Alumni Share Experiences Covering Midterm Election

With Senate up for grabs, SMPA panel discusses what will happen in November.

September 10, 2014

Campaign

Left to right: Emily Cahn, B.A. ’11; Reid Wilson, B.A. ’05; Shawna Thomas, B.A. ’02; and Anders Gyllenhaal, B.A. ’74, participate in the panel "Covering the Midterm Election," moderated by Professor Cheryl W. Thompson (far right).

 
In North Carolina, Clay Aiken has abandoned crooning to campaign as a Democrat for Congress. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) is battling for reelection in Kentucky, where his unpopular image could tilt the Republican state in favor of his Democratic opponent. Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) is struggling to attract voters after being indicted for tax evasion and fraud.
 
These are just some of the campaigns that Roll Call reporter Emily Cahn, B.A. ’11; Washington Post columnist Reid Wilson, B.A. ’05; "Meet the Press" senior editor Shawna Thomas, B.A. ’02; and The McClatchy Company vice president Anders Gyllenhaal, B.A. ’74, are watching as this year’s Senate and House races unfold.
 
The School of Media and Public Affairs brought the four alumni together for a panel to look at major players and potential upsets they predict in November’s midterm elections. Professor and award-winning Washington Post investigative reporter Cheryl W. Thompson moderated the discussion.
 
Although there are lively races playing out across the country, voter turnout during midterms is historically low. Voting might be even more abysmal this year in the face of Congressional gridlock and uninterested Americans who think they have no compelling reasons to cast ballots, Mr. Wilson explained. However, these elections hold more significance than some people might think, especially on the state level.
 
“These races are going to have a greater impact in your daily lives than the presidential election held in 2016, because the state legislature builds the road you drive to work on. They fund the school you send your kids to. They do everything that impacts your daily life,” Mr. Wilson said.  
 
Politicians are funneling more money than ever into their campaigns and finessing micro-targeting strategies to reach as many demographics as possible. In this year’s Senate races, tactics are critical—Democrats are hoping they can capture key states that will allow them to maintain a majority. But with President Obama’s ratings plummeting, the feat won’t be easy. Ms. Thomas pointed out the example of Louisiana, a state where Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) seems to be distancing herself from the president, showing that his star power isn’t cutting it with voters anymore. 
 
Incumbents also might feel the wrath of dissatisfied voters come Nov. 4. Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) made headlines when he was knocked out of the Virginia primary—something few reporters saw coming—and Sen. McConnell has to deal with his waning popularity to keep his seat.
 
“These days, being a legend in politics doesn’t protect you,” Mr. Gyllenhaal said.
 
There are several races the panelists will be talking about as Nov. 4 gets closer. Ms. Cahn has her eye on Iowa, which could elect its first female senator. Mr. Wilson is eager to see how Democrats fare in their campaigns to win the diverse state of Alaska. Mr. Gyllenhaal said gubernatorial races will be compelling, particularly in Florida, where Gov. Rick Scott (R) and Democrat Charlie Crist are in a tight battle.
 
Before securing jobs that require such close analyses of politics, each of the panelists honed their skills at GW. Ms. Cahn remembered sitting in the Jack Morton Auditorium as a student three years ago, watching journalists lecture from the same stage she stood on Wednesday evening.
 
For Ms. Thomas, the university’s location at the heart of the political world was critical to her career trajectory. In 2001, she saw a call on a student bulletin looking for runners to help Fox News with its coverage of President George W. Bush’s inauguration. She skipped class to volunteer. After the experience, she called the network repeatedly to ask about opportunities, eventually landing an internship that morphed into a part-time job. She urged students to be aggressive and jump at any chance to stand out from the pack.
 
“Always say ‘yes,’” she said. “Tomorrow, someone at NBC is going to look at their desk staff and ask, ‘Who wants to stay late to log the President’s speech?’ One of those desk assistants is going to raise their hands—and that’s the one I’m going to pay attention to.”