State Dept. Spokesman Talks Shop with Young Members

State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley met with Young Members July 13 for a discussion on geopolitics and the inner-workings of the Obama administration’s foreign policy shop.

Crowley walked YMs through an average day at the State Department, describing how the public affairs office develops press guidance and discusses the issues of the day, as well as how he prepares to meet the press.

He then fielded YMs’ questions on the department's efforts to promote U.S. foreign policy abroad as well as at home, where Crowley said he is working to increase the agency’s responsiveness to regional news organizations and its visibility among average Americans.

Speaking on the State Department’s relationship with journalists, Crowley said one of the agency’s special responsibilities is looking “after the welfare of journalists around the world.”

Despite receiving hard questions from the press on a daily basis, he told YMs that he still “bounces” to the podium.

“What I do is important,” he said. “I firmly believe that, and I enjoy every day.”

Crowley's session was part of the series produced by the Young Members Committee in which veteran journalists and PR pros share their experiences, answer questions and network with NPC members under 35.

-- Ben Dooley, [email protected]