My night as a mayoral escort
Yes, I know what that sounds like. But it's not like that. That's just the best title I could come up with at midnight after a full day of classes.
All unintended meanings aside, let me get straight to the heart of the matter. On Monday, October 22, I was assigned to be a personal attendant to the mayor of Pittsburgh, Mr. Luke Ravenstahl, during his visit for WTAE's in-house mayoral debate (which, might I add, was live).
I was nervous. Incredibly, indescribably nervous. After all, this is a public official who has figured prominently in the local news, my current lifeblood, for about a year.
What do you say to such a man? Someone who has garnered so much attention in recent months (both good and bad, though most would say the majority was decidedly bad--even the mayor himself was obviously aware of that simple truth).
All I could manage was to laugh along with a few jokes made by his wife and his campaign buds and meekly ask one question while I rode the elevator with him on the way to the makeup artist.
"Do you get nervous when you do these things?"
He does, at least a little, every time. Just part of his nature, he said. I had to agree that public speaking was intimidating. The kind he does, terrifying. At least, to me.
Aside from all personal concerns, I thought the debate went really well. The questions asked by our panel of journalists were tough, and both Mayor Ravenstahl and his opponent, Mark DeSantis, had some good answers ready. They also enjoyed a little playful mud-slinging (what debate would be complete without that), but it never really seemed to go too far. I loved being a spectator (I got to sit just behind all the campaign folks). One of my fellow interns was assigned to Mr. DeSantis, and we had a few good chuckles while we watched. (We also had to practically huddle together for warmth, because the room for the debate was ridiculously cold; Mrs. Ravenstahl agreed.)
Anyways, head over to WTAE's website if you want to watch the debate for yourself.