New Hampshire media presidents talk “little” with students

by Caitlyn Blood and Sarah Rodriguez

The Presidency and the Press

Today Joseph McQuaid and Jeff Bartlett spoke to the 2011 The Presidency and the Press participants about the reality of the “little guy’s” financial situation and possibility of success in New Hampshire.

McQuaid, the president and publisher of the Union Leader said, “The little guy can get a chance, but it is money driven.” New Hampshire is one of the few places that provide a chance for lesser known presidential candidates to at least voice issues that concern he or she and the public and maybe to compete in the big show but money is still a crucial part of success.

“Candidates get measured on how much money they can raise,” added President and General manager of WMUR-TV, Bartlett. With the threat of major front runner of raising millions of dollars, or maybe even a billion, the “little guy” faces an up hill battle.

The heads of the two medias in charge of the campaign coverage in New Hampshire agreed that in recent years their trade methods have surely changed. Twitter is a rising trend that provides instant information about latest events and caused a friendly debate among the participants about the possible extinction of print and even television news.

Although there was a major shift in how campaigns, local and national, were reported, both Bartlett and McQuaid were still passionate in giving each candidate opportunities. “I would still like to see these potential candidates and how they operate,” finished McQuaid.