WSEE Newswatch’s Jacqueline Policastro is not letting her new anchor chair get warm. Since her arrival in Erie from Lilly Broadcasting’s Washington bureau on July 1st, she’s been all over the country, participating in a Washington reporting fellowship, and over the past two weeks bringing live reports from the national party conventions, the only Erie reporter to do so. In addition to reporting for Channel 35, Policastro is also feeding Lilly’s WENY/Elmira. Despite 20-hour days reporting and editing, Wednesday night, right after her 6:00 PM live shot from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, she made time to call The Press and Tower.

Understanding that her two-year experience in Washington as a regional reporter has given her a wealth of experience with national elected officials that local market reporters seldom receive, I asked Policastro about the differences a typical beat reporter would find alarming or amazing about covering an event like a national party convention.

“I think the thing that people have to realize is that in a situation like this convention, we as local reporters are much more valuable to elected officials than the national reporters at the cable networks and national newspapers. Our reports are a direct line to a Congressman’s or Senator’s constituents, so you’ll find that staffers go out of their way to respond to a local reporter’s request for interviews,” Policastro said.

As far as security at the conventions, Policastro called the heavy lockdown a piece of cake compared to reporting in the Capital. “I was a one-man band, so when I was going to the Hill for a series of interviews, I would have to go through security six to eight times a day; lugging my gear, unpacking it, scanning it, repack it, do the story, and repeat the process at the next location. Here at the Republican convention they have separate news media entrances and it is much easier to deal with. However reporters and delegates have to worry about different things such as aerosol hairspray, which you can’t bring into the arena.”

Policastro and the other local reporters covering the conventions are finding the hometown delegates available for coverage and very enthusiastic; excited that the local media went out of their way to tell their stories of why the delegates are involved in the political process. She pointed out that this is a prime opportunity for many convention participants to interface with their representatives in their party, and the event is a unique and exciting environment.

Those delegates are also staying “on message,” especially the Republicans as they defend John McCain’s choice for VP, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Policastro noted, “I find that they are either passionate about the candidates, or committed to keeping party unity and the platform moving forward. So whether it is through their natural political skills or digesting talking points, we are hearing a unified message. Remember, these folks have a political agenda, that’s why they are here. It’s my job to get past all of the spin out there and hopefully provide some coverage that helps the viewers understand how much of a moment in history this election is.”

Tonight John McCain will give his acceptance speech of the Republican nomination at their convention in St. Paul. And like during Barack Obama’s speech a week before, Jacqueline Policastro will be in the media gallery, looking for the local angle that brings the big event meaning to the hometown viewers in Erie. She’s looking forward to next week when she can begin to start settling down in her new home.

Editor’s note: Policastro is an avid blogger. Find her at WSEE’s Washington Watch.