The inspiration was quite American: a few cold beers, a Fourth of July and a birthday all jumbled into one. The planning was simple enough, but putting the plan into practice and following through was something ElectionCycle.com’s Tim Foley might have underestimated.
Foley, a 2004 NCAA All-American at the University of Virginia and current student at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, stepped away from coaching at Columbia to pursue an idea he concocted hastily on July 4.
With a focus on journalism, Foley wanted to find out what issues and thoughts voters were concerned about heading into November’s hotly-contested election.
“I wanted to go out and start writing and I had the time,” said Foley. “The maturation of thought goes … it just keeps piling up on you. I thought it would be a good idea. I figured during the election it would be a good idea to get out there and do something that Fox News and CNN only fain to do. They only want to sell sensationalism.”
Foley wanted to find out what voters really are thinking.
Instead of walking around New York City or cold calling people around the country, Foley decided trek across the eastern United States on a bike, starting in NYC and finishing in New Orleans.
“People are sick of all politicians doing is fighting,” explained Foley. “I wanted to make it mean something else and get the public’s viewpoint. In an economic crisis like this, idealistically, I wanted to showcase their thoughts.”
Foley’s method of transportation on a bike, was, as he put it, environmentally friendly in a world where gas has been expensive.
“I also like cycling,” he said.
From a cloudy idea to a formulated plan, Foley launched ElectionCycle.com, a web site documenting his trip and profiling 50 voters in 50 days. Geographically, it will take have taken him through 13 states and the nation’s capital.
The first day, a 65-mile trip from New York City to Lambertville, N.J., Foley might have thought he bit off more than he could chew. Riding with former college teammate Conor Manley for the day, Foley recalled mid-90’s heat and literally, the pain in his rear.
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