There’s nothing quite like diving right in.

That’s what I’ll be doing in Denver, where I’ll be for the start of my new post as the Forward’s political correspondent, just in time for the week-long Barack Obama infomercial also known as the Democratic National Convention.

Along with Nathan Guttman, the paper’s Washington correspondent, I’ll be covering the convention’s Jewish story, delving into the intersection of faith and politics that’s suddenly become popular with Democratic leaders, exploring the high-profile roles given to Jewish leaders and attending various events in the Mile High City.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Then it’s off to Minnesota for the Republican convention and coronation of John McCain as the GOP nominee. One hard to miss story there will be the speaking role of Democrat-turned-independent U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, the Democratic nominee for vice president eight years ago. And in case you’re wondering, we’re not related, though my family does now live in Connecticut.

While I’m new to the Jewish beat and the Forward, I’m not new to politics, election coverage or the candidates.

I bring nearly 16 years of experience covering politics to the job. I most recently served as Washington correspondent for The Harrisburg Patriot-News and Newhouse News Service with stories published in newspapers across the country, iincluding the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Newark Star-Ledger, New Orleans Times-Picayune and Seattle Times. I interviewed Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton each three times last spring as they battled for the Pennsylvania primary. In fact, I spent more of Passover with them than I did with my own family.

I’ve also interviewed McCain in the past, sat down with President Bush three times and have had the opportunity to cover high-profile Senate and congressional races.

I’ve been on the other side of the microphone or camera as well, being interviewed for programs on MSNBC, PBS, C-Span and even a French radio network.

My goal, especially as we revive the Campaign Confidential blog, is to have fun, be tough, fair and get past the campaign’s talking points. To do that, I need your help as well. Feedback, ideas and criticism is always welcome and encouraged. Drop me a line at [email protected].

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount