2008 Woodie Awards
DNC Coverage
Youth reaches out to Dems
Stephanie South
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: News
For some people skydiving or driving their car too fast makes their heart pound. But for 18-year-old Ben Taber, it is civic engagement.
A recent graduate of Coronado High School in Colorado Springs, Taber is Colorado's youngest delegate to the Democratic National Convention and will help officially nominate Barack Obama for the presidency in August.
"I love politics and policy," Taber said. "I get a big adrenaline rush out of it."
Taber was interested in the Democratic Party long before he could register. He developed liberal leanings on his own as he became more knowledgeable about politics.
Although he is looking forward to the Democratic National Convention, Taber cannot fully grasp the experience he is about to have.
"I do not believe the full impact of this event will hit me until I am at Mile High with 70,000 others watching Barack Obama deliver his acceptance speech," Taber said. "I can tell you though, that I feel both immensely honored and excited about being able to be a part of history."
Taber's favorite part about this election year is not only having the chance to actually participate but also the growing involvement of other youth around the country.
"This election will decide the future of our great land for decades to come," Taber said. "I am thrilled to see my peers of the next generation take action and influence our own future."
Matt Chandler, the Colorado press secretary for Obama for America, is not surprised delegates like Taber will be present at the DNC in Denver. Chandler said Obama has done an excellent job of exciting Americans of all ages about the 2008 election.
He said the backing and turnout of young people has been strong so far in the campaign and will continue through November.
"During caucus, we had tremendous support on the university campuses," Chandler said. "Young people are starting to see how politics affect their lives."
Not only the Democratic Party is witnessing the evolution of young people from teenagers to civil activists.
Dick Wadhams, