To the Man (or Woman) on the Street

Today I'm working on a topic that's become a buzzword in politics --- pork barrel spending. I was a poli sci major in school, so anything political has a special place of interest for me. Anything with a government also means it involves everyday people. When those people appear on camera, many people in news call it "man on the street" interviews. It's a great way to meet new and wonderful folks, but it's often one of the more challenging parts of the job.

Generally we set up at a gas station, grocery store or anywhere with high traffic. The problem is, for every person jumping for their 5 minutes of fame, there are a lot of shy people out there. It becomes a little bit like being one of the people trying to rub lotion on you or straighten your hair at the kiosks at the mall. I (politely) chase after people and try to convince them that they want to be on camera. Some walk to the other side of the parking lot, others make a beeline for their cars. I can't say I don't understand. There are topics I wouldn't want to talk about on camera either and yes, Louisiana often has the makings for a day where your hair should be under a hat, not broadcast for the entire region to see. But then again, how often do you get a chance to voice your opinion? Plus it's the small screen without the humiliation or time that it takes for a reality show. So if you ever see me out there, pat down the hair, take a deep breath and come on over. We'll both be glad you did.