Election 2012: Dr. Jill Biden campaigns in Pittsburgh

On Sunday, Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden and Florida congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz made a quick stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to campaign for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. The primary goal of the congresswoman and Second Lady's speeches was to sway undecided female voters. The women made there point very clear as several standing ovations were made to applaud them on their speaking.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz began the event by introducing and applauding the Second Lady’s class and personality. Wasserman Schultz also shared a personal story on her battle of cancer and how Dr. Biden was so kind and generous to her during rough times. She also informed the audience about the Obama/Biden campaign and their stance on woman’s health and rights, which Wasserman Schultz said she supported. She also mentioned how she thinks President Obama and Vice President Biden would do a better job at protecting women and their rights than Governor Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan. The congresswoman talked about many other topics, including healthcare, cancer awareness, and the current argument over the middle class.

Finally, Wasserman Schultz introduced Second Lady Biden, and as soon as Dr. Biden took the stage the small crowd roared. She began where the Congresswoman left off, on women and their rights. She tried to persuade the mostly female audience about voting for and electing her husband, Joe Biden, and President Obama for another four years. She said that electing them for another four years will allow them to get a lot more done and to move the country forward. Dr. Biden also mentioned that women’s rights has been a main focus for America and all of the past presidents, but that Barack Obama and Joe Biden can make a difference in the female community.

As she closed her speech, the crowd gave her and Wasserman Shultz a final standing ovation. Swarms of people started to surround Dr. Biden, and many people got to shake her hand and take a photo with her, too. Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and congresswoman and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Shultz definitely made a great impression on many Pittsburgh voters.

—Kid Reporter Matthew Moore

Standing Tall with Amar'e Stoudemire

The instant I stepped inside Barnes & Noble at 54th street in New York City for NBA superstar  Amar’e Stoudemire’s signing of his newly-released children’s book, Home Court, I could tell by the excited children – and even adults – that were beginning to line up, that this would be a special day!  I would be interviewing Stoudemire about Home Court, which is the first book in his STAT (Standing Tall and Talented) series, an autobiographical set of books about his childhood.

My dad and I were led into a small conference room. It was only around 10:45 a.m., and it would still be awhile before Stoudemire’s arrival. Two people from a New York Knicks website were already waiting, and over the next 20 minutes more and more reporters and media personalities gathered, many of whom I knew from their journalism work on TV or the Internet. I was able to meet Tina Cervasio, a two-time Emmy award winner for her fantastic work on New York Knicks and New York Redbulls broadcasts for MSG Networks. It was also a pleasure to also meet Jared Zwerling, whose articles on the Knicks and NBA I read almost daily on ESPN.com.

As I was reviewing my interview questions, Amar’e Stoudemire, standing 6’11” tall, walked quietly through the door! Nearly all the reporters sitting down got to their feet in a hurry and cameramen and women quickly set up their equipment. The Barnes & Noble representative that had escorted me to the room earlier announced to all of us: “Amar’e will be on this side back wall taking your open questions.”

As if they were all tied together by a long string, the entire pack of reporters, writers, and camerapeople moved at once towards the area of the room where Stoudemire stood. I immediately picked up my tape recorder, gave my personal camera to my dad so he could film the “press conference,” and hustled over to join the pack of reporters that had formed a crowd around Amar’e.

Cervasio started the interview with three questions about Home Court. After several more book-related questions, the interview shifted to the subject of basketball. I was able to squeeze through the throng of bodies so I could stand– crouch at times – at the side of Amar’e. It was extremely tough for me to try and interject my questions, as all the other reporters were assertively asking theirs! Eventually, I managed to ask Stoudemire a few of my questions about his thoughts on training camp and how the Knicks can improve through the training.

When the Q&A session was over, I went back to my seat excitedly. Now was the moment I was waiting for -- my one-on-one interview with Amar’e Stoudemire!

Amar’e made his way to the table where I was seated and sat down across from me. As the camera crew set up their equipment, I told Amar’e my name, and my small hand shook his huge hand to begin the interview.  Admittedly, I was a bit nervous as I asked him my first question. There were a great deal of cameramen with video recorders and microphones, but mainly there were a lot of reporters watching me. And, of course, I was interviewing a NBA superstar. How could I not be nervous? However, after the first question, I think I calmed down. I was able to go through all twelve of my questions perfectly, all of which were kindly answered by Amar’e.

After about 15 minutes of talking with Amar’e, the interview came to a close. I was extremely excited as I shook hands with him, and then he signed my personal copy of Home Court! Seemingly all of the other reporters came up to me and said “nice job,” or “you’ll be taking my job soon” as I said my final regards to Amar’e.

I had a fantastic time in New York City meeting professional reporters and talking with Amar’e Stoudemire. I truly enjoyed every single second of the experience. Hopefully, I can do it again when Double Team, the second book in the STAT series, is released in October!

