Kay Jones
AC360° Editorial Producer
Almost everything went as planned for Election Center and AC360 last night almost to the end, but as you've probably read before, nothing in television ever really goes as planned.
So with two minutes left in the 10p ET hour, we decided to go live at 11p. There was a slight problem with that plan: We were getting kicked out of the Pepsi Center by the Secret Service for their pre-convention security sweep and they didn't really care about our plans.
We tried to hang on a little longer, but just three minutes after 11, a very loud announcement came on the intercom – "Fire Drill". Anchor John King tried valiently to finish his interview with Candy Crowley, battling through the sirens and announcements.
But we took this as a sign that we definitely needed to leave. John ran out of the arena, across the street to our location at the CNN bus, where another crew had been called back to set up a camera. Then the real fun started: Rain. So the crew quickly erected a tent to protect the equipment, and just as importantly, John & CNN Political analyst Gloria Borger.
More trouble - one of the blackberry servers crashed so any e-mails we needed were floating around in e-mail no man's land. Oh and this location? The Secret Service wanted us out of here too.
So, on to plan C. The CNN political desk had the smarts to set up a live truck outside the security perimeter. So we hustled Suzanne Malveaux over there and eventually Gloria Borger made her way there too.
Of course, nothing is ever easy. The Broncs-Packers preseason game was just finishing, so thousands of fans in cars were clogging the route.
But everyone made air, and John King was able to break the news that Joe Biden is Obama's VP pick – before that 3a text message.
More from the CNN Grill as it happens.
See ya later!
| Camille, Belgium |
August 23rd, 2008 5:39 pm ET At least we got to see the show |
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| larry |
August 23rd, 2008 6:17 pm ET This question has been bugging me, and others in my family. If the economy is so bad, why are they spending millions of dollars for a Democratic event? It's not a rock concert, or a broadway show. Can't they just be real! They are worried that we are spending to much money to fight a war, and to protect our country.. Why aren't people speaking up on this? |
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| Amico |
August 23rd, 2008 7:42 pm ET I can't believe the analysis John King gave on you show from Denver on Sat @7:30 PM ET. I am not sure what he is after, but it sure feels that he wants to start a war between Obama and Clinton. He kept talking about why the Obama campaign didn't vet Clinton and he eluded in saying that they didn't give her the respect of checking her records. Let me tell you John, as independent voter, we all Know who the Clinton's are, and I am not saying this in a bad way. I actually like Bill Clinton a lot. The fact that You (the media) wanted to create this type of bad reporting for your interest and rating, People like me are leaning to support the Democrats this time around. We also are more worried about the hardship out in the real world. Not the unspeakable reporting like John Kings who wants Mud fighting to please his ego. I know you are a well paid individual, but there are millions of people who really care about the issues. Thanks, |
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| Michelle |
August 23rd, 2008 7:46 pm ET I am totally disappointed in CNN;s coverage of the Obama-Biden \You all just do not get it!!! |
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| Stacey Coleman |
August 23rd, 2008 7:53 pm ET You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Seriously. A liberal media? I don't think so. When you went to journalism school did you have values and ideals about an unbiased media informing America, or were you simply counting the minutes until you could sell out to the highest (Republican) bidder in order to sway an ignorant populace? I just hope you spend a FRACTION of the time dissecting and criticizing Mr. McCain's VP pick. For shame. |
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| C. Batten-Mapson |
August 23rd, 2008 7:54 pm ET Anderson, I am looking at you as you discuss the pick for VP to Obama, and you seem like a lover who has been betrayed. Take the needle off the record – you keep playing the sad song "Somebody Didn't Pick Hillary" – and get over it! I have moved on, you need to do the same. |
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| Mary Jean Baxley, Columbia, SC |
August 23rd, 2008 8:33 pm ET Kay, I think the CNN team had all the pitfalls of live coverage. Sounds like you were all ready for anything. Keep up the great job. |
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| carrie |
August 23rd, 2008 8:56 pm ET Raining, not raining , Packers -Broncs who cares! I'm just glad he picked someone, and I think Biden is a good choice. Everyone needs to move on, mostly the crying Clinton supporters that say they will vote for McCain if Clinton is not on the ticket, I can't believe they call themselves Democratics , They reminds me of the Olympic wrestler that threw his bronze medal down because he did not win. Dry your tears stand up for your country and do the right thing, We can't afford to have the Repulicans in office another 4 years . |
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| Brian C. McGrowder |
August 23rd, 2008 11:10 pm ET After a review of Biden autobiography, it with great thoughts that I would congratulate Obama on a great VP's choice, everyone has a pass and everyone has said something or done some thing that they or not complete and utterly satisfied with. Therefore, what if Joe said and has done so in the pass, it is time to move forward and focus on the road a head. I have sincere conviction that they will win the eighteen million votes that are undecided. |
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| esbee c. |
