Listening to America
Sam Morgante ILR '09 interviewed dozens of people at the Democratic National Convention as an intern for C-SPAN Radio. When he returned to Cornell from Denver, he shared his perspectives on Americans and the political process.
Q: How did the C-SPAN internship happen?
A: "A family friend said, 'What, are you stupid? Go and see history being made.' I called a friend at C-SPAN and said I would pay my own way."
Q: What did you do for C-SPAN?
A: "They gave me a mic and a voice recorder and I helped fill down time between speakers with interviews. Unfiltered, uncensored, gavel to gavel, at C-SPAN we don't interrupt at any moment. It's not even non-partisan, it’s apartisan."
Q: Who were some of the people you interviewed?
A: "John Hall, a congressman, formerly of the band "Orleans." Neil Abercrombie, a few delegates, protesters, average Americans, a transsexual lesbian atheist, a street preacher from Norway."
Q: Who was the most memorable?
A: "An Obama delegate, a black man in his 60s. You could tell he had been crying. It was right after Obama had been nominated … he said, 'This level of optimism, this hope and pride of being American.' Another was a Texan, a Clinton delegate, when the Clinton delegates were released. I asked her if she would support Obama. She said yes, because Hillary supports him. As for the future for Senator Clinton, 'the sky’s the limit.' It was a glimpse into the American spirit."
Q: What surprised you about the people at the convention?
A: "People who come off as crazy in the media are perfectly balanced and were able to talk very calmly to me and to the people they were protesting."
Q: What surprised you about the political process?
A: "The infrastructure … looking out from the C-SPAN box at the Pepsi Center onto the convention floor. It was packed. It was like a rock concert. It was a madhouse. The level of infrastructure … media tents, satellite trucks, CNN and Fox rented entire restaurants. The level of security at INVESCO Field … and the strong military presence. It was a lot more in your face than it is for a fixed location."
Q: Did the convention change you?
A: "Probably. But, I can’t define it in a way that would satisfactorily answer that."
Q: What did you do this summer before you went to the convention?
A: "I worked on Capitol Hill for the House Rules Committee. I read papers, bills, amendments, assisted the staff in preparing talking points and summaries."
Q: Did your ILR background influence your work at the convention?
A: "Yes, I was willing to go up to people and start conversations with them. I have had some professors here who encouraged discussion – Clete Daniel, Michael Gold, Lee Adler – and to listen to what others have to say. They did the most to show me I’m not the smartest person in the room."
Q: How did that play out when you interviewed people for C-SPAN?
A: "Don’t lead. Let somebody just talk."
Q: Do you have a focus area at ILR?
A: "It's been CB (Collective Bargaining). But, in the past 48 hours, I’ve been thinking a lot about HR ... recruiting and retaining young talent for the Democratic Party."
Q: What was a highlight of the convention?
A: "I was able to attend a caucus of labor delegates – Bruce Raynor (ILR '72), Andy Stern, Anna Burger were all there. Labor leaders from all over the country were there … I realized that to truly understand the labor movement, I really need to have labor experience, to get field organizing experience. When you are really talking to people on the ground, it expands your knowledge base."
Q: What was it like to transition from the convention to campus?
A: "You do get into a bubble. At the convention, you're only talking to like-minded people … After, it's 'Oh, yeah. How are the Yankees doing?'"
Q: How many hours will you spend on politics between now and Election Day?
A: "If any professors are reading this, only after my homework is done. Ten to 20 hours a week – phone bank, voter registrations with Cornell Democrats. The last two weeks, I'm not going to sleep. So many races are going to be won by boots on the ground. There's such an opportunity."
Q: Where will you be getting all the energy to do this?
A: "Black coffee."
Q: What do you want to do after you graduate from Cornell?
A: "I'd love to be working on Capitol Hill as a staffer."
Q: Back to the convention – do you have a final takeaway?
A: "I don't think this country is nearly as polarized as polling methods show. Polls should add gradation … how important is this issue to you … not are you "pro" or "anti." When people sit down and have a conversation, they're perfectly willing to explain their positions in a calm and rational manner. We're not as divided a country as polls would have you believe. … it does a lot for my hope for the future."