11/05/2024
Hi from Florida, where I now live and where I covered my first election in 2009.
Back then, I was the dogged reporter in every newsroom I worked in—it’s both a blessing and a curse. I had a relentless work ethic. As one of the cub reporters at WVZN in Fort Myers, we were covering the Obama-Biden campaign, and they were planning a rally in our area in the months leading up to Election Day. I knew I wanted to land a big interview.
Somehow, I got close to one of the campaign’s lower-level assistants, and we were in touch about when and where they’d be. He promised to tip me off about a private fundraiser so I could grab some B-roll. Of course, he gave me the wrong time and location. I’d promised my newsroom I was going to get that video—and I didn’t..
But I wasn’t giving up. I kept calling him—over and over. I was relentless. Eventually, I got a lead: Biden was giving interviews to the local press that night. I told my executive producer the story, and she chuckled, telling me, “Go try”.
I got there, only national and select local reporters at other stations were getting in, the campaign guy was ghosting me. Then finally, he picked up and told me to meet him at the loading dock. I was getting my five minutes with Biden.
At this point, my newsroom was in full panic. They didn’t think I could pull off a seven-minute interview with the Vice President of the United States—especially since this was only my second year in the business.
I was wearing a baby blue suit with shoulder pads from Dillards (IYKYK). I walked into that small, secure room full of Secret Service agents. I set my bag down, made eye contact with Joe Biden—and then tripped, landing *right* into his crotch. Are you kidding me.
He caught me, smiled, and helped me up. Then he shook my hand. I muttered “Go Cuse!” (because we both went to Syracuse), pulled myself together, and went straight into the interview.
I tell this story because, one, it’s amazing — and two, Election Day can be incredibly stressful. If you’re chasing an interview, don’t give up after the first try—be tenacious, and most importantly, stay excited about what you do.
Happy Election Day!