You can watch my interview with Amar’e on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Amiri Tulloch

Photo: Kid Reporter Amiri Tulloch with Amar’e Stoudemire after their interview in New York City. (Dante A. Ciampaglia/Scholastic)

Covering the DNC: Final Thoughts

When I first received the assignment to cover the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, I really did not know what to expect. I was missing an overnight school field trip to Savannah, Georgia, but I knew that the convention would be equally if not more fun. My dad and I arrived in Charlotte on the morning of Tuesday, September 4, and met editors, Dante and Kristen, at the Charlotte airport. From that moment, we would all begin a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the Queen City.

President Obama Accepts Nomination

The Democratic National Convention concluded last night with President Barack Obama's speech accepting his party's nomination to run for a second term.

Tens of thousands of delegates, Democratic Party members, journalists, and volunteers packed Time Warner Cable Arena to hear the President's speech. Some arrived as early as 2 p.m., even though the speech was scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.

President Obama was introduced by First Lady Michelle Obama, and when he took the stage the crowd erupted in a deafening roar. They also waved signs that read "Forward" and "Fired Up."

"Madam Chairwoman, delegates, I accept your nomination for President of the United States," Obama said. "When you pick up that ballot to vote, you will face the clearest choice of any time in a generation."

For the rest of the story, check out the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

PHOTO: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha wave to delegates during the final session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. (REUTERS/Eric Thayer)

Appealing to the Youth Vote

The Charlotte Convention Center was extremely busy at noon on Wednesday, the second day of the Democratic National Convention, as this Kid Reporter and his editor, Dante, tried to navigate through the crowds to join the line for the Youth Council Meeting, one of several events that day.

Dozens of people were in line, both children and adults, waiting to be granted access to the ballroom on the second floor of the convention center where the event was going to be held.

The Youth Council Meeting was going to be a two-hour meeting celebrating the importance of young people to the Democratic Party and featuring several speakers and panel discussions about President Obama's re-election campaign. Anybody under the age of 36 was considered by the council as a youth voter.

Jenae, a delegate from South Dakota in line for the Youth Council meeting, said it's important to tell young voters that the Democratic Party is the future of the country. "They make sure they stand for our future and they have a lot of policies and beliefs that are really going to build jobs for the future and keep us strong," Jenae told the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps.

Kristen, Vice President of the Young Democrats of America organization provided a similar view about young voters. "My main job is to get you excited about voting for our President again," Kristen said. "And I think they are excited about voting for our President again, as you can see by the crowds to get into the Youth Council's line."

Finally, the meeting began. Jason Rae, the Chairman of the Democratic Youth Council stood at the front of the ballroom with the other council officers, introducing speakers that addressed key campaign topics like education and how young people could help re-elect President Obama.

The event began with a video about the story of a woman who pumped up a crowd at an Obama campaign speech with what would become the party's signature phrase, "Fired up! Ready to go!"

One of the speakers was Juan Sepulveda, Director for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. A Harvard University graduate and a Rhodes scholar, he spoke about the importance of education and college and talked to the audience about the Democratic stance and platform on the issue.

"We hear all across the country just the incredible struggles and what it takes as the President said again and again and again, 'If you work hard in this country and you play by the rules and you give it your all, then you should be able to succeed, you should be able to have the American dream,'" Sepulveda said. "I know you all were fortunate to have that, and I want you to make sure everyone is fortunate enough to have that. Make sure the President is re-elected."

After Sepulveda's speech, the crowd really got excited inside the Youth Council Meeting. It would only take one small spark to ignite the audience. And that spark was Regena Thomas, the former New Jersey Secretary of State. She roused the crowd with the very same chant from the video: "Fired up! Ready to go!" The crowd went wild. It looked like the young voters in that room had decided whom they would be voting for.

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

Photo: Regena Thomas gets the crowd a the DNC Youth Council fired up and ready to go. (Dante A. Ciampaglia)

The Final Night of the DNC: Joe Biden Accepts the Vice Presidential Nomination

We are nearing the end of the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. The audience is still as excited as it was at the start of the night five hours ago. Volunteers are handing out signs to people including ones that say "Fired Up" and "Thank You" and "Ready for Joe."

The 9-10 PM hour began with a video on veterans and a speech by retired Admiral John B. Nathman. He spoke about those who made the ultimate sacrifice to America and how the Obama administration plans to help veterans with education and jobs once they return. Standing behind Nathman were veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the crowd applauded, they raised sigs saying "Thank you" on them. And at the end of the Admiral's speech, there was a sea of blue "Thank you" signs directed towards America's many thousands of veterans.

