Youth Part First Night

Really great retell of a situation Jackie Borchardt from Politics West recalls of her first evening of DNC08

""We need more young people like you," a California delegate said to me while I slurped a lemonade outside the convention hall.

I set the record straight: I'm not here for Democratic Party business. I'm a journalist here to learn about the relationship between the news media and politics.

Still, he said, the world needs more aware young people.
Message to other 23 year olds who might be walking around the Pepsi Center this week: you are carrying a lot of weight. Whether or not the "youth vote" exists, people are paying attention to the presence of youth in this convention."

She's right. There seems to be a powerful lip-service in the air, like all the politicians got the memo and talking points. Tonight's Gavel to Gavel featured a lot of conversation about things like college affordability and veterans - two big issues to young people care deeply about.

I wish someone would have passed the memo onto Hollywood because they were reluctant to discuss young voters further than to say they hoped young people voted. This was a direct contrast from the unbelievable appearencees today by Kerry Washington and Will.i.Am who both attended the DNC Youth Council's press avail to talk about service and outreach to young people.

Tonight, however than being with my "people" at a nice political youthy event, I braved the dark tedious night of standing outside the Rolling Stone/Trojan event geared toward conveying the importance of safe sex.

First to roll in was former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders, who quite honestly, was the most on topic, well versed person I've seen address the issue of safe sex and comprehensive sex education. No surprise. She related the importance of safe sex to young people and answered my questions about the youth vote.

An hour later..... very few people who came through the door, and possibly two politicians total, Bill Mahr showed up. His interviews were all pre-set and he had no interests answering any questions about young voters or the youth movement. Given his prominence as a liberal media voice, you would think young voters would be something he would be considerably well versed on and eager to talk about. We should send him the memo.

Another hour a steady stream of celebs rolled through following an event for the Creative Coalition a truly unbelievable organization that helps better educate members of the creative community about issues that matter to their community.

Spike Lee was eager to tell young voters to VOTE, Alan Cummings waved a Michelle sign around, Susan Sarandon reminded us all that she has two young voters at home, but it was surprising the last two people who came by me who I'm sure you'll recognize who genuinely articulated their urgency for better health care.

I'll have the video uploaded soon, so you can hear more then. I did get some good video of the Trojan guy talking about the event as well as the Rolling Stone guy all who were well versed on topics about young people and safe sex practices.