S. Dawn Jones Answers Our Election Questions
This week, rather than chatting with a business owner, we’ve got some answers from S. Dawn Jones, a correspondent for Talk Radio News Service. Dawn covers Capitol Hill and was kind enough to answer a few questions about the election and her job.
1. How did you wind up covering politics for Talk Radio News?
I previously hosted a political talk show on a local radio station in New Jersey, but I wanted to jump in and swim with the big fish. Acontact of mine told me that Ellen Ratner, the Bureau Chief of Talk Radio News Service, had the perfect opportunity. The thought of being able to attend Congressional hearings, interview Representatives and Senators, and be in the heart of Washington while utilizing every element of reporting (audio, video, and internet) was so appealing that I packed up everything I owned and moved to Northern Virginia.
2. What do you think the crucial issues will be in the general election, and why?
Right now it’s as if the candidates are simply answering only the basic centralized needs of whatever state it is that they are currently campaigning in. That’s not that unusual, nor is it surprising. Last year, most probably wouldn’t have predicted that our biggest issues are the real estate market, the “we’re not calling it a recession” economic issues, and gasoline prices. Always present, of
course, is the potential of a terrorist threat, and the war. Of course, it’s not technically a war either, since Congress never declared it to be one.
3. Is the drawn out primary process affecting Congress’ agenda? How?
It does not seem to be affecting Congress’ agenda unless the candidates themselves are actually sitting in a Congressional hearing or committee. It’s very business-as-usual on Capitol Hill.
4. Beyond the presidential election, what races do you think we should be watching?
I’d say that the House is a bigger deal than people pay attention to. Since Representatives are elected every two years, that’s where the biggest possibility lies to make changes, in my opinion, since it
changes a lot quicker than the Senate does.
5. In your personal opinion, who’s the strongest presidential candidate?
That’s an extraordinarily difficult question. I’d have to say, Senator Hillary Clinton has some serious guts. She can definitely take the heat, no matter which direction it is coming from. She is also always completely prepared for any question that is thrown at her, and usually she answers it bullet style: point one, two, three; to say she is ready with an answer is an understatement. Nothing ever seems to rattle her or take her by surprise.
I would not call Senator Barack Obama a strong character. He is likely to win the overall election simply because it is apparent thatAmericans are tired of a Republican White House. That being said, his appeal to the “every man” is a lean in his favor.
And if you want one of the best blow-by-blow descriptions of what’s going on up on the Hill on any given day, consider following Dawn on Twitter.
