Candidate Profiles and Interviews

A: Linda Polach, WCVB, Boston: “We started a segment called ‘At Home’ and we’ve been doing that for many years.” In this segment, the reporter goes to the candidates’ homes to talk to them and their families. “It gives viewers an intimate view of who they are.”

A: Maureen Scott, WFLA, Tampa: In a “day-in the-life” segment, Scott went to a candidate’s home as well. There she showed the candidate doing everyday things like jumping rope, sweating, and playing with the dogs. “This showed off the real person behind the candidate.”

A: Gregg Lagerquist, WGME13, Portland, Maine: A reporter can also watch the candidate at work. For Congressional incumbents, that meant visiting them in their offices on Capitol Hill. Lagerquist went to Washington, DC to tape them in their offices, as well as in congressional sessions. For new candidates, he plans to visit them in their workplace as well.

A: Jay DeDapper, WNBC, New York: “We chose to do something different and follow each candidate for one day with a mini-DV cam - not as a profile but to get a sense of the candidate from the perspective of the average Joe who might just happen upon one of these campaign events.”

Q: How can we get members of the community involved in candidate interviews

A: Thor Wasbotten, KGUN, Tucson: Let citizens ask the questions in a casual setting. KGUN plans to transport candidates to various Arizona locations. The candidates wont know where they are going until they get there. Upon arrival, citizens at those locations will have the opportunity to ask questions. Then, KGUN will take candidates to a nearby coffee shop where a broad range of people in that community can ask questions.

A: Maureen Scott, WFLA, Tampa: “It seems to mean more and is more relatable to the viewer if people in the community ask the question.” Scott gathered questions from citizens, through man-on-the-street interviews. Then, when candidates came in to WFLA’s studios for a free air time taping segment, Scott asked the questions the citizen’s asked. “Then, I put together a package of reports that included the person’s question with each candidate’s response.”

Q: How can you get candidates beyond rehearsed answers in an interview?

A: Betsy Fischer, Meet the Press: Tim Russert (host of Meet the Press) recalls asking Lawrence Spivak (creator of Meet the Press) “What’s your secret of success? Spivak said “Learn everything about your guest and then take the other side.” The key is preparation. Then, you can anticipate what the candidate is going to say and you will have that follow up ready.” Make sure you know the candidate’s history, where they grew up, key decisions, and issues dear to them.

A: Jay DeDapper, WNBC, New York: “I think that's hard to do in interview settings; A better bet in profiles is to interview people around (the candidates) or from their past - parents and grandparents are best, especially when the campaign isn't notified.

A: Gregg Lagerquist, WGME13, Portland, Maine: In a debate, the station can choose to focus the debate on specific issues (WGME will have a debate that focuses only on senior citizen and youth issues) and ask more probing questions in those specific areas.