With CNN hosting the presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan library this week, I thought it would be fun to talk to some CNN photojournalists about covering the man himself. This era was, as Mark Walz, a CNN Photojournalist who you’ll see in the video above said, “the golden age of television”.
Walz is just one regular in the the Presidential “pool” of photographers who cover administrations.
They know the place inside out.
They should.
They travel with presidents, from Reagan to Obama. Many of these journalists have filmed moments that remind us how great our leaders are, or once were.
The first time I rode a press charter was during President George W. Bush’s administration. There was this network photojournalist who stood up in the very decorated portion of our press plane, which was all the way back. There he stood on his seat when we hit turbulence … he pretended to be riding a horse.
I was young and impressionable — so I wanted to do the same thing.
Once they get into the ‘bubble,’ many don’t leave — and if you hang out long enough just outside the northwest White House gates, you may even have the chance to meet one of them in person.
I can tell you they would love to meet you — to talk and tell you their stories — if you happen to have a cigar or, even better, time for a drink.
Ok, maybe that’s a generalization. Not everyone likes to talk but they’ll all get the shot that’s needed. And if you happen to be involved in a scandal or some news of the day, your image will be on Twitter soon, and these visual journalists make it happen.
Enjoy the video above to hear some CNN’ers present and former who covered ‘The Gipper.’