Who Says We Don't Need the Political Conventions?

Today marked the beginning of the Democratic National Convention, the Democratic Party’s response to the Republican National Convention, held last week in Tampa, Florida. This, of course, is an American tradition that dates back to the early 19^th century. The political convention allowed for the nation’s delegates to hammer our agreements on who would next run for president on behalf of a given party. The process was often contentious, uncertain, and confusing. Today, the nomination process lacks the wheeling and dealing of bygone conventions. Or rather, as a cynic might choose to believe, much of the wheeling and dealing is done long before the convention ever begins. What is left is a political convention that rarely contains upsets. A convention that is scripted down to the minute, spewing out endless pandering easily converted into a cable news sound bite.

There are those who believe this system is archaic, expensive, and outdated. Those that believe the conventions have outlived their purpose, that the conventions are little more than expensive excuses for politicians to celebrate themselves. And to be frank, there is a fair amount of pomp and circumstance to be found at these conventions. But there is another side, another purpose besides stroking the egos of politicians. The conventions are no longer important in deciding a party’s candidate. They do, however, allow the parties to present themselves to the American people, to put their best foot forward and to showcase the best and brightest each party has to offer. It is through these conventions fresh faces are introduced to the American public. Barack Obama first came to prominence this way in 2004. This year it is congressional candidate Mia Love and San Antonio mayor Julian Castro. And while the names change, the message does not; these are tomorrow’s political superstars.

But perhaps even more important than a wide-eyed politician’s five minutes in the spotlight is the opportunity for Americans to discuss what matters to them. This, of course, does not take place anywhere near the convention floor. The conventions are much too scripted to allow that to happen. But walking the streets of Charlotte, I spoke with fervent supporters of Barack Obama. I spoke with those who felt disenchanted with the president. I spoke with those who felt the entire Democratic Party was a joke. I spoke with immigration activists, Occupy Wall Street protestors, and pro-life activists. And all of these people could be found within four blocks of the Charlotte Convention Center. It doesn’t matter which party is celebrating itself inside the convention. Outside, supporters and detractors alike are deciding for themselves who will be the next president. And that’s why we need these political conventions.

Jake Langlois in Charlotte, North Carolina

EOT95 Stihl Timbersports 7/3/12

Lumberjack competition: The Stihl Timbersports Collegiate Championship is basically exactly what it sounds like; a competition to find the best lumberjack out there. This year, the twenty-twelve Stihl Timbersports Collegiate Southern Qualifier was held right here at N.C. State. Deondre' Jones spoke with the coordinator of the event.

Fracking: Senate Bill Eight Twenty was passed late last night, when the North Carolina legislature overrode governor Beverly Perdue's veto. The bill made fracking legal in the state of North Carolina.

Andy Griffith: On July 3rd, 2012, North Carolina lost a great son; Andy Griffith died at the age of eighty-six.

http://interviews.wknc.org/eot/EOT95_070312.mp3

EOT46 16th District Senate Candidates 10/19/10

John interviews the three candidates running for the 16th district of the North Carolina Senate:  Incumbent Democrat Josh Stein, GOP challenger Michael Beezley, and Libertarian challenger Stephanie Watson.  Taylor talks about the Wolfpack's tough loss to ECU, Mark shares his fall recipe ideas, and Chris brings you another Gardening Minute.

http://interviews.wknc.org/eot/EOT46_101910.mp3

EOT25 SBP Debate 3/29/10

When EOT aired March 29, the past 24 hours had brought destruction to North Carolina and casualties in Moscow. Newscaster Evan Garris broke down those stories and more in News. Sports takes a look at the Wolfpack’s performance on the diamond, the editorial gave a look inside the Eye of the... storm . Student Media hosted a debate between top-tier Student Government candidates, Correspondent Jacob Downey talked to the co-president of N.C. Skate and Chris Cioffi got the story behind that infamous silver key.

NEWS

News correspondent Evan Garris gave the details of this week's top local, national and international headlines.

EF-1 tornado touches down in Person County

Two students in flood-induced accident

Homes throughout N.C., Va. damaged in storm

Moscow suidice bombings leave 38 dead, 60 wounded

Obama, in Afghanistan, congratulates Karzai on anti-Taliban campaign

Raleigh-Cary area ranks 49th, population-wise, in U.S. Census

SPORTS
Tyler Everett capped up this week in Wolfpack sports.

EDITORIAL

• Storm alerts interrupted programming, including the Duke game against Baylor. Twitter and local blogs erupted with complaints.  The alerts did, indeed, alert, but left fans and evening television watchers agitated.

• The FCC requires TV stations to relay weather warnings via the Emergency Alert system their broadcasting license.

• Despite the unplanned interruption and programming rollback, the alerts are essential and can -- and did -- help save lives.

If you have a response to this editorial or any part of tonight’s show, contact us on twitter at WKNCEOT, look for us on Facebook at Eye on the Triangle, or shoot an email to publicaffairs@wknc.org.

VIP

In lieu of Student Body Elections, which are causing, if not a stir, then a paper and sandwich board trail around campus. Student Media invited top-tier Student Government candidates—Student Body Treasurer, Student Senate President and Student Body President—to contribute their platforms and ideas on questions that moderators Mike Alston and Saja Hindi asked.

COMMUNITY CANVAS

Correspondent Chris Cioffi caught up with Lillian Jones to discuss how she develops ideas for the Raleigh Treasure Hunt in which she invited all of Raleigh to follow clues that lead to a silver key. Whoever found it won a prize from her jewelry store. Cioffi talked to Jones about the event and about her ideas for future hunts. He also spoke to her about the recent publicity the hunt has been receiving, like this story in the News and Observer.

Later, he sat down in the studio with this year's winner, Team Clueless. Solving the puzzle in one day, Team Clueless quickly snagged the newest pendant. Their quick solving methods shattered the reigning champ's time, almost three months. He spoke to them about their previous treasure hunt experiences, as well as their experience with The Raleigh Treasure Hunt. They spoke about channeling Ms. Jones's thinking process to get an edge on solving the clues, as well as how their individual talents came together to make the perfect solving force.

WOLFPACKER OF THE WEEK

Eye on the Triangle's Wolfpacker of the Week is a sophomore working on a degree in construction engineering and management and is also the co-president of the Skateboarding Club.  Correspondent Jacob Downey spoke to the Matt Brokaw, co-president of N.C. Skate, the University's skating club. As one of the club's founders, Brokaw has worked to help transition the club from a collective of enthusiasts and hobbyists into a competitive body able to represent the University at intercollegiate meets. An avid skater since getting his first board at 11 years old, Brokaw said he enjoys promoting skating through service projects like N.C. State's Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser, Shack-A-Thon, and hosting fundraisers for Grind for Life.  One of the things he enjoys about his involvement with the NCSU Club Sport is the mentor relationship between experienced skaters and beginners. For more information on the NCSU skateboarding club visit http://www.skatewall.com/ncstate/about.html or pop in at one of their biweekly meetings in Riddick Hall Room 339 at 8 p.m. The next one is April 7. You can also hang out with the skaters behind the Free Expression Tunnel as the group hosts the "H.O.R.S.E." inspired game of " S.T.A.T.E." on Saturday afternoon, April 10.

http://interviews.wknc.org/eot/EOT25_032910.mp3