Flag City Politico

A Day In The Spotlight

I'm taking a two-minute break from the local candidate responses because of what happened today. An event like a Presidential visit deserves some comment, but it will be featured for only a brief amount of time in order to make sure that all the local candidates get the same amount (or close to it) of 'airtime' (I would hate for anyone to accuse me of being biased - - next stop, SNL).

Before today, some of my friends and colleagues asked me what I was going to say about President Clinton's visit, and I told them "not much". At this point in the primary season, I could recite most of the points he was going to raise (although mentioning flooding and students loans could be considered as smart politics or pandering to the audience - depending whether you like him or not). I really don't have many comments about the President's message, not because I don't have anything to say (if you've read this blog before, you know better), but because I had other things to worry about.

As part of my job at the University, I was on the team responsible for making sure the event was recorded from every possible angle. Specifically, we had two video cameras and one photographer doing their best to make sure we did not miss anything...and let me tell you, my team did an OUTSTANDING job!

It was great watching my group stand alongside the media outlets from Findlay, Toledo and a few national organizations. The Clinton campaign organizers treated our group the same way they did traditional media outlets, and it was nice to see students excited about this unique opportunity.

No matter your politics, there is something special about a President visiting your city...double special because it was happening where I work. But ultimately, for me at least, it was more exciting to stand there and watch the event unfold than listen to the words being spoken.

Knowing how this was pulled together, it is a credit to all parties involved that these events occur. The logistics are mind-numbing, and when you factor in that this happens from city-to-city-to-city, it is a small miracle (and a credit to organizers, hosts and media) that everything comes off without a hitch.

Watching the crowd waiting outside in the snow, just itching to come in...seeing how the stage is set and cables are run...seeing how the media get ready...seeing VIPs restless with anticipation...the small rumblings in the crowd as the clock nears the announced time...the building excitement as the introductory speakers get through their remarks...the roar from the crowd that crashes down on you when the President comes into view...it was great to see how it came to be.

Now, I admit that I did not vote for the President in either election, but that did not stop me from appreciating the history of the event. My wife and I made sure that our daughters would attend (only my youngest came because the other had important school work to complete) because it is not every day a (former) President comes to Findlay (and even rarer for a Democrat).The bottom line...it was a great event.

If you want to find out more about this visit, it is bound to be in all the papers, and there is this little thing called the Internet that has places to find out more

• The Courier's on-line photo album
• WTOL's video (this is about an hour long)
• The University of Findlay's article on the event
• The Pulse (UF student newspaper)

If you have any stories or photos you would like to share with others, either add your comments below or send me your story and photos, and I will publish them. All voices heard.

Now, back to our regular programming.

-RSKnopfJr

Melissa Andrews - thanks for the autograph you gave my daughter! It is already framed, and you made an 11 year-old girl extremely happy (and her Dad a hero).

Election07, F.A.R.T. & NPC

What more can be said about the election that hasn't already been addressed by the media or in this - and other - blogs? Well, a little...

• Thank you to every candidate who ran for office. I know it is not easy to invest so much time, emotion and resources into campaigning; you all have earned my respect for doing so.
• Congratulations to everyone who won; we will be waiting with anticipation as you take on the complex issues that face our community.
• For everyone who made it out to vote, give yourselves a big pat on the back.
• To the 71.41% of registered voters who did not go to the polls yesterday - what happened?

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Findlay School Board Candidates Forum videos

Here are the videos from the 2007 Findlay School Board candidates forum. The entire forum is covered in 14 parts (yep - 2 hours total...see what I do for all of you). If you did not see the forum in person, or only read about it or heard about it from others, I encourage you to watch these and make up your own mind.

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Please excuse the sound quality/volume. The candidates decided to not use the sound system that was provided.

-RSKnopfJr

Behind the scenes of the Mayoral Forum

Before I get to what happened on the 22nd, I want to give you some background information. Since 2001, I have worked at The University of Findlay, and have been fortunate to work with very talented people in an exciting and challenging environment. In 2006, I was asked to manage a new group, which included oversight of the University's TV station. Since I joined the team, we have taped quite a few concerts/lectures/games that make it to the small screen, but I have never been involved in a 'LIVE' event before.

Mayoral Forum videos

Here are the videos from the 2007 Mayoral Forum. The entire forum is covered in eight parts. If you did not see the forum, or only read about it or heard about it from others, I encourage you to watch these and make up your own mind.

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Good Mornings!

See what you miss when you don't wake up in the morning?

No need to fear...FCPolitico is here! With apologies to Underdog, the credit really goes to Findlay Publishing online editor Rebecca Conklin for allowing me to tag along, and to Good Mornings' host Chris Oaks for doing such a great job talking about the Virtual Village.

I had a great time. Trust me when I say that I am a little shy; but put me in front of a microphone or turn on a camera, and I...okay, I am still relatively reserved, but at least I didn't freeze up. Seriously, it was fun and I would gladly do it again, and isn't that what it is all about?

Thanks to my wife for going with me to get pictures!!

In case you want to hear how the interview went (give it a minute or so, we're on after the lunch menu - hmmmmmmm, tacos)...

-RSKnopfJr

Everything's Bigger

The Texas GOP Straw Poll was held this past weekend, and the winner is...Duncan Hunter.

Hancock County Democratic Party BBQ

This past Sunday, I was a guest at the Hancock County Democratic Party summer BBQ. The event was held at the AMVETS shelter house on Melrose, and was attended by about 75 people. I was able to take a few pictures of the event, and did my best to record the audio of the event to share with you. The videos include some of the pictures I took (with generic Democratic/American images to give it a little oomph)...the audio is the speech that each candidate gave to the assembled crowd.

Nancy Stephani, the chairperson of the local Dems, introduced a father whose son just returned from Iraq. The young soldier told the assembled group that it is not true what everyone is hearing...that soldiers are in 'favor' of the war. He said it was just the opposite. His colleagues want to come home before any more get injured or killed. 'Support the Troops - Stop the War' signs were available for those wanted them.

Stephani then introduced Findlay city councilman Michael Eier (fifth ward) who spoke about the opportunity presented to the local party this year. He pointed out that the Democratic Party has made great strides on the national and state levels, and it appears that Hancock County could be next. He went on to point out that, win or lose, this was probably going to be his last run at city council. Eier plans on moving on and becoming more active in his church.

After Eier spoke, Stephani told the group that there is a real opportunity for a Democrat to become the next mayor of Findlay. She then introduced candidate Thomas Knopf. Knopf read prepared remarks before taking a few questions from the audience. In his speech, Knopf's theme was 'Putting People First' and most of the language reflected the hope and opportunities he feels are before the community. Knopf told the crowd that they had the opportunity to make a difference and for their voices to be heard by helping elect him.

If you were at the event and would like to add additional comments, please do so. I look forward to hearing what others thought about the afternoon, and if you think the local Democrats have a real opportunity to be elected this November.

-RSKnopfJr