So, My Daughter Met John Edwards aka Why Kids Should Be Able To Vote

[Justice]

I've mentioned that my parents, brother, sister and brother in law all live in NH, and that my dad is working for Kerry, my brother for Dean, sister and brother in law for Edwards. My mom has gone to Clark events with me, and Edwards events - she likes Clark and likes Edwards. Makes for very informed lively discussions at holiday times. (I will add that except for my brother, our political activism was borne on December 12, 2000 - we have volunteered in local, state and now national campaigns)

Anyway, my sister took my 8 year old daughter to an Edwards event last week. The Edwards campaign people treated her like royalty - teeshirt, sticker, seat etc. Edwards came over to my sister, knowing her from previous events. My sister introduced my daughter to him - he was extremely kind to her and my daughter asked if he could autograph his book. Then someone pulled him away. He circled back immediately, talked more to my daughter and signed her book. Very impressive considering she can't vote!

Anyway, my daughter listened to Edwards and looked at his book. She came home to me and quizzed me on Clark's positions on matters that meant the most to her -- what will Clark do for teachers, what will Clark do for education, what does Clark say about the environment? She pointed to Edwards' positions in his book and repeated things he had said. I was actually surprised at how much substantive information she retained - and impressed that she got it - she knew what mattered, she was asking good questions. When she does kids voting at school (which they always do), she told me she is going to have a hard time deciding who to vote for.

If only we let kids vote, I bet we'd elect good people who focus on some of the issues that our kids (aka our future) really care about!

[Colin Ex]

1. Interesting that you bring this up.

A few weeks or so ago, there were a few threads started on lowering the voting age to 16. Everybody pretty much had a huge freakout at the prospect, yelling that they'd only vote the way their parents did (note -- 90% of people vote the way their parents do anyway).

Other people said that even at 18 people are too stupid to vote, and even others argued in favour of poll exams you should be forced to take before voting (note -- poll exams are unconstitutional).

Anyway, that's the story thus far. Your story paints Edwards in a great light, by the way.

-C

[curse10]

3. Man, I'm glad I didn't see that thread

I would have had posts deleted :-)


I think at 16 I was more politcally aware than most adults out there. I would be in favor of lowering the voting age. Get kids involved with the process.

[CalebHayes]

4. I know how we could win...

Make voters take an IQ test. 130 and up can vote. This way I (13 years old) could vote and Bush could not.

there's no point for democracy when ignorance is celebrated - NOFX

[CalebHayes]

2. Reminds me of well, me!

I was the same. At 10 years of age I volunteered for Gore in 2000. I in the HQ all most every day. It has become on addiction for me.

[arewethereyet]

5. Edwards is the best communicator in the field hands down

and not just to cute little girls. Goes to show just how astounding that guy really is.

[CalebHayes]

7. Now I am getting all raved up about Edwards

:dem:

[Justice]

9. People Say He Has Great Passion in Person

My mom, who also attended, said he has great passion in person - she was very impressed. She watched him later that same night on TV and said he comes across 100% better in person (which I am beginning to think everyone does in large part).

One of my law partners is a big supporter of Edwards and really thinks highly of him.

In fact, most people I know (including myself) think highly of Edwards. I can't help but think of Clinton pre-1992. Edwards is a future leader of our party. I just don't know if it is his time yet. I say that with an open mind.

But if Edwards is not on the ticket, there is nothing that would please me more than to watch Edwards remove the velvet drapes at the Justice Dept on the day he takes over as Attorney General.

[spooky3]

10. LOL, love your last line!

I know a lot of folks have drawn parallels to Clinton, and I like Clinton a lot (both of them, actually), but I think he and Edwards have very different personalities.

[bearfartinthewoods]

11. i wish they would rerun the c-span piece from his town hall last summer

he was amazing. no notecards needed for sure.

[rumguy]

6. Great story!

Edwards is a good guy...

[Scaramouche]

8. Ever see the film " Wild in the Streets?"

It ends with the Idea of voting at the age of 15...

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0063808/

Max Frost, a 24-year old rock star millionaire, joins causes with a California politician to get the vote for 15-year olds. He continues his master plan by helping elect one of his groupies to the senate. Max and his cohorts resort to trickery to get congress to lower the minimum age requirements for higher office, and he's on his way to the Oval Office with his youth-controlled police state agenda....

Winning in a landslide, he issues his first presidential edict: All oldsters are required to live in "retirement homes" where they are forced to ingest LSD, taking the 60s catch phrase "Never trust anyone over 30" to its most extreme consequences.

Scaramouche rates this as a must see movie!!!!

At least 4- :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: