Full Frontal PR Report
Tori Pugliese

With the Presidential election slowly approaching we are engulfed in a media tidal wave of opinions, character debates, scrutinizing of political parties, and those cool satirical impersonations by Saturday Night Livers. We are acutely aware of how much influence media coverage of debates and speeches has on presidential elections.

There are some who are avid political junkies and who follow and understand every stance and opinion of each party and its candidate—these people I applaud. In discussions about politics and world issues there is nothing more infuriating than debating with someone and then slowly seeing they haven’t a clue about what they’re speaking of.

Being aware of what occurs on our shores is truly beneficial in many regards—observance of national and international policies helps in comprehending The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, but, more selfishly, allows you to hold intelligent conversations and back up your opinions with facts not rubbish.

Imagine participating in a mind-blowing conversation about foreign policy during a work function with a thorough understanding of the position of our President and Senator (not fakin’ it). What a genius you would be if you can agree or disagree on a topic and really know what you are going on about. Talk about a hit at a party!

Unlike that person with whom you can have a delightful conversation about the beauty and flair of a Maserati and the way it shifts gears with such precision that it corners like its on rails…then come to find out that this joker has not only never been in a Maserati, but doesn’t even have a license to drive.

That’s when I get flabbergasted: How come people complain about not having jobs, the expense of college tuition, rising gas prices, etc., and these same people don’t keep themselves informed, don’t vote, and do not seem to care?

A few months back the youth-oriented “Rock the Vote” campaign was under scrutiny and criticism when its movie star spokesperson, rapper JaRule, and some other hot campaign faces, said blatantly they’d never voted. A day later an apology was issued along with a promise from JR that he would not only to vote this upcoming election, but uphold his “Rock the Vote” affiliation and push registration and “making it to the polls” this November. (Promises and PR cleanup… sounds pretty political!)

Kasha Topa, Master Control Operator at ESPN Networks, said, “The media coverage during the election time definitely influences me and my opinions about those who are running, but what creates the largest impact are my family’s opinions. I really used to listen what my parents said, because they knew more about politics than I did. Now I’ve gotten older and I form my own opinions about policies. And yet I still take into account what my family thinks.”

Character bashing, scandalous behavior, and controversial topics of the day will of course always grab our attention quicker than environmental affairs, an unbalanced budget and Medicare reforms, but registered voters (you are registered, right?) need to fully get the forces at work inherent in attention-grabbing media coverage.

At the end of the day, what’s it come down to? Register if you’re not registered. Follow the campaign and news coverage like it matters. Form your own opinions. Go vote. If you have to, take November 2nd off.

It might not be as glamorous as a drive in a flash Maserati, but if you complain or applaud what our future president does during the next four years, at least you’ll have had a part in making history.

You can register right now at Rock the Vote’s site. Do it now!

To find out for yourself what policies and opinions our candidates have, visit the sites of President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry.

AAE Tori Pugliese will vote in Connecticut on November 2nd. RLM will be closed and not answering the phones to enable employees to participate in the process by voting, campaigning, and making a difference at local polling places.