KID REPORT
September 2, 2004
Reporting from the Floor of the Convention
Kid Reporter Henry speaks to Senator John McCain and others at the Republican Convention
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You never know who you’re going to run into in the hallways of Madison Square Garden during the Republican National Convention. On my way to CNN on Wednesday, I ran into former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Reporter Danny Stricker and I chased after him and got to ask him a few questions.
|  Henry interviews Pat Buchanan. |
I asked him if he thinks kids’ issues are being addressed at the convention. “Well I think it is very important first to make sure we keep you safe....,” he told me. “Second, to make sure that your schools are good ...and third to make sure the health system works so that you have a good health care system. Danny asked him what it’s like to attend a convention now that he is no longer in office. “It’s easier for me know, it’s more fun, it’s more relaxed, and I’m able to walk around and see old friends.”
Soon afterward, we ran into Pat Buchanan, a Republican commentator for MSNBC. I asked him how he planned to make his coverage of the convention unique.
"Well, actually we do our report from Herald Square, not even in the hall (but) right in the middle of Herald Square, where the demonstrators are," he said. "One came over the fence and so you’ve got real live action there as opposed to a lot of pre-formed speeches here."
Later on, I took a trip to the convention floor, where I met Secretary of Education Rod Paige. He said he has gone to conventions since the late President Ronald Reagan was nominated in Detroit in 1980. “This one is the most exciting one I’ve even been around,” he said.The Convention in Prime Time
On Wednesday night, I attended the primetime session and got to hear the speeches. The main speakers were Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat from Georgia, and Vice President Dick Cheney. The only important order of business that took place was the nomination of Cheney to run for Vice President.
But, no matter what officially went on, the event was thrilling. The crowd got very emotional, cheering loudly for the speakers and waving signs in support of the President.
Senator Miller gave a fiery speech which really revved up the crowd. He emphasized Kerry’s questionable voting on military aircraft funding. If he becomes President, “what’s he going to use, spitballs?”
Following Miller came Lynne Cheney. In her short speech, she included a short story. Cheney’s granddaughter once questioned of Cheney, “do you know anyone famous,” not knowing that her grandfather is the Vice President of the United States.
So, that proud grandfather took the stage next. He about the No Child Left Behind Act, the economy, healthcare, and said the “Bush tax cuts are working.” The speeches ended promptly at 10:58, two minutes before planned.
|  Danny interviews McCain. |
On Thursday Morning, Danny and I went to a California delegation breakfast featuring Senator John McCain of Arizona. McCain was asked questions ranging from immigration to how much impact the California has when it comes to influencing voting in Western states. “It’s like being in bed with an elephant,” he said. “When the elephant rolls over, you’d better be careful.”
Afterwards, McCain talked with a crowd of reporters and I got to ask a question.
TFK: Having the toxic atmosphere of politics, how would you encourage kids to become interested in politics?
McCain: I think you get kids interested in politics by addressing issues that are important to kids such as education, which has been one of President Bush’s highest priorities. But I also think you get them involved in campaigns. Campaigns are fun and exciting. And everybody that I’ve known that has really pursued a career in politics has been involved in campaigns. Being out there with the candidates, knocking on doors. That’s what we really need a lot of.
Then, Danny pushed to the front and asked a couple questions:
|  Danny and Henry chat with Newt Gingrich. |
TFK: What is your reaction to the people who asked you to come to the Democratic side?
McCain: My reaction was, thank you very much, and we have very good friends who are in the other Party and I respect them but I am an Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt Republican and I love my Party.
TFK: What do you think about the Swift Boat Veteran’s ad (which criticizes John Kerry for things he said after serving in Vietnam)?
McCain: I condemned any criticism of anyone’s service in combat. What happens after that, Senator Kerry’s activities following the war, they are very legitimate items to debate in discussion, but I don’t approve of condemning someone’s service in combat because it has a lot of very bad affects on other veterans too.
