SMU Adventures
Originally Posted: August 2, 2016
Spencer G. is a junior, double majoring in philosophy and political communication. He attended the Republican National Convention in Cleveland and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia as part of a political communication studies program in Meadows School of the Arts. Read more from Communication Students, National Conventions, Summer 2016 →
As quick as it all started, it is now over. A full week at the DNC felt like only a couple of days, despite the long hours.
While the work has been tiresome, the experience itself has been amazing. Being at the same facility as so many delegates, reporters and politicians is strange. The first day’s starstruck feeling of seeing Wolf Blitzer flash a quick smile, sitting at a desk across from Jake Tapper, or walking past Anderson Cooper soon becomes, well, almost normal.
Getting into a routine of accommodating and seeing these people is something that you don’t quite expect coming in, but it really happens. There is, however, one feeling that will never feel normal, or that I will ever forget: seeing and hearing the President of the United States.
On Wednesday night our group managed to get a hold of a few passes to get into the arena, which is actually much more difficult than most people probably realize. Although we had passes, we barely managed to grab seats that were in the back corner of the arena – basically on the back side of the stage – leaving us to see only the backs of the speakers.
I was perfectly fine with our seats though, taking the fly-on-a-wall role in the arena. All our troubles were worth it, as we got to witness an outstanding lineup of speakers culminating in President Obama’s speech.
The stage (in the bottom right corner) from our seats during President Obama’s speech.
And so at the end of a long and tiring week, I can finally say something that few people will ever get to say. I saw President Obama and Hillary Clinton on stage, together. I heard the President make an impressive speech, describing Clinton as the most qualified candidate in recent memory and assuring the nation in her capabilities.
Oh, and I had a pretty good view of the back of his head the whole time.