September 11, 2007
Presidential Interviews From a Dorm Room
James Kotecki, a recent graduate of Georgetown University, is 99 percent sure that he conducted the first-ever interview with a presidential candidate in a college dorm room last spring when Ron Paul dropped by for a conversation.
For 30 minutes, Mr. Paul, a Republican and U.S. congressman from Texas, talked with Mr. Kotecki about a range of issues, including monetary policy, war, and the importance of the Internet.
The two conversed in front of a backdrop of tan-colored furniture, on which various detritus of college life was displayed: books, snapshots, cereal boxes, bottles of lotion.
Actually, it seemed relatively tidy for a dorm room. But, Mr. Kotecki says, “a lot of people pointed out that it was kind of messy.”
So, before the next candidate — Mike Gravel, a Democrat and former U.S. senator from Alaska — swung through a few weeks later, he says, he straightened up a bit more.
Mr. Kotecki, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in foreign service, has made a name for himself by offering critiques of the presidential candidates’ YouTube offerings. To make them more effective, he tells candidates, their videos should be shorter, more intimate, more casual, even funny.
Young voters are generally cynical about political ads, the 21-year-old says, especially since they are well versed in how media images can be easily manipulated through Photoshop and other editing tools.
Mr. Kotecki says candidates can win points among youth for appearing genuine, such as when Bill Richardson appears on YouTube looking a bit bleary-eyed after flying back from North Korea. He also likes it when candidates respond to individuals directly — especially, of course, when they talk to him.
Sara Hebel | Posted on Tuesday September 11, 2007 | PermalinkComments
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Most students are being held back from learning about and preparing for college because of their financial and social circumstances. What will the candidates do to support the TRIO programs and GEAR Up that work with first-generation college potential, low-income and disabled Americans working to go to college and obtain college degrees.
— Reggie Sep 11, 03:25 PM #
I applaud this student, his effort, persistence, creativity, and professionalism. Perhaps he needs to consider politics as a career. He must be very persuasive.
William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
— William Allan Kritsonis, PhD Sep 12, 12:09 PM #
James Kotecki is going to achieve great things. I’ve seems many of his videos and they are excellent.
Also, I’m a great supporter of Ron Paul. I would suggest visiting YouTube and searching ‘Ron Paul’ to learn more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFfdB5OzlyQ
— Voltaire Sep 12, 02:07 PM #
Reggie…who says that those programs are the medicine for the problem? Are they more poverty pimping? Is it really the federal government’s job to take care of anyone except veterans? It seems to be taking care of contractors and federal employees more than anybody else. Ron Paul would probably address this with a sound economy, ending corporate welfare, and allowing states and private institutions to educate children without federal interferance. He would take the federal government out of your home life and your wallet as much as possible…which is where it should be. That is what self, family, community, local, and state governments are for. I am taking a long look at the US Constitution…because what I was taught about Federal government is not really in there. Read if for yourself, along with your state consitution. Ron Paul 2008!
By the way, I am a disabled, low-income, minority.
— Sunshinysmile Sep 13, 06:18 PM #