2nd of 4 Part Series of Citizen Journalists:Can a “Centrist” Citizen Journalist Make a Difference at the Repub/Dem Conventions? Interview with Solomon Kleinsmith

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Presumably the question should be, can ANY journalist make a difference in the reporting that comes out of the carefully-crafted messages that are delivered to the public by the spinmeisters of both parties.

Hopefully, the answer will be “yes” with the proviso that citizen journalists with a centrist bent can (1) gain access and (2) find an audience.  Tough sledding, but not for Solomon Kleinsmith.  Solomon who, along with another fellow “Citizen Journalist,” Jessica Eise, will attempt to get questions answered that the Main Stream Media don’t even consider asking.  (Jessica is interviewed elsewhere by me here on WGRNradio.com)

The two were selected by LinkTV and United Republic (links below) to be “Citizen Journalists” to attend both the RNC and DNC national conventions – complete with press passes and instructions to get the best stories possible.

It wasn’t easy being selected, as there were many fine candidates and discerning judging to get past.  (See also the interviews here on WGRNradio.com with Evelyn Messinger and Andre Sternberg.)  Perhaps it was his dogged determination to take the middle path and his pedigree marked by political blogging, voter registration, online outreach & guerrilla style marketing and creating a significant audience for his work.  (Displayed well at www.CentristsRising.com.)

Whatever the criteria (trust me), he qualifies.

One can only wonder whether anyone at the candidate or delegate level at these conventions will qualify to answer (honestly) the questions that Solomon will ask.  Here is a man who loves politics, but “dislikes political people” (which makes perfect sense to me), a person who has transitioned from a “complete hobby blogger to ‘amateur professional.’”  If that sounds a bit like today’s version of a social media based “renaissance man,” it should.

Enjoy the interview.

Have any questions you would like Solomon to ask on your behalf?  Solomon’s email is solomon.kleinsmith@gmail.com.  He is on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/solomonkleinsmith.  More info on this special project can be found at www.LinkTV.or/voicesup and at www.unitedrepublic.org.