print | email

Mark Isaacson

Why are you interested in public service and why did you apply to this internship?
Public service has a significant effect on everyone's lives, yet many choose not to be involved in it at all.  I refuse to be that way and want to have a role in making sure the government works as it should.  I applied for the internship largely because of my work as a liaison with political strategist and CNN contributor Alex Castellanos when he was a fellow in fall 2007.  I gained an appreciation for the media and what it does, and wanted to gain a better understanding through a summer internship.

In about two sentences, please describe the main responsibilities of your internship this summer.
One of my primary duties is compiling research packets on the week's guests.  In addition, I've helped with graphics elements, transcribing, and writing; on Sundays I greet and manage the guests and contributors.

What are you working on this week?
This week, the show featured David Axelrod, Nancy Pelosi, and Mitch McConnell, so our work centered around them.  The topics of the week included healthcare and the Henry Gates controversy.  I've also been working on my own piece on the Texas gubernatorial race that I'm writing, editing, and narrating.  It's not for the air, but I'll get to keep it for my resume. 

Have you had any "face time" with the head of the office yet?
Definitely.  John King is on the road a few days every week, but I get to interact with him when he's in the office.  He's very accessible and always happy to talk.  The Executive Producer is also very involved with the interns and supportive of all we do.

Of the staff at the office, whose job do you think is the most interesting?
John King's of course.  Wolf Blitzer's isn't bad either.

Have any really exciting guests/visitors come by the office recently?
Mitch McConnell, Colin Powell, Dianne Feinstein, Richard Lugar, Peter Orszag, Kathleen Sebelius, and Jeff Sessions have all been on the show in the last few weeks.

Have you worked on any fun events/projects yet at your job?
I accompanied John and our Executive Producer to Capitol Hill for John's interview with Nancy Pelosi.

In one sentence or less, tell me something you learned either from or about your job that everyone should know.
It takes many people to put on a TV show; even the simplest of details requires a good deal of preparation. 

Have you had an experience during your internship recently that has shown you the importance of politics and public service?
Holding leaders accountable and keeping the public informed are the primary duties of a news program such as "State of the Union." Through the many interviews I've seen, I've recognized that this is a critical role that only the media are adequately prepared to accomplish.