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     The Fitzwater Center's political reporting was chosen from among 12 other schools to provide local election night coverage that will featured be on Dan Rather's Emmy Award winning news show.

     Following their YouTube coverage of the recent New Hampshire Congressional Debates, political journalists from the Fitzwater Center will create news reports from local polling stations to be shown on "Dan Rather Reports."  The weekly news program, featuring Rather's field reports, has aired on the satellite television station HDNet since 2006.  Tuesday night's show will be a special edition report entitled "Dan Rather Reports on Politics: Election Night 2008." 

     "They called us," said Fitzwater Center Director Dr. Kristen Nevious.  "They connected with schools in each swing state and one from each of the candidate's home states." Eight states remain labeled "swing states," or states with a majority of voters still undecided.

     According to HDNet, "The overall idea is to have a snapshot of what's happening in each of these states on Election Day.  These should not be campus focused, but instead be out in your city or town.  They should be ‘Sights and Sounds' pieces."

     The network has also sent a High Definition camera to be used in the reporting.  Edited reports will be sent electronically to HDNet throughout the day, prior to Rather's 7:00 p.m. show.

     "We are just thrilled to have the opportunity," said Nevious.  [The show's representative] was familiar with our work, so she must have seen our primary and debate coverage on YouTube."

     Aside from reporting for Rather, the Fitzwater Center will also have reporters covering Election Day locally for its YouTube channel and a live studio broadcast of  "Politically Speaking" leading up to the Election results.  With full crews needed for each of these three functions, auditions were held Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to get as many Mass Communications students involved, particularly Fitzwater Scholarship recipients.

     "We still need some people for ground crew," said Administrative Assistant Laura Perez, referring to the technical, behind-the-scenes positions not yet filled.

     Randy Bernosky, a senior broadcast major, auditioned for a news anchor position.  "I feel it would be a great opportunity to work and be on camera. This would also be a great opportunity to have this on your résumé for future employers to look at."

     Rather, a CBS Evening News anchor for 24 years, retired from the network in 2005, after questions about the authenticity of his reports resulted in a nationwide petition for his resignation.  He began his HDNet program in 2006.

     "It's Dan Rather," said Nevious.  "Regardless of how his career ended at CBS, we're thrilled to have this opportunity."

     "Dan Rather Reports on Politics: Election Night 2008" will air Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. on HDNet.  At the same time, a special Election Night edition of "Politically Speaking" with Andrew Berger, Eric Jackman and Justin Martell will be broadcast on campus.  For complete election coverage, visit the Fitzwater Center's YouTube channel, PoliticsFitzU.