Unconventional
Tufts students get a front-row look
at the political process at the Democratic National Convention
photos by Mark Ostow
One of our toughest challenges at Tufts Magazine is keeping
up with Tufts students, especially since they have a talent
for taking their education outside the classroom. Recently
we caught up with four undergraduates who had the chance
to rub elbows with the American political process.
They were among the nearly 50 interns with media
organizations covering the Democratic National Convention
in Boston—five were also
asked by NBC to continue on to the Republican National Convention
in New York. Tufts alumni gave undergraduates a close-up view.
Neal Shapiro, A80, president of NBC News, sponsored interns.
Alan Solomont, A70, former national finance chair of the Democratic
National Convention, helped match ten students with key players—among
them another Tuftonian, the Honorable William B. Richardson,
A70, F71, H97, governor of New Mexico and permanent chair of
the Democratic National Convention. Many students also augmented
their convention experiences with a five-week summer course
at the Experimental College, “Civic Engagement and Internships
at the DNC,” taught by Roberta Oster Sachs, senior lecturer,
University College/Communications and Media Studies, who also
coordinated the internships. Sachs, formerly a producer with
NBC, said the internships were a rare “teachable moment” for
students curious about the inner workings of American politics. “All
the news organizations tried to work with local students because
they know the city,” says Sachs. “Tufts students
had an exciting opportunity to be at the epicenter of
this historic event and to appreciate the importance
of civic engagement.”
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Name
Emily Meyer, A05
Major
English and minor in Communications and Media Studies
internship
I interned as a runner for FOX News at its Boston Harbor
Hotel location, which served as
a satellite broadcast point during the convention. I assisted
producers, worked with individuals responsible for booking
guests on the newscasts, and attended to the news anchors’ last-minute
assignments.
most exciting part
Watching the news process unfold was a fantastic chance for
me to apply my knowledge of journalism and my experience with
documentary filmmaking. By working closely with the production
team, I learned that the smallest details can sometimes have
the greatest impact on a broadcast. It was exhilarating to
witness the live news broadcasts, and to feel that I was a
part of the history-making process. Also, by interning from
the media standpoint, I saw a unique view of the inner working
of political conventions.
met/exceeded expectations
I had worked at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in
Los Angeles, and my recent experience with “Producing
TV Programs for Social Change” had heightened my interest
in the interaction between politics and journalism. Being
able to synthesize both these passions was incredible. Because
the media is such an integral part of today’s society
and has such a large impact on campaigns, I felt that being
a part of a news team put me in the center of the convention.
As a runner, I had great access and witnessed the filming
of important interviews.
life after tufts
I hope to pursue a career that combines my interests of journalism
and filmmaking. Media is powerful conduit for communication,
especially as technology advances. By working in either film
or television, I hope to produce innovative, informative,
and creative news pieces. In particular, I want to reach out
to the youth audience because I feel that there are not enough
programs that speak to this incredibly important sector of
society.
Name
Bharat Burman, A05
Major
Political Science and Community Health, Pre-Med
internship
I worked for the chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party,
Philip Johnston, and executive director Susan Thompson. We
hosted the Massachusetts delegates at the Copley Fairmont
Plaza and manned the operations room. My primary duties were
to set up the celebrity breakfast each day at the hotel, travel
to the various events with Johnston and Thompson during the
day, and work at the parties. Basically, we assisted with
their needs and shared in their enthusiasm. I was able to
go to the convention with the delegates for the last two nights.
most exciting part
The unity that all of the delegates and other Democrats shared
throughout the week. Everyone was excited to be in Boston
and in full support of John Kerry. Democrats from around
the country came together to rally for the same cause,
and this was such a powerful display. I felt like we were
all in the same boat the whole week, and it was a very
friendly feeling.
surprise factor
How smoothly the convention ran throughout the week. Boston
did all the right things to ensure everything went according
to plan. Another big surprise was Kerry’s speech.
