RNC here I come! From July 10-22 I will be in Cleveland, OH taking part in a two week educational experience with the Washington Center.
During the first week I will becoming acclimated to Cleveland, attend academic seminars, and participate in a host of events taking place afterwards. Academic topics include the history of U.S. political campaigns and the conventions, the nominating process, convention planning and procedures, party organization, campaign finance and media coverage. I will be required to keep a journal and complete essay assignments throughout.
During the second week of the convention I will engage as a participant observer behind the scenes, in a placed field work assignment which can include; conducting interviews, hosting committees and state delegations, and media.
Below is a succinct explanation of each field work position.
Political Party – There are three different types of political fieldwork positions – state delegation, the national political parties’ committees, and a candidate's campaign office. Note – You are gaining a firsthand look at fundraising and a better understanding of message development.
State Delegation – TWC places students with their home state delegations. This placement allows students to network and make connections in their home state, assist with state delegation breakfast meetings, evening events, and assist with distributing credentials to the delegates, help run the state delegation office, and assist with coordinating press interviews. In addition some students have also been assign to help specific elected officials from their state delegation. A key issue in this elections for both political parties is strategizing to be sure voters complete their ballots and don't just vote for President or stay home because they don't love the top of their political party's ticket. This will likely be a conversation at State Delegation Breakfasts.
National Political Parties Committees – At the Republican National Convention it includes the Committee on Arrangements (they are responsible for planning the republican Convention), the Republican National Committee, the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Republican National Congressional Committee, the College Republicans, the Young Republicans and the Republican Governors Association. The types of responsibilities vary for these positions. Students may be assisting at fundraising events, helping with their PR or press shop, manning the VIP skybox, or checking credentials.
Candidate Campaign Office - the presumed nominee needs a public presence in the City of the Republican National Convention. He will likely have a rally or two, hold press conferences, and have phone banks to solidify support from Convention Delegates. If there is a contested election and multiple candidates vying for the nomination, they will all have campaign offices and they will be trying to convince enough delegates to side with them on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th ballot for the nomination.
Media – TWC has established some strong partnerships with several media organizations. Generally students are placed in three types of positions.
1. Runner – runner may be picking up guests to be interviewed, they may be running between the media work space to another location where they are actually filming. This position generally will guarantee access to the media work space and sometimes guarantees access to the convention hall for short periods.
2. Assisting on air talent – Some of the larger networks (CNN & FOX) have in the past assigned students to serve as an assistant to one or more of their on air talent (anchor). Again this usually guarantees students access to the media workspace and may give students access to the convention hall.
3. Reporter/Photographer/Videographer – Some of the smaller news services or feed services will actually have students writing stories which are published, Shoot an event for b-roll, or collect sound for a radio story. These positions generally guarantee access to the media work space and may give access to the convention hall. This position allows students to build their professional portfolio.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to take part in an event that is the start of a new era for American politics!!!
Please leave you email address in the comments if you wish to receive daily updates about my convention experience and to ask me any questions!!
During the first week I will becoming acclimated to Cleveland, attend academic seminars, and participate in a host of events taking place afterwards. Academic topics include the history of U.S. political campaigns and the conventions, the nominating process, convention planning and procedures, party organization, campaign finance and media coverage. I will be required to keep a journal and complete essay assignments throughout.
During the second week of the convention I will engage as a participant observer behind the scenes, in a placed field work assignment which can include; conducting interviews, hosting committees and state delegations, and media.
Below is a succinct explanation of each field work position.
Political Party – There are three different types of political fieldwork positions – state delegation, the national political parties’ committees, and a candidate's campaign office. Note – You are gaining a firsthand look at fundraising and a better understanding of message development.
State Delegation – TWC places students with their home state delegations. This placement allows students to network and make connections in their home state, assist with state delegation breakfast meetings, evening events, and assist with distributing credentials to the delegates, help run the state delegation office, and assist with coordinating press interviews. In addition some students have also been assign to help specific elected officials from their state delegation. A key issue in this elections for both political parties is strategizing to be sure voters complete their ballots and don't just vote for President or stay home because they don't love the top of their political party's ticket. This will likely be a conversation at State Delegation Breakfasts.
National Political Parties Committees – At the Republican National Convention it includes the Committee on Arrangements (they are responsible for planning the republican Convention), the Republican National Committee, the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Republican National Congressional Committee, the College Republicans, the Young Republicans and the Republican Governors Association. The types of responsibilities vary for these positions. Students may be assisting at fundraising events, helping with their PR or press shop, manning the VIP skybox, or checking credentials.
Candidate Campaign Office - the presumed nominee needs a public presence in the City of the Republican National Convention. He will likely have a rally or two, hold press conferences, and have phone banks to solidify support from Convention Delegates. If there is a contested election and multiple candidates vying for the nomination, they will all have campaign offices and they will be trying to convince enough delegates to side with them on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th ballot for the nomination.
Media – TWC has established some strong partnerships with several media organizations. Generally students are placed in three types of positions.
1. Runner – runner may be picking up guests to be interviewed, they may be running between the media work space to another location where they are actually filming. This position generally will guarantee access to the media work space and sometimes guarantees access to the convention hall for short periods.
2. Assisting on air talent – Some of the larger networks (CNN & FOX) have in the past assigned students to serve as an assistant to one or more of their on air talent (anchor). Again this usually guarantees students access to the media workspace and may give students access to the convention hall.
3. Reporter/Photographer/Videographer – Some of the smaller news services or feed services will actually have students writing stories which are published, Shoot an event for b-roll, or collect sound for a radio story. These positions generally guarantee access to the media work space and may give access to the convention hall. This position allows students to build their professional portfolio.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to take part in an event that is the start of a new era for American politics!!!
Please leave you email address in the comments if you wish to receive daily updates about my convention experience and to ask me any questions!!
