C-SPAN: 25 YEARS VIEWER CALL-IN CONTEST

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Grand Prize Winner

Erika Barger
Ormond Beach, FL
Cable Company: Bright House Networks

A Memorable C-SPAN Moment

Since a chance meeting with President Bush in 2002, I became interested in politics and the workings of our government. Every morning I awaken to the sounds of C-SPAN's Washington Journal before going to school. My favorite segment on C-SPAN is the viewer call-in sessions. I feel that it is crucial for viewers to express their opinions, whether they agree or disagree with the guests.

My most memorable call-in session was on a Friday, when students in my district had a free day from school. I recall rousing that morning to hear the voice of Sam Wineburg, a professor from Stanford University, discussing the importance of history among today's young people. My listening became even more intent as I was curious to know what Mr. Wineburg had to say. He stated that students rarely read history books for pleasure and most cannot properly date the Civil War.

As a history buff, I knew I had to call in and let all know that this does not apply to all students. I raced for the telephone and called in to express my opinion on this important issue. Several minutes passed and I was on the air. Sam Wineburg seemed quite surprised that a high school sophomore would be calling C-SPAN on a Friday morning to respond to his comments. Since that time, it has given me greater confidence to listen to others' opinions. What they have to say is important to them. They desire to be heard, and deserve that chance.

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Additional Winners

Christina Carlson
Lihue, HI
Cable Company: Time Warner Cable

Why I Watch and/or Participate in Viewer Call-ins on C-SPAN

I watch and/or participate in viewer call-ins on C-SPAN because I can't help it! I've been an unabashed "C-SPAN junkie" for nearly 20 years, and am all the richer for it. There is no other t.v. programming as interesting and informative. It is a national treasure of free-speech, with class.

C-SPAN viewer call-in programs provide a smorgasbord of current and reliable information not otherwise available to me. I live and teach middle-school math and social studies on Kauai (Hawaii), where tourists pay dearly to "get away from it all." And this is about as far as one can get from serious intellectual discourse! C-SPAN viewer call-ins provide committed lifelong learners with virtual graduate level seminars in subjects ranging from international affairs, economics, political science, public health, government policies, world religions, literature, science and technology. These "courses" present vignettes in 21st century world history and culture as it unfolds, and without editing.

C-SPAN's guests are unscripted, speaking solely from their personal knowledge, experience and convictions. They respond to callers' comments and questions directly (and often, candidly) while looking us right in the eye. The callers, who are sometimes experts on the topic being discussed (and often, not), provide alternative points of view on important issues. Plus, I can "weigh in" at any time, if I persevere. Most of all, I appreciate each of C-SPAN's wonderful, unflappable hosts, who facilitate "lively" dialogue between callers and guests and in a non-partisan, unbiased and consistently gracious manner. Please don't ever "cut me off!".

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Stephanie Clemens
State College, PA
Cable Company: Adelphia

Every morning I wake my husband up to the issue that is being discussed on C-SPAN's Washington Journal call-in show. Occasionally the topic doesn't excite me, but usually, the morning starts off for my husband by me complaining about what a guest or viewer has said on the show. He is a PHD student in aerospace engineering and I am a water quality specialist, but secretly we are hardcore home-grown political analysts. We discovered this show only a few years ago, but ever since we have been hooked.

One show that particularly interested me was the show with Gail Norton. Not being a huge fan of hers, I was immediately calling for my husband to join me in my attacks on Secretary Norton's views. Although I was unsuccessful with getting through on the phone, those that did succeed with getting through did the work for me. Not many callers were in agreement with her views and it was quite amusing to watch the host sit still while she was bombarded over and over again by hot-tempered viewers.

I often wonder what the daily host thinks of the guests on the show and I must applaud all of you for doing an excellent job of staying neutral. It is difficult these days to find news that is as impartial. Please know that we will continue to join you each morning - not only for the entertainment it provides, but also for opportunities to learn more about important issues for this country.

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Andrew Emerson
Dallas, TX
Cable Company: Comcast

C-SPAN's commitment to presentation of the spectrum of political thought with total objectivity, and without editorial comment, is an oasis in the ever-growing wasteland of television news coverage. It also is a never-ending source of amusement for me in watching your call in hosts maintain stoic, but polite expressions in the midst of fielding a panoply of political expression that ranges from the thoughtful and well reasoned to the zany.