In my opinion, he really nailed it.
met/exceeded expectations
The experience absolutely exceeded my expectations. To tell
you the truth, I had no idea what to expect, so I thought
I would be doing grunt work the whole time. I got lucky and
was on the frontlines of every event the Massachusetts Democratic
Delegation held, and
went to the FleetCenter on the two best nights. I felt like
a student delegate, if such a thing exists. This was my first
hands-on experience in the field. It opened my eyes and brought
what I had learned in class to life.
life after tufts
I’ve always wanted to be active in some part of the
political process, and this internship granted me many great
opportunities. Obviously, the fact that it was in Boston this
year sweetened the deal. I’m pre-med, so my first goal
is to get into medical school. However, I’m interested
in healthcare policy and lobbying for Congress. We’ll
see what happens.
Name
Larry Mahl, A05
Major
History
internship
I worked for the Specials unit of NBC News in New York, which
covers breaking news of national importance and long-term
planning for events such as elections and conventions. My
primary responsibilities included conducting in-depth research
for the conventions and assisting the producers in the control
room during breaking news. I was given the responsibility
of being the point person for the DNC Research Guide that
the interns put together. This research guide was primarily
for producers and anchors like Tom Brokaw.
most exciting part
The political process, though frustrating and cynical at times,
is part of our daily lives and can serve to create social
change on a large scale and I wanted a front-row seat. Being
a fly on the wall at the convention for the last three nights
and feeling the incredible amount of positive, hopeful energy
served as a strong counterpoint to the apathy that the political
process often receives and gives me hope that in the future
more Americans will see that political process as an integral
part of their life.
surprise factor
The most pleasant surprise at the convention was Al Sharpton’s
speech, which continued long after the teleprompter was silent.
It was the most unscripted moment of the carefully conceived
convention, and one of the most honest.
met/exceeded expectations
The experience overwhelmed my expectations in a way that I
never would have imagined. life after tufts I want to be a
broadcast journalist and make social change and politics a
hot-button issue among America’s youth through uncompromised
honesty and humor by way of the Internet. Too many young people
aren’t paying attention to what is happening in America
and I don’t want to see my generation, and those that
follow, suffer the affects of apathy in the future.
Name
Patrice Taddonio, A05
Major
English and minor in Communications and Media Studies
internship
I worked as a text editor for the Associated Press, and I
was stationed in the press pavilion adjoining the FleetCenter.
I was responsible for tracking down the as-prepared texts
of the day’s speeches, cleaning up and formatting them,
and preparing them for
transmission over the wire to AP bureaus all across the United
States so that AP reporters nationwide had accurate speech
text in a timely manner. Though most of my time was spent
in the press pavilion, I also got to go out on the FleetCenter
floor and mingle with other members of the press, as well
as political heavyweights like General Wes Clark—a personal
hero of mine—and Terry McAuliffe. Very exciting!
surprise factor
I knew what was going to come out of Senator/Congressperson
so-and-so’s mouth before he/she even hit the podium.
It was very interesting to see how each speaker handled the
prepared text. For example, Al Sharpton and Barney Frank only
adhered to it very loosely, while John Edwards and John Kerry
added some rhetorical flourishes but pretty much stuck to
the text.
met/exceeded expectations
The experience exceeded my expectations. I was given responsibilities
and access much greater than I had anticipated. I’ve
always been interested in journalism in general; I’m
features editor at the Tufts Daily, I wrote for the Improper
Bostonian magazine, and I currently write for Tufts eNews.
Political journalism has always been particularly appealing
to me, so the prospect of helping a major news organization
to cover the DNC was absolutely thrilling.
life after tufts
I hope to delve right into the world of print journalism,
and my experience with the AP at the DNC has only made me
more excited to do so. Communicating with people through writing
is something that’s both personally and professionally
rewarding. Ideally, I’d like to be at the 2008 DNC as
a reporter for the AP, Time, Newsweek, the Globe, or the Times—and
at the 2012 DNC as an editor!
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