Behind the Scenes on Election Night

By Shari Einhorn

So another election night has come and gone.  Of course -- we'll be following the dramatic change in Long Island's political landscape for a long time!  But all of that aside -- I thought you might like a behind the scenes look at how hard it can be to get an interview.

Let me set the scene.  News 12 Long Island has been closely following the race in the 3rd State Senate district.  It was longtime incumbent Caesar Trunzo being challenged by Brian Foley.  It was one of the seats Republicans were desperate to hold on to -- a key seat in the majority they've held for 43 years.  We had interviewed Trunzo several times in the past few days and I wasn't expecting to have a problem on election night.

As it turns out -- Trunzo lost -- and it was the first time he had to give a concession speech -- EVER -- in his 43 year political career!  One of his staffers told me he wasn't going to be doing interviews.  Well -- that's fine but as a reporter it's my job to try anyway!  And that's exactly what I was ready to do.  BUT -- one of his staffers -- a big guy -- apparently had other ideas.  They tried to shuffle the veteran state senator out a side door -- and not only blocked my cameraman and myself from getting to him -- but put his hands on my shoulders to try and prevent me from following!!  THAT'S A REALLY BIG NO NO!!  Of course -- as we're trained to do -- we were rolling on the whole thing.  Thanks Brian!

We kept trying to talk to Trunzo -- and ended up following him through a room -- through a side hallway and practically out the door of the hotel before we were able to get a couple of seconds from him!! 

Now -- just so we're clear -- I realize he's in his 80's and I wasn't trying to harass him.  But it's my job to try and talk to him and as a public figure for more than 4 decades -- I believe it's part of his job to talk to me -- not just when he's winning but after he loses as well.

Shari

Comments

[John]

I have to admit that I do sometimes wonder where this aggression goes after the soundbite. Not directed at Shari specifically (or even News 12, considering that few stations are even this controversial), but with the recent Wall Street Bailout idiocy, once a Representative said "I don't like it, but we have to do something" (obviously false), that was that.

Rather than chase people down to ask (basically) how they feel, why not push them to explain their choices and make sure they understand the results of those choices?