If someone had told me even a week ago I’d be shaking Hillary Clinton’s hand one day and standing two feet from Barack Obama at a press conference the next, I would have thought ‘yeah right!’ This weekend has been one of the most amazing, exciting and intense few days of my life. Though the rallies were thrilling to take part in and cover, everything we did was to lead up to covering the caucuses on Feb. 9^th.

When I started David Domke’s Politics and Blogging class, I had no idea it would be, in his words, a practicum where the students help create the curriculum and have a ton of hands on work in the field. I thought we’d talk about politics, read the news and write blog entries. What we have done is so much more than I imagined.  

Our class has spent time interviewing students, parents, democrats, republicans, caucus leaders, party leaders, the attorney general, the governor, city council members, just about anyone we could get our hands on in Seattle and even places such as Mercer Island where I covered a republican caucus. I have learned so much about the entire process and about myself as a journalist.

I have never really identified myself as a journalist. I have known since my freshman year that I want to attend law school and so when I chose the major it was because of my love of writing and idea that the area of study would help prepare me for the rigors of the next three years. I wrote my articles and struggled with the structured mechanics, thinking at one point I wanted to try to switch to creative writing. The interviewing and coming up with stories I felt was too stressful and difficult for me. Last quarter in one of my journalism classes I was asked to maintain a blog. Blogging, I found to be much more in my comfort zone, writing freely with my own voice. I loved it. 

That is part of the reason I joined Com 460, that and the fact that I was interested in politics, but just felt I never really knew much about what was going on. Through the pre-caucus and caucus coverage I have learned why people choose journalism as a career. It is thought-provoking, thrilling, you learn information before the public does and get to reveal it in your own words. I got a rush running from place to place, pushing my way through crowds to get closer to the action, asking questions, compiling articles and videos. All of the stress was well worth it.

I swear I pulled out at least five grey hairs this weekend, but you know, that’s okay. You can buy hair dye, but you can’t buy experiences like the ones from this weekend, the weekend of a journalism student in the midst of rallies and caucuses during one of the most exciting presidential elections in history! 

As for the caucuses, they were interesting, but not as exciting. I did get to learn what they were all about and how they were structured. I listened to some interesting debates, though not heated as the groups were of no more than seven people and all were very polite and friendly. As one man said:

“It was nice to be able to come out and talk to my neighbors about this.” 

I heard the Obama and Clinton caucuses were insane and there were lines to get in at some of the buildings. Some of the precincts were over 100 people. I was glad though, that I got to experience something completely different than the rallies and the campus events. Going to a Republican caucus gave me a very different perspective and a look into an area that hasn’t gotten as much attention.