Margaret BauerMEDIA FILING CENTER, ATHLETIC COMPLEX-For most of the day Friday, the media filing center was abuzz with activity. The major networks set up their spin booths and WUTV managed to get a space right next to CBS. WUTV reporters were aiming for more meta-media coverage, which will hopefully be part of a documentary to be shown at 22 other college campuses. Both campaigns also had space on opposite sides of the gym where they could position their top advisers for post debate commentary.
Most pundits circulated in and out of the center throughout the day. Mike McCurry, former Clinton press secretary, was surrounded by a gaggle of media whenever he was inside the room. McCurry noted that the job market facing today’s college students does not have enough jobs available to meet demand.
“The economy was beginning to weaken four years ago, but Bush came in and talked the economy into a recession,” McCurry said. “The priorities are not right in regards to fiscal policy.”
Other notable media outlets in attendance included two Al Jazeera correspondents. In addition to covering the debates here and in Miami, they plan to be live in Arizona next week as well. Chief correspondent Mohammed Alami noted that Iraqis will watch the debate closely.
“This is the best lesson for democracy in the Middle East,” said Alami. “You can see democracy in action live on television.”
CNN’s Candy Crowley, a St. Louis native, said she was glad to be back home, as she had the opportunity to visit with family while in town. She also noted that from what she gathered from people who were knowledgeable about the tedious debate negotiations, the Bush camp did not fight that hard to eliminate the town hall debate.
“You can’t afford to get Missouri mad at you,” Crowley said. “They were smart enough to see that going in.”
When the debate began, everyone watched from his or her respective tables. CNN’s Anderson Cooper watched cross-legged from the floor.
Volunteers from both the Bush and Kerry campaigns picked up the pace on handing out “rapid-response” rebuttals to Kerry’s flip-flopping and Bush’s “distorted view of reality” while the debate was televised. The Bush volunteers wore yellow hats with “W. 2004” emblazoned in blue.
Most of the media were pleased with the setup and particularly applauded the University for having golf carts available to shuttle people around campus. After having to walk long distance at the University of Miami, they said the golf carts provided a welcome relief.
One problem facing the media and everyone else in the complex was the lack of restroom facilities. The women’s restroom only had four functioning stalls and at around 6:30 that night a line of over 30 people had formed, wrapping almost down the stairs leading back to the filing center.