The College of Charleston and its Department of Communication are covering the presidential race from a different perspective. The college will invite presidential candidates from the two major political parties to campus to discuss the importance of presidential communication with the press and public.

I found this announcement particularly exciting. Last year I taught as an adjunct in the College of Charleston’s Department of Communication. I found the students often didn’t know much about free press and sometimes misunderstand the role of the media in our society.

"The Bully Pulpit Series: Reflections on Presidential Communication" asks the individual presidential candidates to speak with students and Charleston community members on such topics as the frequency of press conferences, the candidate's relationship with journalists, and the power of the president to persuade. This non-partisan series will take place in the 12 months prior to the South Carolina presidential primaries, the first primaries to be held in the South.

Like it or not, presidents have a distinct responsibility to conduct press conferences and communicate with journalists. It will be interesting to hear how the candidates plan to work with the news media.

"Our students, faculty, and guests will learn what to expect of the president in his or her communication with the public and relationships with the press," said Brian McGee, chairman of the Department of Communication at the College of Charleston. "The series is devoted to a subject often neglected during the presidential campaign: How a successful candidate, if elected, will use the 'bully pulpit' powers of the presidency to inform, persuade and mobilize the American people."

The first invitations were sent to presidential candidates in early February. The Bully Pulpit series will offer the opportunity to subscribe to podcasts, letting listeners download the relevant audio from each candidate's lecture to their computer or MP3 player. Video portions of each lecture also will be streamed via the College's Web site (great for those of you outside the Charleston area).

Holly Fisher
Electronic Media Editor

Comments (1) >>

Presidentail Knowledge
written by Ronda Bailey on March 02, 2007

I think this is great for both the college and the community. So many people are unaware of the importance of the media's role in political campaigning. Most people have a poor view of the media, and of political parties I think the “Bully Pulpit,” is great for students and those within community who plan to follow the campaign of the next presidential hopefuls. It is vitally important the next group of journalist understand their responsibility in following, reporting, and participating the campaign trail. I am happy to hear that my Alma Matter is taking a proactive role in teaching future journalist the importance of the “Bully Pulpit.”

“A journalist is the lookout on the bridge of the ship of state. He peers through the fog and storm to give warnings of dangers ahead…. He is there to watch over the safety and the welfare of the people who trust him” (Joseph Pulitzer 1904)

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