy McCain, "The Other McCain", Smitty, "The Other McCain" and Kevin Trainor "Wambat"
My expectation
was that the candidates would mill through the press room, didn't happen, set
up next to the press room was curtained off area called the "spin
room" where after the debate the candidates or their spokesman could come
and take questions.
We were not allowed on the debate floor where the debate was being broadcast. Overall I was very impressed with how CNN had everything set up for the press down to a note book with a pen at your place.
We were not allowed on the debate floor where the debate was being broadcast. Overall I was very impressed with how CNN had everything set up for the press down to a note book with a pen at your place.
Randy Pullen my co-host on "Hair on Fire" KFNX
1100 News talk Radio was in the debate room with all of hoipoloi. His take was
that CNN revved up the audience with a "circus" like atmosphere.
That Anderson Cooper lost all control of the debate and they candidates took over. Resulting in talking over each other and making personal attacks. I didn't see any of this from the press area. We saw who was in attendance, Governor's from Arizona and Nevada plus other Republican State Chairman.
That Anderson Cooper lost all control of the debate and they candidates took over. Resulting in talking over each other and making personal attacks. I didn't see any of this from the press area. We saw who was in attendance, Governor's from Arizona and Nevada plus other Republican State Chairman.
