One of the most renowned newspapers in the country called, and they want the scoop on ETSU students.
Last Friday, I experienced what has been one of the biggest surprises of my career so far. When I answered the phone, a woman chirped, “Hi, this is Sarah Wheaton with the political desk at the New York Times.”
Being a quick-witted journalist, I responded, “Um, excuse me?”
No, it wasn’t a wrong number. As it turns out, as editor of the East Tennessean I’ve been chosen to participate in the first ever New York Times Presidential Debate Liveblog. ETSU, and the ET, were chosen alongside 18 other schools to take part in this “virtual focus group.”
At 9 p.m. on Sept. 26, myself and other editors of college newspapers nationwide will weigh in on what Barack Obama and John McCain have to say during the debate.
Those comments will then be posted on the Times political blog, The Caucus.
However, this isn’t about me or my political views. Editors were asked to participate because we have our “fingers on the pulse” of our universities. I feel that I know what issues ETSU students care about, and what issues they react to – however, I am only one person, and cannot presume to speak for the student body as a whole. So, I’m not going to make this event about me. Over the next few days, I’ll be scrambling to make arrangements so that more students can get in on the action Friday night.
I want to encourage the participation of those who want to be a part of this, who see the excitement in our university being picked and who enjoy political discussion.
I want to bring a group of students together in a multi-partisan area where an open discussion of the debate can take place. We’ll watch the debate together, and work for the NYTimes together.
Unfortunately, at this point I can’t offer details about the event – simply because there are a lot of kinks to work out. Once I know something, you’ll know. If you want to get in on the brainstorming session for this event, send me an e-mail at eteditor@etsu.edu or look me up on facebook. Also, check the ET’s Thursday edition for more details.
Whether I can pull together an ETSU focus group or not, I hope that students at this university will take at least one thing away from this event.
When the New York Times cares enough to listen to the student opinions of a university located in the heart of Southern Appalachia, that says something – it says the young adults of America, regardless of where they live or go to school, hold this election in the palm of their hands.

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