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John King, CNN’s Chief National Correspondent Speaks to APC

John King brought a written speech for today’s luncheon, but didn’t use it. He told the APC that after chatting with new his acquaintances during lunch he had decided he would talk for a little while and then just take questions. Why you ask? Because he would rather answer what we wanted to know rather than talk about what “a Washington correspondent thinks you want to hear.” King’s personality appeared to be down to earth even before this statement. When CNN said they had a car to take him to the Commerce Club, he declined, and said he would just walk the few blocks.

Before receiving questions, he discussed different facets of the past 2008 presidential election. “We will never see another election like this one,” King said, referring to how many demographics became involved and contributed to this election. “Politics is math,” King said, trying to convey that the more votes you get means you are the winner. Women, African-Americans, and Latinos were making an impact like they never had in past elections, and realizing this fact is what assisted in what made Obama so successful.

King also discussed the “Obama Brand,” and how it contributed to his success in the campaign. His example of this was if a bill goes through congress with the Obama Brand, then it receives about 50% approval, however; if it is just a bill without correlation to Obama this approval decreases about 20%. Obama and his operation knew how to work their branding. They knew they had a young audience, and how to appeal to them by using communication channels such as the internet (via YouTube and e-mails), cell phones and text messaging, the television, etc.

With politics as his main discussion, it was no surprise that many of the questions at the end of the lecture were politically inclined as well. He answered his audience’s questions with no hurry, and made sure he answered what they wanted to know.

Table Sponsors for this event included: CNN, European Union Center of Excellence at Ga Tech, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta, State Farm Insurance, and Troutman Sanders, LLP. Approximately 100 people attended this event.

Posted by CaitlinWatts, Atlanta Press Club Intern