COMM 209: Obama announcement, rallies

This from Bernie Schoenburg's story on U.S. Sen. Barak Obama's presidential announcement in today's State Journal-Register:

Bundle up, Obama watchers.

Wind-chill readings could be near zero Saturday as people go to the Old State Capitol to watch Sen. Barack Obama announce his intentions in the 2008 presidential race.

And if it's really cold, what advice can the Illinois Democrat's campaign give?

"We're encouraging folks to dress as warmly as possible," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton via e-mail.

Nice lede! Schoenburg goes on to give details of Obama's speech Saturday morning and two campaign rallies the night before. I'll get back to them, but first I want to change the assignment for this weekend's festivities: If you can't cover the candidate's speech Saturday morning, go to one of the rallies Friday night and write it up. Shoot for 500-750 words (two to three typed pages). Whichever you write up, it's due in class Monday.

I'll give you some suggestions below, but first the details.

Saturday morning. Obama is expected to speak around 10 a.m. Spectators should be at the corner of 6th and Adams at 9 a.m. to get in. There will be considerable security, although details were not yet available today.

Friday night. Schoenburg lists two events, as follows:

A salute to Obama is planned for 5-7 p.m. at the Firefighters Lake Club, 940 West Lake Shore Drive. Organizers include Fire Capt. Chris Richmond and Neil Calderone, who has a political action committee called Progressive Leadership PAC. Local 37 of the International Association of Fire Fighters is renting the building, and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois is paying for refreshments.

The event is open to the public, and donations to Obama's exploratory campaign fund will be accepted.

Dan Shomon, a former Obama campaign manager who is a Chicago-based lobbyist and political consultant, is hosting an informal "get-together for friends" at The Alamo, 115 N. Fifth St., from 8 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday. The event is open to the public, and there is no cover charge.

I wouldn't blame any students who choose to write up an inside event (which is what I may do myself). Here's how to do it, whether you're inside at a reception or ourside at the Old State Capitol. Bring a notebook. Keep your eyes and ears open. Take down what you see and hear so you'll remember it. If anybody makes a speech, take it down. Lead with what they say, and weave your descriptions around it. See the tip sheet on writing profiles linked to my faculty page for more tips. Scroll down the page to the part on "gathering information."

If you're going to be outside, Schoenburg's story has some good advice on how to dress for an outside media pop:

The wind speed is expected to be 8-10 mph, said Chris Geelhart, another NWS expert. With a prediction of 13 degrees at 9 a.m. Saturday, that would make the wind chill about 2 degrees.

Louie Rogers, emergency medical services educator with St. John's Hospital, said being outside in such temperatures calls for precautions including non-restrictive layers of clothing and definitely gloves, hats and scarves.

"It's easier to take off a layer than it is to add a layer," he said.

Products such as chemical hand-warmers could help, he said. Such products can be placed in boots or gloves and can provide a couple of hours of warmth.

"Drink your fluids," he added. "Eat a good breakfast."

And if it is allowed, bringing a warm drink with you would also help, he said.

Security details for the event have not yet been released, and it is not clear what people will be able to bring.

So if you do take a warm drink, don't put it in an expensive mug. You may not be allowed to take it onto the Old State Capitol grounds.