2008 Woodie Awards
Graduate shares experiences from McCain campaign trail
Courtney DiGiorgi, Reporter
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
Youngstown State University graduate Henry Gomez knows the perks of the press. In 2008, they've led him hot on the presidential campaign trail.
A reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Gomez has traveled along the trail and followed Arizona Sen. John McCain, the unofficial Republican presidential nominee. Before he became a reporter for a large newspaper, Gomez earned degrees in political science and journalism from YSU in 2003. Though his McCain followings lasted just a couple of days, Gomez said he was excited to have the experience.
"It's neat feeling like you're part of the national press core," he said. Other media following the McCain campaign with him included Fox and the Washington Post.
During the trip, Gomez did more than follow McCain around with a camera and reporter's notebook. He met the Republican nominee during a media briefing in Columbus. With about 15 to 20 other reporters, Gomez had the chance to speak with McCain.
Gomez said McCain's friendliness toward the press is nothing new. "They (media) say he's easy access to the press," he said.
Gomez questioned McCain on the scattered Republican Party. McCain replied by saying the solution to a corrupt party is work toward unification, plus instilment of the idea that the days of corruption are over.
With competition for the presidential race becoming more and more heated, Gomez commented on the media's role in publicizing presidential scandals, using sports as an analogy. "As a reporter, you don't root for good teams — you root for good stories."
When it comes to the McCain lobbyist scandal, Gomez made it clear that the Plain Dealer used the Washington Post newswire to run the story instead of the New York Times, mainly because of what each news source concentrated on as the main issue.
"The issue wasn't the affair; it was more about lobbyists getting special favors."
Gomez said the sex aspect of the story concerned television rather than print journalists.
After following the political campaign, Gomez commented on the candidates' attitudes toward the press, specifically Hillary Clinton's.
"The media has done a good job," he said. As far as Clinton's statement that she usually gets the first question during debates, Gomez said journalists tallied how many times she's been questioned first, and the results are approximately 14 out of 26. He said he thinks the reason behind Clinton's frustration was because she was down in the polls.
Gomez said he is confident that the Plain Dealer makes the most out of trying to cover all candidates equally. "We send reporters everywhere," he said. As far as coverage of scandals among president candidates, Gomez said, "News is our job."
A reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Gomez has traveled along the trail and followed Arizona Sen. John McCain, the unofficial Republican presidential nominee. Before he became a reporter for a large newspaper, Gomez earned degrees in political science and journalism from YSU in 2003. Though his McCain followings lasted just a couple of days, Gomez said he was excited to have the experience.
"It's neat feeling like you're part of the national press core," he said. Other media following the McCain campaign with him included Fox and the Washington Post.
During the trip, Gomez did more than follow McCain around with a camera and reporter's notebook. He met the Republican nominee during a media briefing in Columbus. With about 15 to 20 other reporters, Gomez had the chance to speak with McCain.
Gomez said McCain's friendliness toward the press is nothing new. "They (media) say he's easy access to the press," he said.
Gomez questioned McCain on the scattered Republican Party. McCain replied by saying the solution to a corrupt party is work toward unification, plus instilment of the idea that the days of corruption are over.
With competition for the presidential race becoming more and more heated, Gomez commented on the media's role in publicizing presidential scandals, using sports as an analogy. "As a reporter, you don't root for good teams — you root for good stories."
When it comes to the McCain lobbyist scandal, Gomez made it clear that the Plain Dealer used the Washington Post newswire to run the story instead of the New York Times, mainly because of what each news source concentrated on as the main issue.
"The issue wasn't the affair; it was more about lobbyists getting special favors."
Gomez said the sex aspect of the story concerned television rather than print journalists.
After following the political campaign, Gomez commented on the candidates' attitudes toward the press, specifically Hillary Clinton's.
"The media has done a good job," he said. As far as Clinton's statement that she usually gets the first question during debates, Gomez said journalists tallied how many times she's been questioned first, and the results are approximately 14 out of 26. He said he thinks the reason behind Clinton's frustration was because she was down in the polls.
Gomez said he is confident that the Plain Dealer makes the most out of trying to cover all candidates equally. "We send reporters everywhere," he said. As far as coverage of scandals among president candidates, Gomez said, "News is our job."
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