Write In: Dad

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Michael Arens, an IT Business Analyst, who is politically conservative and socially liberal, follows the presidential campaign loosely. “I’m not really a big fan of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Hillary does have more political background than Trump, so that’s a plus for her.” After trying to get more of an answer out of who Arens likes he finally said, “This election is a tough one. I still think I’m probably going to write in my Dad’s name on the ballot. I trust him.” Arens’s final thoughts on this campaign are, “I just don’t know. I can’t honestly pick one to run the country. The outcomes don’t seem good either way.” Written by Sierra Poston Photographer: Ben Gibbs.

“These Are The Options”

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David Schnittger, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, works at Squire Patton Boggs LLP in Washington, D.C. When asked if he was following the presidential campaigns, he responded with an eager, “Yep!” According to Schnittger, he would normally be leaning towards the Republican candidate. But, he stated, “That’s a little more difficult this year with Trump as the head man for the Republicans.” Schnittger does not like Hillary Clinton either. He said he has big concerns for her and that she is not someone he would in a traditional election ever consider voting for. In addition, Schnittger said, “I’m not really enthusiastic about voting for her or the current Republican nominee at this point.” He wasn't done discussing Trump. “I just think that the wall he is proposing is sort of indicative of the larger problem. He talks about a lot of things that aren’t realistic. Governing is not about saying things that get peoples hopes up, but you can’t deliver on. It’s about being honest.” Schnittger’s final thoughts on the presidential campaign were, “Wow, these are the options.” Written by Sierra Poston Photographer: Ben Gibbs.

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Undecided in D.C.

Feeding the birds on the streets is a daily routine for Katt, a humble D.C. citizen.
Image by: Brandyn Johnson

Image by: Brandyn Johnson

She feeds the birds so that “[she] may earn a paycheck, and then [she] is on her way home.” What got her started with bird feeding was a one-legged bird she saw on the streets one day, and so she thought, “If he can do it with one foot, then [she] can do it with two.” She took this as her inspiration. On the topic of this election, Katt is an undecided voter. She has clearly stated she is not willing to vote for a third party, because she sees that as a vote taken from a major party candidate who is more likely to win.
Image by: Brandyn Johnson

Image by: Brandyn Johnson

The biggest factor that could lead to her swaying to either party lies in how the candidates handle their public image. Katt wishes to see Hillary Clinton admit to wrong decisions she’s made during her political career. As for Trump, Katt wants him to stop being “ziggy-zaggy” with his approach to politics. Katt believes both of the candidates are good people, but because of how the two major candidates are handling their situations, she remains indecisive. She sees the current situation of politics in our nation as just “a circus,” and the whole affair is making it hard for her to decide.    

Bernard Hamilton – Unemployed in D.C.

 
Image by: Brandyn Johnson

Image by: Brandyn Johnson

Bernard Hamilton, a reported previously homeless veteran, spends his days roaming the streets of Washington, D.C. unemployed. His days usually consist of walking from person to person, swallowing his pride and asking for what little money he can get. After spending time in the streets of our nation’s capital, Bernard wants to know what our presidential candidates can do for the homeless. With many issues on the table, homelessness has gone unheard in the election in his mind, and Hamilton wants to see the problems in the streets of the United States addressed. As for how he feels about the candidates themselves, Bernard is not standing with Hillary because, he stated bluntly, “If she gets PMS, and something happens, and she pushes that… button ’cause she’s having a bad day.” Bernard had no comment on any of the other candidates.  

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Welcome to ‘On The Campaign Trail’

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The brainchild of Professor Mike Mergen, this collaborative project teams Longwood University student photographers and reporters together during the Fall 2016 semester in order to get hands-on experience in intense, live political event coverage.

Students in Professor Mergen’s directed study will work together with students in Professor Jeff Halliday’s advanced media writing course to use safe, professional standards of practice while creatively capturing event-related activity with a focus on the 2016 vice-presidential debate being hosted by Longwood University on October 4, 2016.

Our goal for each collaborative assignment is to present multiple perspectives and angles while our students learn about live event coverage, media interaction with the public, and digital storytelling.

The capstone project will be a public showcasing of the students’ work with a front window display at the Longwood Center for Visual Arts. Installation is tentatively set to begin on Monday, November 14, less than a week after Election Day.

Please visit this blog for updates of our student work throughout the semester.

Sincerely,

Professors Mergen & Halliday

mergenJeff Halliday, Longwood University 2012