August 23rd, 2008 11:38 pm ET Love Joe Biden! Great choice but pretty sure DNC and Obama backed good ol' Joe in a corner on this one!! After all the only one that can pull this election out for Obama is Joe Biden. |
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| Don, WA |
August 23rd, 2008 11:42 pm ET Very interesting...but what was the Broncs-Packers score? |
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| Jeanine |
August 24th, 2008 12:25 am ET I think that the news casters should stop telling the American people about what each candidate says about the other. We want the real issues. Ask the candidates more about that. |
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| Chris |
August 24th, 2008 1:18 am ET I never seem to here it mentioned in all the talk about Obama/Biden that they both have a history of serious gun control.That will be a factor to several million voters,not the only factor but it will be noticed at some point. |
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| Annie Kate |
August 24th, 2008 1:59 am ET Kay, All of you did an amazing job because it never looked rushed or hurried or hassled on the screen. Between the Secret Service, the rain, the crashed email, the football fans, and the time constraints on the show I'm sure it was more than a little hectic. Seems like Murphy's law was in overdrive for you – if something can go wrong it will all at once...glad you and your team are as resourceful as you are. The coverage so far has been fascinating. See you later too! Annie Kate |
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| Patricia |
August 24th, 2008 10:46 am ET Thanks for the great coverage, Anderson. I felt your commentary was fair to both sides and yet served to bring the excitement of the occasion. I think the Obama/Biden ticket is a winner, if they stick to the issues in the speech they made at the announcement. Thanks again for fair unbiased reporting. |
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| Dennis |
August 24th, 2008 1:37 pm ET Gotta love the way Barack uses Joe to do his dirty work. |
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| lampe |
August 24th, 2008 1:49 pm ET Anderson; for once I can honestly say, "I think you are being fair." Sen. Clinton was snubbed by Obama, at the worst possible time. If he thinks for one minute that Clinton supporters are going to come crawling to him, he is in for a rude-awakening!!!! P.U.M.A. this in not going to happening, he has taken it upon himself to rip this party in two. For a man who is supposed to be honest, and wants to bring change to this country, he sure has a funny way of showing it. He can lie with the best of them. So Obama, I hope you like being a Senator, maybe in 8 years, you will be ready to be POTUS, BUT NOT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| Vicky |
August 24th, 2008 6:37 pm ET I have found most CNN news reporters biased against Obama and look for any little thing to pick up on that might make Obama look bad even if they have to exaggerate. To classify them: Glenn Beck trying to get people to look upon Obama as a anti-Christ. What kind of reporting is that. Campbell Brown's eyes light up when she has posed a question that draws negative comments from her guests. I was very disappointed in Candy Crowley and David Gergen's comments after the question period Pastor Rick Warren set up as they ignored the fact it was a complete set-up to make Obama look bad. Did Warren apologize to Obama for not keeping McCain in the so-called "cone"? I for one believe that McCain either saw the questions before or was coached by someone who had. After all his past record does not speak well for his honesty. Just ask his first wife. |
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| Ron Mallers |
August 24th, 2008 7:25 pm ET First I will say that I was a Clinton Supporter... Until she got so nasty in the primary battle. |
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| Pat |
August 24th, 2008 10:52 pm ET I bet not many of us have ever thought about what you guys go through to bring us the news and keep us up to date! I know I had no idea! I thought you like kind of made appts with these people and these affairs, you showed up at whatever time, they gave you their undivided attention and you went back to your office and tweaked it and voila! Thanks for the insight. I now have a whole new appreciation for you guys who look so debonaire, calm and composed by the time I see you on my screen! I also have a a whole new appreciation for my day job! Great Work Folks! Kudos. |
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| PoliticoMike |
August 25th, 2008 12:47 am ET To Larry, |
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| Irene |
August 25th, 2008 9:47 am ET We talk about Obama being a great father and would be a great President, therefore will be good for the Country. He as a half brother in KENYA that CNN documented last week, why are you not mentioning him today and through to Thursday... |
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| Barb |
August 25th, 2008 10:01 am ET Why does Obama need Biden too do his dirty work, if he can't handle John McCain how can he say he is ready too be President. |
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| Vonne |
August 25th, 2008 2:34 pm ET Why, just tell me why? The media just had to open my Christmas package for me. The public was willing to wait for the VP announcement; it was the media that had to have the news before the campaign was ready to reveal it. When will you put the publics interest first and not your own. For all the women who have decided to vote for John McCain…….remember one thing there are Republicans who don’t like McCain but they would never, never let there party down. It’s not about the Clintons any more it’s about the party and what is best for this country, a man who doesn’t know or care about the economy is not the best choice for this county. |
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