Kenneth P. Vogel (CFP 2005-2006) is a reporter for the Washington Bureau of The New York Times. Prior to his fellowship year, he was a political reporter at The News Tribune in Tacoma, Washington. He also has held positions at The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), The Center for Public Integrity, and the Journal Inquirer (Manchester, Connecticut). Mr. Vogel spent his fellowship year on the House Government Reform Committee (Democratic staff) and House Homeland Security Committee (Republican staff).
Why did you apply to the Congressional Fellowship Program?
I had covered government and politics at various levels — from school boards and cop shops to state houses and gubernatorial races — for papers around the country, and I really wanted to try my hand at covering Congress and presidential politics. But each time I applied to editors in Washington, D.C., I was told I lacked the Washington experience necessary to cover national politics and government. I saw the fellowship as alternate means to get that experience — and it fit the bill perfectly.
What issues did you cover and what types of work did you do for your host office during your fellowship year?
What were some of the highlights of the fellowship year?
I benefited from the speakers arranged by APSA, as well as the chance to watch government-media interactions from the other side. I also enjoyed the camaraderie of working with other staff members — and even met my wife on one of the committees on which I worked.
What impact has the CFP experience had on your subsequent career?
Not only did the fellowship give me an understanding of Congress that I think would have been difficult to obtain from the outside, but it helped me get my foot in the door of the Washington media in a way that I had struggled to do from outside D.C.