Angie Flores, a student, introduced the Second Lady and teacher, Jill Biden. She took the podium and spoke about her husband Joe Biden's values, kindness, and compassion for others. She also talked about the tragic car accident that killed his first wife and his love for her and others. Then, she introduced him, Vice President Joe Biden.

As people waved the signs reading "Ready for Joe" and "Fired Up," Biden walked out on stage and accepted the nomination for Vice President after his son nominated him a few hours earlier. Biden talked about his loyalty to President Obama, the President's work on saving the economy and the automobile industry, and also his own dad's values and the things that he learned from his dad as a child.

"Conviction, resolve, Barack Obama, thats what saved the automobile industry!" Biden told the crowd. "He comes from the determination of American workers."

Biden also talked about his Republican opponents, Mitt Romney and Romney's running mate Joe Biden. "I've got news for Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan," Biden said. "Gentlemen, its never been a good be to bet against the American people."

Biden finished his acceptance speech with this: "The cause of change is not fully, but we are on or way," he said. "America's best days are ahead. Finish the job and re-elect President Barack Obama."

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

The Final Night of the DNC

The Democratic National Convention is in its final night at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. The 20,000 seat arena is completely packed and the section my editors, Dante and Kristen, and I are sitting in is filled. I can't even imagine how many people there would have been if the convention tonight were held according to plans in the 74,000 seat Bank of America Stadium!

The highlights so far have been performances from James Taylor and Foo Fighters. Taylor sang three songs, including "Carolina On My Mind," and even poked fun at Clint Eastwood and his empty chair joke at the Republican National Convention. Foo Fighters played two songs, "My Hero" and "Walk," and got a huge ovation.

But the most memorable moment of the night (to this point) was when Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was severly wounded in a deadly shooting last year, walked onto the DNC stage (with the help of Democtic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz) to lead the arena in the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterwards, the convention audience cheered wildly and gave her a long standing ovation. Everybody agreed that it was a great inspiration.

A lot of speakers have taken the stage, all leading up to President Obama's speech accepting his party's nomination for a second term later tonight. Stay tuned to Scholastic News for more of the Democratic National Convention's final night coverage!

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

My Interview with Savannah Guthrie

Early this morning, I found out that I would have the opportunity to interview Savannah Guthrie, co-anchore of the Today Show on NBC. So my editor Kristen and I got to the Time Warner Cable Arena as quickly as possible!

In the same suite that I interviewed Andrea Mitchell, I spoke with Guthrie in between segments of the Today Show. She talked to me about covering politics, being a good journalist, and her favorite assignments. Below is my interview with her on the set of the Today Show at the Democratic National Convention.

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

The Oldest Delegate at the DNC

There were more than 4,000 delegates present at the role call of states during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte last night, but Steven Sherman was the oldest of all of them. Sherman is one of the only delegates in a wheelchair — and he's the oldest delegate at 91 years old.

Born the same year Warren Harding, the 29th President, took office, he is at the convention to help Barack Obama get re-elected as the 44th President of the United States.

I met Sherman on this afternoon as he entered the Time Warner Cable Arena to be interviewed by Kyra Phillips of CNN's sister channel, Headline News (HLN). Phillips had actually just scheduled an interview with me for an hour later. Seeing him come into the arena, she suggested that I also interview him. He introduced himself to me as Steven and we talked briefly on the floor of the arena.

"I never thought I would live to see the first black President elected," Sherman told me. This is the second Democratic National Convention he's been to — he was in Denver for the convention that first nominated Barack Obama for President.

He also has some words of wisdom for people who want to become delegates like he did. "Just fight for what you believe is right in your country and follow your dreams," he said.

And fight he did. He fought in World War II and today is a decorated veteran who proudly displays his medals and a hat that reads "World War II Veteran."

When asked about former President Bill Clinton's speech last night, he said, "It was just dynamite. Dynamite. That man is smart, he knows where we're going, and Obama can take us there."

He also spoke about his core values as a Democrat and as an American. "Pledge allegiance to yourself, to God, and to your country," he said. "Those are the three."

Afterwards, I took a picture with Sherman. He then asked to take another with his camera, but he has a request. "Go to the other side of me," he joked. "You're covering my medals."

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

Photo: Kid Reporter Andrew Liang shakes hands with 91-year-old Democratic delegate Steven Sherman at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. (Kristen Joerger)

Reporting the Election for Latinos

At the Democratic National Convention, I got a chance to speak to Jose Diaz-Balart, the anchor of Noticiero Telemundo of the Spanish-language Telemundo network. Sometimes referred to as the Brian Williams of Telemundo, he spoke to me outside the Telemundo set on the Suite Level at the Time Warner Cable Arena. The two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist spoke to me about the presidential elections, reporting, and his values. Below is my interview with Diaz-Balart on Wednesday, the second day of the convention.

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang