White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

  • Home
  • About
  • 30th Anniversary Garden Brunch
  • Washington Insider
  • Archives
  • Contact

GOP Debate: From a Future Voter

August 18, 2015 By Rachel Greenberg

Tammy and Rachel - GOP Cleveland

“The most exciting thing about covering politics is that it unfolds in front of you, you never know what could happen.” My mother’s voice carried through the crisp Cleveland morning, bouncing off the grey walls of Quicken Loans Arena, or “The Q”. I nodded, shrugging it off in all my teenage glory. While mom can’t help me with my trigonometry, she really does know quite a bit about the campaign trail.

Upon entering the hall, it was impossible not to absorb the dynamic energy exuded by the audience. I never would have expected such vibrancy from the endless sea of suits. The moderators were seated, turning to face the crowd. They introduced themselves as if there were no stage, no debate, or even an audience; I realized they were talking to the TV cameras. The astounding cheer after FOX’s Megyn Kelly finished her greeting was a sign of what was yet to come in the first GOP Debate of the 2016 Election.

The room fell silent with the first question, the crowd desperately taking in the candidate’s words until the bell rang signifying the candidate’s time to answer was up; the rush to finish their thought made those words sound more like “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

Donald Trump provided a much needed contrast, even though his presence was disruptive to the serious and staged nature of the event. He has become the symbol of the distress and delusion of the American people, desperate for a new direction. America needs big changes, and Donald Trump is a living hyperbole. Mr. Trump and his debate theatrics highlight the need for a pragmatic leader.

Standing a few podiums away from Mr. Trump was Senator Marco Rubio, whose velveteen voice and eloquence made him seem all the more presidential. Former Governor Jeb Bush was criticized for being slightly shaky and seemed all knowing in comparison to Donald Trump. Mr. Trump provided this service to other candidates as well, making Governor Chris Christie seem more intellectual, and Dr. Ben Carson seem more qualified, securing the aura of what an experienced politician should be. This debate was the unfolding of my own political views, the unfolding of my journalistic aspirations, and what the campaign trail is really like.

This debate was also an introduction to both the Republican Party and election politics as a whole. The phenomenon of petty political parties resided in my mind for many years, flirting with stereotypes and labeled as the price of Democracy. This image has been torn to pieces by the riveting reality of the way this great nation chooses its leaders. And while I may be spending the majority of the road to 2016 in a classroom, one thing stands true, this election season will unfold before the American people with unprecedented vigor, and anything could happen. Just like my mother said.

Follow Volta Insider on Twitter @VOLTAINSIDER. Volta Insider is Rachel Greenberg’s podcast, which creates a web of intriguing interviews on the ever-changing realms of art, innovation, and politics.

Filed Under: 2016 election, Event Coverage, News Media, Uncategorized, Volta Insider Tagged With: Cleveland, GOP debate, Presidential Election, republican debate 2016, Republican National Party, VoltaInsider

TamCam: Chris Matthews and Toure discuss impact of race on election

October 22, 2012 By WHC Insider


Tammy Haddad with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and Toure

Filed Under: 2012 Election Tagged With: Chris Matthews, Presidential Election, Tammy Haddad, Toure

Search WHCInsider

2023 WHC Garden Brunch

About White House Correspondents Insider

Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it, from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos.

Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and CEO of Haddad Media.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

Cone of Silence Podcast

WHCA Seating Chart

Connect

  • YouTube
  • Flickr
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Apple
  • Google

Instagram

Yesterday @BlueStarFamilies officially kicked off the #DoYourPart campaign on Capitol Hill. BSF CEO @rothdouquet & @craignewmark joined @RepDonBacon, @RepHoulahan, @TimKaine, Michael Collins from @Starbucks & Heidi Andersen from @NextDoor for a briefing moderated by @jonkarl to launch the national campaign to address the quality-of-life challenges undermining our nation’s military members & their families.
CNN celebrates Dana Bash and her 30 years of reporting. The new host of Inside Politics was feted by democrats, republicans and media competitors in Washington DC.
The Birthday and Coronation of HM King Charles III reception at the British Embassy in DC
@themessenger @jimlaporta Important investigation of US Marines drinking contaminated water
Guests chat in front of Micron’s Wall of Memory at the CBS News WHCD after party. #CBSNewsAfterParty @we_are_micron
Megan Klink, Nikki Braden, Vinoda Basnayake, Lisa Vanderpump, Peyton Doyle and Jimmy Murrill at the #GardenBrunch
Sean Walsh, Lisa Vanderpump, and Daniel Lippman toasting the 30th Anniversary #GardenBrunch 🥂
The #GardenBrunch, Liev Schreiber and Amb. Oksana Markarova salute the work of Kathy Roth-Douquet and Blue Star Families, with special thanks to Craig Newmark
CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin, WME’s Henry Reisch and CNN’s Abby Phillip at the #GardenBrunch
#GardenBrunch guests Tinx, Brooke Hammerling, Kara Swisher, Amanda Katz, Phil Rucker and Josh Humphries
Retired Navy Corpsman and Bronze Star for Valor recipient Dr. Rich Jadic and Army Delta Force member Bo White, both of whom helped save Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall when he was wounded in Ukraine, Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin and Save our Allies co-founder Sarah Verardo attend the 30th Anniversary White House Correspondents' Garden Brunch.
Joe Berchtold, Evan Ryan, Maria Teresa Kumar, Rosario Dawson, Raj Kumar and Hilary Rosen at the #GardenBrunch

Copyright © White House Correspondents Insider

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.