Denver Debate

Last week, KBYU sent me over to Denver to analyze the first presidential debate, and it was one cool experience. 

We left early Tuesday morning and drove the 8.5ish hours to Denver in one of BYU's luxurious 12-passenger vans. There were nine of us, two communications professors, four print journalists, 2 broadcast journalists, and one political science student. 

Tuesday night we got settled in, and prepped for the debate. For me, that meant going over the debate topics and subtopics and trying to anticipate which questions would be asked. It also meant that I needed to evaluate what each candidate needed to accomplish in order to "win."

On our way to University of Denver

Wednesday morning we were up bright and early and on our way to the University of Denver campus. After we got there we set up our work station, and then went to explore downtown Denver. We saw the state Capitol building, the Denver Post, City Hall, the Money Museum, and had lunch on 16th Ave. Denver's a pretty cool city. 

Money Museum

Downtown Denver

16th Ave

We spent the hours leading up to the debate at Debatefest, a huge rally complete with local bands, a live Twitter feed, and every issue/candidate booth you could ever imagine. 

Debatefest

Wednesday night was when I really started working. We watched the debate in a room full of reporters and as soon as the candidates started hugging their wives we went to work. Karen and Alexis wrote the broadcast package while I went to work on my analysis. I won't bore you with my complete analysis, but the nice thing about being an analyst and not a journalist is that I can be more adventurous in what I say. I can even declare a winner. Later that night, I talked to a few of the Daily Universe reporters about the debate and you can read their articles here and here.

A couple hours of sleep later we were on our way back to the University to film our segment. While we were waiting for the sun to come up and give us enough light to film, we literally ran into Senator Hatch(pretty unheard of), and were able to snag him for an interview. Those fancy D.C. people aren't usually around, so that was cool. He asked us when BYU girls got so beautiful, and we were sufficiently flattered. 

Senator Hatch

We filmed our bit, emailed the edited package back to BYU for the noon news and hopped back in the van to drive back to Provo. Here's a link to our 11 News at Noon segment, we're the first five minutes. Pretend my voice sounds normal, and that I'm not standing like a noob. It was cold, ok?

But in all seriousness this is one of the best experiences, if not the best experience, that I have had here at BYU. It's so awesome to have the opportunity to jump head first into field that you're interested in before you graduate. This quick trip reaffirmed my knowledge that politics is where I belong, and it feels pretty good. 

Colorado Captiol

PS: This is my 200th post!

Ready, Set, Legislate.

Started work in this building yesterday.

It's eerily quiet, but that will all change Monday.

Badge? Check. Suit pants? Check. Awkward bathroom photo? ...Check.

Our office, where @spnitz86 and I live.

Hi there, hello.

In case you thought any harm or ill will fell upon me New Year's Eve, be comforted that is not the case. I have not blogged because I have been very busy being a lazy bum, that is, until I start my new job!

Rewind.

I had a fabulous New Year's Eve evening with Katie and Alana(good luck Miss NV!) And, I had the great pleasure of being so tall I could see over the heads of most, if not all, of the people dancing. 

After exhausting my parent's hospitality, and watching the entire first season of Downton Abbey(WATCH IT NOW), Katie and I returned to a real treat: a snowless Provo.

But here's the exciting part:

I'm not taking classes this semester! Isn't it wonderful? I'm a beauty school drop out! 

Just kidding. I deferred for a semester because starting next Thursday I'll be a communications coordinator for the Utah House of Representatives! I'm so excited I literally wish I could start tomorrow. It may or may not be the greatest job on earth. 

Why, you ask?

Oh because I get to wear suit pants. And I have a badge. Also, free fountain drinks. My own office is thrown somewhere in there too. But really because I get to go to meetings in this beautiful building:

Just walking inside makes you feel more important. 

If you use Twitter and you want to know what we're up to, follow @UtahReps. (I'll be the one tweeting, what what.)

PS- Did I mention suit pants?

The Dynasty Continues

The political domination of the Stolworthy family continues! We are basically the Kennedys... because Al won her race! She is now President Ally Stolworthy of the sixth and seventh grade. 

Congrats lady!

Mom and I went to watch Al give her campaign speech last Wednesday. We were considered guests, it felt good.

Somerset Middle School's election was completely dominated by girls. Seriously, there wasn't a single male candidate. 

And there you have it. Somerset Middle School has officially joined the Ally Rally.

*Please excuse my GIANT thumb.

Join the Ally Rally

Ally's making her political debut this week and I have no doubt her presidential campaign will be wildly successful.(It's in our blood.) A little taste of her strategy:

You don't need it Al, but good luck anyway!