On Wednesday, September 28, ten Annenberg Media journalists piled into a pair of cars to prepare for the long drive from USC to the illustrious Simi Valley. The assignment? The second Republican Presidential Debate for 2024, where seven GOP candidates will battle it out for the chance to become Commander-in-chief of the United States of America.
At around 2:30, we arrived at media parking, where we pulled our cars into a field of wood chips in a local park. We picked up our credentials and took a shuttle to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library where the debate was scheduled to happen over rolling hills.
Past the security check point, media was directed to a large tent, where more than a hundred journalists would sit to watch the debate live on screen. Aside from our one photographer, none of us really saw the stage up close. Because passes into both the media tent and spin room were sparse for our abnormally large group, we took turns going in and out, passing lanyard cards, before we ventured off on our own.
I had a notebook in my right breast pocket and a mask in my left. In my front suit pockets sat a pair of pens, sunglasses, and a portable charger. I held a recording device in one hand and a microphone in the other with headphones around my neck. Indeed, getting through those security checkpoints felt like pulling scarves out of a clown’s sleeve.
I headed to the front of the library where Ronald Reagan’s face decorated massive banners that hung around the entrance. A line of attendees trailed through the audience, showcasing the wide range of viewers for the night’s festivities.
Some were advocates, like LIBRE Initiative CEO Jose Mallea. His organization was sponsoring Univision, one of the hosts of the night’s debate, and looks to support Latino households struggling financially. He said that he was hopeful for all the candidates who took the stage that night.
Jose Mallea: We currently have an ad that’s running that’s talking about the economic crisis in this country and how it’s adversely affecting the Latino community, the negative policies of the Biden administration, inflation and all these other things that are hitting Latino households. And we believe it is working to try to change that... We want to hear from them what their perspectives are on the economy, especially as it pertains to how they’re going to try to help the Latino community get through these difficult times.
There were even students attending the debate. Christopher G. is a student at the College of the Canyons. To him the event was an opportunity to see democracy in action.
Christopher G.: I’m just really excited to see what future leader we could have in this country. You know just to see it live. I think it’s a better experience. And you get to take it all in and it’s a lot. I went to the one in Wisconsin actually last month. So, it’s just the energy and just hearing everybody, it’s a lot cooler and I think a better experience than watching it on TV.
At 5:15, I waited for a call into our studio, ready for a live radio report from the scene. As I was scrolling through Twitter, I saw a tweet that Governor Gavin Newsom was down in the spin room as a proxy for Joe Biden’s campaign. With a minute before show, I knew I couldn’t make it myself, so I sent a note to our team so that someone was there to get the story.
Following a successful live report, it was time for the debate, at least with a few minutes to spare. A pair of young high school journalists were covering the debate and approached me, asking if I can do an interview to speak on my experience as a student journalist. With the many professional journalists at the debate excited to speak to students, I was not expecting to be treated as one myself.
At 6:00, the debate kicked off, and we were once again introduced to the “characters” of tonight’s television. The underdog outsider Ramaswamy, the charismatic showman DeSantis, the seasoned veteran Pence. Our team went to work. I recorded key moments and caught quotes as our politics editor updated our live feed. Moments like Haley’s roast to Ramaswamy drew laughter from journalists in the tent. The debate was “good television” as some would describe. It was theatrical and featured seven candidates who fit unique TV archetypes. There was even a “Survivor” reference, on the same day as the premiere of the reality show’s 45th season.
Donald Trump’s absence was pointed out immediately, with Chris Christie once again taking aim at the former president. They talked border control, the fentanyl crisis, education and the U.S.’s relationship with China, but the chance to get up close to the candidates and their campaign came after the show. In the spin room, journalists clamored to get as close to the divider as possible for a potential interview with candidates.
Annenberg Media spoke to Ken Cuccinelli, who represented the DeSantis campaign in the spin room, and we questioned DeSantis’ approach, including the issues of student loans.
Ken Cuccinelli: He doesn’t plan on getting it by bribing them like Joe Biden attempted going into the midterms... He has done what some conservatives didn’t think was possible in reining in higher education, and that is something that as long as the Department of Education exists at the federal level, he can do there too, and he’s committed to doing that. So, for both to clean out the indoctrination and turn it back to education and also to stop putting money into loans, subsidizing do-nothing degrees.
Many of the candidates themselves made appearances to spin the media. This included Vivek Ramaswamy who believes his unique background is what can lead a new generation of Americans.
Vivek Ramaswamy: One of my focuses tonight is if we want to reunite this country, we have to reunite the Republican Party first... Young people, I think, will care more about this country if we all have more skin in the game. And I think it’s my responsibility, frankly, as the youngest person ever to be president, if and when I’m elected, that’s what I’ll be is to reach the next generation.
As radio journalists, we get the chance to talk with people we might not normally meet, and even in a sea of people, we can find a voice.
But beyond the chaos of the spin room, attendees were trickling out of the event. We caught Tudy Trgovac as she was walking out, and although she came in support of Ramaswamy, the debate completely changed her perspective.
Tudy Trgovac: I’m undecided now. Came to support Vivek Ramaswamy, but I’m not sure now... Ron DeSantis and Haley. But I like Doug, and I don’t think they gave him enough time to talk... But as far as Pence goes, he was a yawn. I just felt like he was old establishment... I like the candidate who answered the question, first of all. And second of all, that they got to the meat of that of the problem and didn’t skirt it.
With the debate’s dramatics, it seems to have made an impact on the people looking for a new presidential leader. If you missed this debate, whether it be on TV or in person, the next one will be on November 8 in Miami.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Ethan Huang.