Ask anyone who knows me.
It’s not really a dirty, little secret. It’s obvious once you get to know me just a little bit.
I have a temper.
It shows itself at the oddest times, but it’s almost always unnecessary.
The reasons for these outbursts vary, including dips in my blood sugar levels and overall anxiety.
They also vary in intensity, from snapping off one-liners that are shockingly cutting, to just plain meltdowns that include screaming and crying.
They’re by no means pretty.
I’ve worked hard to control it, from eating well before what I expect to be a tense encounter to physically restraining myself despite actually feeling my body shake from the anger I’m feeling inside.
It’s important to know when it happens and when it’s likely to crop up.
Because I know these emotions so well in myself, they’re that much more apparent in others.
I don’t think the U.S. president should have those same qualities.
As I sat at the studios of WKYC-TV 3 watching the Democratic presidential debate with members of a Greater Cleveland blogging group called Meet the Bloggers, I studied Sen. Hillary Clinton.
I saw so much of myself in her.
She sat on the edge of her seat, snapped at her questioners and sniped at Obama. She spent most of the debate leaning forward in her chair, hands folded in front of her with a snarl on her face.
The explosion never came, but it was nonetheless an awakening.
In early January, while campaigning in New Hampshire, she nearly wept while answering a question on why she was running for office.
The moment seemed to change the direction of a faltering campaign. At that time, I didn’t understand why it mattered.
She was simply exhausted from too many hours speaking to strangers, trying to control her emotions while getting her message across.
Tonight’s display was very different.
With fierce questioning from NBC anchors Brian Williams and Tim Russert, Clinton was uncomfortable and defensive.
She was fighting for her political life.
In the face of foreign leaders, she could very well be fighting for our lives.
I see this debate again changing the direction of a faltering campaign.
This time, I think she’s done. I think on Tuesday night we saw the end of her presidential campaign, whether she admits it or not.
Perhaps our March 4 election will make it even more clear.
On the other side of the table, Obama remained in control throughout. Even when he piped up suddenly to address comments from Clinton, he merely raised his hand to show the desire to speak.
He kept his cool, and betrayed no emotions.
As someone who knows how easy it is to lose control, I know the value of a president who can control their temper.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
What's the definition?
It's amusing to see another Clinton involved in a discussion about the definition of a word.
Just as her husband has been repeatedly ridiculed for asking the definition of "is" during his deposition during the Lewinsky affair, she was just at the heart of a rather comedic moment when Obama made a point of saying that if she'd prefer under certain circumstances he "denounce" rather than "reject" his affiliation with Louis Farrakhan, he'd be willing to go that route.
It's a splitting of hairs, certainly, but one that shows just how close these two candidates are even on the simplest of issues.
Just as her husband has been repeatedly ridiculed for asking the definition of "is" during his deposition during the Lewinsky affair, she was just at the heart of a rather comedic moment when Obama made a point of saying that if she'd prefer under certain circumstances he "denounce" rather than "reject" his affiliation with Louis Farrakhan, he'd be willing to go that route.
It's a splitting of hairs, certainly, but one that shows just how close these two candidates are even on the simplest of issues.
No going easy this time around
NBC anchors Brian Williams and Tim Russert came out of the gate with serious questions, and haven't backed down.
They're not letting the candidates evade questions — going back and back and back again to ensure they finally give an answer.
Russert was akin to a pitbull while asking Clinton if she'd tell Canada and Mexico she'd back out of NAFTA. It was impressive journalism on a national stage — you can't ask a question and not get an answer. People are watching.
They're not letting the candidates evade questions — going back and back and back again to ensure they finally give an answer.
Russert was akin to a pitbull while asking Clinton if she'd tell Canada and Mexico she'd back out of NAFTA. It was impressive journalism on a national stage — you can't ask a question and not get an answer. People are watching.
Name-droppers...
Clinton discussed those craving affordable health care in Lorain, lacking work in Cleveland and even mentioned a favorable article in The Plain Dealer. Obama pointed out that Youngstown has lost heavy numbers of jobs in recent times.
Yes, they've been traveling the state the past week.
Yes, they've been traveling the state the past week.
Wasting no time...
Brian Williams wasted no time getting to what I wanted to know: How would Clinton handle her "shame on you" speech on Saturday in Cincinnati.
She's calm from the start.
Williams then jumped to another of the "bigger" stories of the week, the release of a photo of her challenger, Barack Obama, from a trip to Kenya in which he was wearing an outfit in the native garb of the country.
She denies her camp released it, he says he believes her.
He's a little more aggressive than Clinton off the top, hitting on differences in their health care plans.
She's calm from the start.
Williams then jumped to another of the "bigger" stories of the week, the release of a photo of her challenger, Barack Obama, from a trip to Kenya in which he was wearing an outfit in the native garb of the country.
She denies her camp released it, he says he believes her.
He's a little more aggressive than Clinton off the top, hitting on differences in their health care plans.
Live on TV from Channel 3
Reporter Paul Thomas is preparing to do a live shot on WKYC-TV 3. He and his cameraman are scrambling to set up, gearing up for a start in 30 seconds.
It's interesting to watch them set up, because we at The News-Herald have recently started shooting video for our Web site. I'm hoping to get some clues for how to shoot video from these guys.
They carry heavier cameras than we do, and I'm sure are more steady of hand, but maybe something will stick with me.
The light's on, so we're about to start. I'm chewing gum, which is part of a tick to deal with nervous energy. I guess I'm hoping he doesn't ask me any questions.
