What a day!
Covering the second Presidential Debate certainly lived up to my expectations and it will definitely be an experience I never forget.
Sunday began with us arriving on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis around 7 a.m. to bring live reports for 41 Action News. There was a much different feel on Sunday on campus compared to Saturday. There was a much heavier presence of media, and a Secret Service security checkpoint was set up before entering the media area.
Inside the debate hall @WUSTL! Special #PresidentialDebate coverage on @41ActionNews all weekend long pic.twitter.com/zU9Hv7NKR5
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) October 8, 2016
After the live reports were finished, we walked around campus and took in the scenery and other media outlets doing shows. Fox News had a big outdoor studio on the quad, and we stopped by the MSNBC outdoor studio a stone's throw away. I saw Kasie Hunt, Kristin Welker, and many others I enjoy watching on Nightly News and the Today Show.
A typical "debate weekend moment" occurred while walking back to our media area. I ran into Nigel Farage, the man who was behind the Brexit campaign over in Europe. When covering this event, it is common to find yourself only a few feet away from either a famous newsperson or world leader. I spoke briefly with Farage, who said he supported Donald Trump and hoped to see immigration addressed during the debate.
Just spoke with @Nigel_Farage. Plans to attend #PresidentialDebate. Hopes to hear about issues like immigration pic.twitter.com/8QPflu35cZ
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) October 9, 2016
I took a break during the middle of the afternoon and headed back to our hotel. It was much needed. Coffee only goes so far when you are on the morning shift.
I headed back to campus with my photographer around 6 p.m. I did some quick Facebook Live videos and sent out some tweets before heading to Spin Alley for the debate.
Spin Alley madness: more crews showing up & surrounding people offering comments before #PresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/GJJXtEGJmp
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) October 10, 2016
It was a cool experience being in Spin Alley for the event. Many volunteers and news teams were also inside, sitting on chairs and the floor while taking in the debate.
With only about 15 minutes left in the debate, it quickly became packed in Spin Alley. Media outlets from around the country and world came to the area to try and snag interviews with politicians and campaign officials following the debate. Imagine a crowded room, with many lights and cameras, as journalists and photographers try to get around you, push through, and aggressively try and get an interview. It was a rush being there, trust me.
I spoke with a list of newsmakers in the political world; Trump Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway, Rev. Jesse Jackson, former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Presidential candidate Ben Carson.
Debate night was certainly an experience I was looking forward to beforehand and something I will never forget.
I want to give a BIG shout-out to the 41 Action News team. We all worked together and I believe we did a solid job covering such a large event.
Another BIG shout-out to the organizers and volunteers at Washington University in St. Louis. Thank you for putting on such a memorable debate night.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
