The Dallas Morning News
I completed a two-week internship with The Dallas Morning News during the 2012 Republican National Convention held in Tampa, Florida. I worked under the Dallas Morning News Managing Editor and the Chief Political Editor. While in Tampa, I conducted interviews with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz, Texan Senator Ted Cruz, and several members of the Texas Delegation. Two of my most memorable moments include being in the convention hall when Mitt Romney delivered his address and meeting Jon Voight. Below are two short clips I wrote during the RNC.
Blue state’s delegations get short shrift at GOP convention
30 August 2012
The Dallas Morning News
Laura Detter, Michael Friend, and Karen Evans
TAMPA, Fla. — When it comes to scoring prime real estate at the Republican convention, it doesn’t pay to be the birthplace of President Barack Obama.
The Hawaiian delegation — hailing from a state that gave its favorite son 72 percent of the vote in 2008 — traveled about as far as anyone to get here, only to learn it still was a good bit away from the action.
The very back corner of the convention floor, to be exact.
“Stuck way out in left field this year, but I guess that’s how a majority of the country views the state,” said Joe Kent of Maui.
Such is the life of a blue-headed stepchild in the GOP.
While reliably Republican states usually earn VIP treatment — although the Texas delegation has been shipped to the boonies this year in both its lodging and floor spot — states that typically are Democratic strongholds tend to get short shrift.
Hawaii is among the “don’t bother” states for Mitt Romney this fall.
But along with that come an underdog spirit, self-deprecating humor and the sympathy of the other delegates.
And to be honest, you probably won’t hear many complaints: Most are simply happy to be among friends for the first time in four years.
Here’s a look, along with Obama’s winning percentage over rival John McCain:
District of Columbia
OBAMA, 93 PERCENT
For all the bashing Republicans do of the nation’s capital, it might come as a surprise that there are a few GOP die-hards in the place where Obama recorded his biggest vote haul by percentage.
But “we have a good Republican organization, and we have made progress,” said delegate Tom Korologos.
District Republicans admit they are far outnumbered by their Democratic counterparts, but they’re not going to give up.
“You’ve got to fight for what you believe,” said delegate Jayne Plank, who served in the Ronald Reagan administration.
Vermont
OBAMA, 67 PERCENT
Vermont Republicans remain a bit sheepish about their state’s role in the 2004 presidential election. That’s when their former governor, Howard Dean, earned headlines for a famously overenthusiastic speech in his failed Democratic presidential bid.
“Howard did make a big impression on some folks … the whole scream in Iowa thing,” said Craig Bensen, chairman of the Vermont delegation. “He put Vermont on the map.”
But the Vermonters are enjoying the chance to meet with like-minded folks, especially those from true two-party states.
“We’ve been enjoying talking to states where there’s sort of a 50-50 split between Republicans and Democrats,” Bensen said. “We find that a refreshing mindset. We like to know that it can happen; it encourages us.”
Rhode Island
OBAMA, 63 PERCENT
Delegate Daniel Harrop gets asked all the time, “Oh, there are Republicans in Rhode Island?”
“There are a few,” he tells them.
Rhode Island has voted for a Republican president only once since 1976, and the 19 delegates this year have no delusions of grandeur about their spot in the GOP.
But those gathered in Tampa remain confident, if realistic, about the future.
“We do have quite a bit of work to do,” said David Aiello, a delegate from Scituate.
Staff writer Tom Benning contributed to this report.
As Republicans convene, Democrats aren’t idle
26 August 2012
The Dallas Morning News
Laura Detter
Amid official Republican business and sponsored events, Democrats are ready to do battle, too.
Their “war room,” from where the party will counter the GOP message, bears the name “Romney Economics: Wrong for the Middle Class.” It’s sponsored by the Democratic National Committee and President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign and will feature events each day the GOP convenes in Tampa.
While part of the programming will focus on attacking the Romney-Ryan plan, the speakers will also make their case for Obama and his efforts to help the middle class. Democrats are also sponsoring a mobile billboard and an airplane banner to spread the message.