Sometimes the viewer call in yields wonderful political theatre, which leads to my favorite C-SPAN moment. Several years ago the famed biographer Robert Caro was your guest during a call-in session that largely focused on his most recent tome on the Senate years of Lyndon Johnson--MASTER OF THE SENATE. Anyone who reads Caro's series soon appreciates that Johnson is presented "warts and all." While admiring of Johnson's uncanny ability to divine the sources of power and his deft use of that power, Caro never shies from illustrating Johnson's treacherous ways and unmitigated earthiness. In the midst of the show, a relative of Johnson called in and in that short span, fireworks ensued. The Johnson relative spewed invective at Mr. Caro's supposed libelous and disingenuous ways. Mr. Caro never lost his cool and never gave an inch as he deftly defended his work. Of course, the call-in host had no comment pro or con. In closing, C-SPAN is the finest use of the medium that I have seen. Continue your wonderful contribution to the democratic process.

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Robert Ewoldt
Chicago, IL
Web

"Well, I really am going to wait until I pick up my morning paper to be able to talk anything about it, because I'm certainly not going to express an opinion and not know what I'm expressing an opinion on," the caller said.

"Then why did you call us this morning," host Brian Lamb asked her.

"Because I have been listening for 20 years, and I've been trying and trying and one time I got through and they quit taking calls; and I really like this program," the caller, Ethelyn Rielly, responded.

Mr. Lamb then asked her about her life (she's an 85-year-old retired Army medic who is divorced from her military husband, and has traveled extensively). It's this personal nature of the call-in shows that draws me back time and time again.

Sure, there's lively and informative debate, too. I've watched balanced debate about embryonic stem cell research, energy legislation, and judicial nominations. I've watched entertaining shows with Newt Gingrich and Ann Coulter and Ana Marie Cox of the Wonkette blog. I loved to see two young politicians Grant Woodard from the College Democrats and Eric Hoplin from the College Republicans sharing the Washington Journal table with each other.

But my favorite moments are those like the time a 12-year-old called in toward the end of a Friday show, and Mr. Lamb asked him, Why aren't you in school? It's the youngster and the Ethelyn M. Rielly of the world that make C-SPAN's call-in shows so timeless.

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Scott Gray
Birmingham, AL
Cable Company: Charter Communications

"The ancient Romans had a tradition; whenever one of their engineers constructed an arch, as the capstone was hoisted into place, the engineer assumed accountability for his work in the most profound way possible; he stood under the arch." Michael Armstrong's profound words illustrate the importance of C-SPAN as a service of political accountability.

In an effective democracy, citizens must be permitted direct contact with elected leaders. Today's political climate in America has created an era where elected leaders seldom communicate directly with constituents. C-SPAN created an avenue where the American people serve as the ultimate lobbying group by calling to voice their own varied opinions.

Viewer call-ins have granted me new perspective both as a young American and as an aspiring political leader. I long desired to personally express my thoughts to the Republican leaders I have so admired. That proved almost impossible as a young American with no political clout. After a year, I had not received a personal response from any elected leader. That was when I discovered C-SPAN, my portal into government. Senators answered questions directly from the American people, and I discovered a new craving for political information.

Viewer call-ins have transformed me into an American eager to serve in elected office and to be able to answer the questions of concerned citizens. For this American, C-SPAN has brought the beauty and eloquence of government to me in a direct manner, something I believe too many classrooms fail to do.

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Judy Hammond
Alachua, FL
Cable Company: Communicom

C-SPAN helped me become an American. Sure I knew the basics. There was a president and there were two major parties. I'm from Canada, and that information gets through the border. But it was the mornings spent watching the Washington Journal that put meat on the bones of textbook politics, turned me into a political activist, and threw me forever in the maelstrom of the American system. As soon as I discovered Washington Journal it became an invaluable branch of the glorious morning trinity: coffee, newspaper, WJ.

The politicians and pundits became the star celebs in my galaxy. Their opinions and arguments honed my own opinions. And the generous time allotted to each guest allow two-fisted, hefty chunks of thought to wallow in, enjoy, or decry.

WJ doesn't let you waste your time. It sifts out the news that isn't fit to print or broadcast. It never lets go of the twin reins of politics and policy, and never talks down to a viewer. How the hosts maintain an almost preternatural calm every morning, never voicing a strident opinion or indulging in argument is yet another reason for admiration. After all the years I've watched I still can't guess the political preference of any host.

Living history, that's what C-SPAN is. The Senate and the House become available, and Washington Journal explains, fills in the missing bits, and wakes you up in the morning with a good healthy dose of America.

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