Mommy Moments
The Final Presidential Debate
By Krista Martinelli
So you might already know that I was lucky enough to be at the third and final Presidential Debate on October 22nd, 2012 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, since I’ve been talking it up a lot lately. To clarify I was actually in the next door “spin room” with the rest of the reporters – not actually in the debate hall, and that was a terrific, interesting place to be too. I was able to mingle with local, national and international journalists, as well as Congressman and Senators. I usually try to stay away from politics in my AroundWellington writings, and after writing a somewhat lengthy and well-researched argument in favor of one candidate, I’ve decided to not publish it. As my husband who’s wiser on these matters explained, “This is a very 50/50 race for the President – and you don’t want to risk annoying half of your readers.” But since I spent some time on it, if anyone would like to read it, just email me (editor@aroundwellington.com), subject “Election from a Mom’s Perspective” and I would be happy to email it to you.
Meanwhile I’d like to share the Top Ten Cool Things I Experienced at the Debate (as a first-timer to such a major historical event).
As a mother of two young kids, I do appreciate the last thing that
moderator Bob Schieffer said, in the words his mother used to say, “Go vote. It makes you feel big and strong.”
Top Ten Cool Things I Experienced at the Debate
10. Seeing reporters give their on-camera reports in many different languages
9. Getting a transcript of the debate, handed out in 2 sections during the debate. Nice…that makes things so much easier!
8. Seeing the Conan O’Brien guys and Triumph the Comic Insult Dog in action
7. Having seats (for photographer Carol Porter & Myself), which were not too easy to come by, in the Spin Room.
6. Seeing Senator John McCain and Cindy McCain get their make-up applied as they were rushed into a quick post-debate interview
5. Almost literally bumping into Chuck Todd, the master of polling statistics
4. Hearing a big laugh from almost the entire media room when Obama responded to Governor Romney’s concern about “fewer ships,” saying … “we also have fewer horses and bayonets.” This was the only line that got a rise out of reporters during the entire debate.
3. Riding the late-night shuttle bus back to the parking lot with a news producer from PBS, a young woman who had some very good stories about this year’s season of debates.
2. Seeing the post-debate media mayhem, with Senators, Congress members and spokespeople coming on the floor for interviews, immediately after the debate…with lots of elbowing and jockeying for position among the reporters.
1. Seeing a Democratic and Republican Congressman “reach across the aisle” for what appeared to be a sincere hug (see our “Photo Gallery”).