Thomas just said he doubts we'll have any real history-making moments tonight. I hope he's wrong, because it would be fun to know we're responsible for something that makes a difference.
It's interesting to watch them set up, because we at The News-Herald have recently started shooting video for our Web site. I'm hoping to get some clues for how to shoot video from these guys.
They carry heavier cameras than we do, and I'm sure are more steady of hand, but maybe something will stick with me.
The light's on, so we're about to start. I'm chewing gum, which is part of a tick to deal with nervous energy. I guess I'm hoping he doesn't ask me any questions.
Thomas just said he doubts we'll have any real history-making moments tonight. I hope he's wrong, because it would be fun to know we're responsible for something that makes a difference.
An old "friend" takes center stage
When I was a journalism student at Kent State University in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the program had a very quiet booster.
Michael Schwartz was president of Kent State University when I arrived on campus in 1987. He served until he "retired" in 1991, opting to return to the classroom and hands-on education of students. He was replaced by the college's first female president, Carol Cartwright.
Schwartz has always held my fascination. I'm not sure what's longer than arm's length, but if there is such a thing, he was at it. He dealt with one reporter per semester from the college's newspaper, The Daily Kent Stater. The reporter would take questions from multiple reporters' beats at one time, get them answered, then bring the answers back to us.
We knew he was a real guy, but in some ways he was an enigma.
The newspaper received funding from the university, but Schwartz allowed us to operate as though we were an island. Sure, he got upset when we screwed up, or when he thought we were unfair in criticism of the school, but he never threatened to touch us. He told our professors that we had to learn how to work in the real world.
A few years after his retirement from Kent State, he turned up at Cleveland State, filling in as interim president. He took over fully in 2001, and recently signed a contract that will keep him in the job until 2010.
Tonight, he prepares to stand on the dais at Wolstein Center and kick off a nationally televised debate that just could make a woman or a black man the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.
Yeah, Michael Schwartz still knows how to work it.
Michael Schwartz was president of Kent State University when I arrived on campus in 1987. He served until he "retired" in 1991, opting to return to the classroom and hands-on education of students. He was replaced by the college's first female president, Carol Cartwright.
Schwartz has always held my fascination. I'm not sure what's longer than arm's length, but if there is such a thing, he was at it. He dealt with one reporter per semester from the college's newspaper, The Daily Kent Stater. The reporter would take questions from multiple reporters' beats at one time, get them answered, then bring the answers back to us.
We knew he was a real guy, but in some ways he was an enigma.
The newspaper received funding from the university, but Schwartz allowed us to operate as though we were an island. Sure, he got upset when we screwed up, or when he thought we were unfair in criticism of the school, but he never threatened to touch us. He told our professors that we had to learn how to work in the real world.
A few years after his retirement from Kent State, he turned up at Cleveland State, filling in as interim president. He took over fully in 2001, and recently signed a contract that will keep him in the job until 2010.
Tonight, he prepares to stand on the dais at Wolstein Center and kick off a nationally televised debate that just could make a woman or a black man the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.
Yeah, Michael Schwartz still knows how to work it.
Snow's brushed off, waiting to go
Driving in to Cleveland from the east side to set up at WKYC-TV 3 to take part in a bloggers' gathering during the Democratic debate at Cleveland State University, I couldn't help but notice the city's skyline was impossible to find.
It was more than darkness that obscured it; the heavy, blowing snow kept Terminal Tower and the BP Building shrouded in gray. So, it's not likely tonight's viewers will have any opportunity to get a peek at the skyline that so beautifully was showcased during the Indians' playoff run in the fall.
Channel 3 is set up at multiple locations around the Cleveland State campus, with live broadcasts taking place up to the moment the debate begins at 9 p.m.
The News-Herald has reporters inside Wolstein Center both in the media room and in the audience. We also will offer, in Wednesday's edition, views from college students on both how they think the candidates did in the actual debate and how vitally important this election is to America's future.
It was more than darkness that obscured it; the heavy, blowing snow kept Terminal Tower and the BP Building shrouded in gray. So, it's not likely tonight's viewers will have any opportunity to get a peek at the skyline that so beautifully was showcased during the Indians' playoff run in the fall.
Channel 3 is set up at multiple locations around the Cleveland State campus, with live broadcasts taking place up to the moment the debate begins at 9 p.m.
The News-Herald has reporters inside Wolstein Center both in the media room and in the audience. We also will offer, in Wednesday's edition, views from college students on both how they think the candidates did in the actual debate and how vitally important this election is to America's future.
Let's get this party started
It's debate day, and I'm as antsy as a kid on the first day of school.
It's as though I'm moving from grade school to high school, entering the so-called "blogosphere" to join all these hip, happening technology masters who can get their information and opinions on Web sites faster than I usually form my opinions.
Check back here later tonight as the Democratic Debate gets started for my views of the action at Cleveland State.
I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering if the fireworks that sparked over the weekend in Ohio regarding Sen. Hillary Clinton's reaction to a mailing from Sen. Barack Obama's campaign will translate into a great political debate.
Here's hoping there's plenty to write about!!
It's as though I'm moving from grade school to high school, entering the so-called "blogosphere" to join all these hip, happening technology masters who can get their information and opinions on Web sites faster than I usually form my opinions.
Check back here later tonight as the Democratic Debate gets started for my views of the action at Cleveland State.
I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering if the fireworks that sparked over the weekend in Ohio regarding Sen. Hillary Clinton's reaction to a mailing from Sen. Barack Obama's campaign will translate into a great political debate.
Here's hoping there's plenty to write about!!
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