This past Tuesday, I attended a political rally in Lancaster, PA with a friend. We went to see Mike Pence, the vice president nominee for Donald Trump in the 2016 elections. No matter what your politics are, this was an interesting trip for me, personally. I'm studying to be a journalist at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey, and seeing the media at work was a good learning experience. I got a sense of seeing how some media members do their work by watching them scout the crowd for their next interview or watch people walk up to the microphones. Also seeing how people who think a like can get along and form new friendships.
When I pulled up to the rally, I saw the media news trucks outside the hotel. Then, as I walked up, some reporters and camera man positioned by the front door. As I waited outside, they got closer and closer with some getting close to me but never asking me a actual question. Somewhat disappointed, I took the time to watch them do their thing and take notes on how they do it. I learned in my first journalism class last spring how to approach people and ask questions. All the reporters i saw had the done the same thing but had different techniques. One newsman randomly showed up in the crowd and started asking one man questions. Another flashed his press badge and then asked nicely if they would like to be interviewed. Both were interesting techniques that made me think how i would approach potential people.
Besides the media, it was a pleasure talking to some real nice people. The rally for Mike Pence was much smaller then any Trump rally. However, it looked bigger then any Hillary rally I've seen on television. As I waited outside for an hour in the hot August sun, I talked with some great local county people who were passionate about politics as you get.
It was an awesome experience to see from a journalist student side and an as someone interested in politics. I look forward to going to more political rally and taking notes on how media works and taking in more insight on how to be a reporter. I encourage anyone interested in politics to head to rally for their candidate and see what they are about. You can truly learn more about them from listening and maybe you will get to talk to a reporter or the candidate.
