October 31 - November 7, 2012; Ohio and Chicago, Illinois
Contact: Washington Foreign Press Center Media Relations Officers: Jean Duggan-Foschetti, 202-504-6314, email: dugganjc@state.gov; Stephanie Kuck, 202-504-6354, emai: kucksr2@state.gov
The FPC’s foreign reporting tour to Ohio and Chicago for the presidential election included 25 journalists nominated by U.S. embassies from every region, including countries as diverse as Oman, Argentina, China, Pakistan, and Colombia. The group first traveled around Ohio to learn why it was a key battleground state. They met with the Ohio Manufacturers Association, as well as a Columbus public-private organization focused on developing business growth to learn how the economy has affected the business sector. They visited the Ohio headquarters for both political parties, and attended a GOP rally in Lima, Ohio, featuring Speaker of the House John Boehner. While in Chicago, they heard on how foreign policy factors into the election from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. After visiting a couple of polling stations, the group attended Obama’s election night viewing party at McCormick Place, where they were able to report back live to their home countries on the results.
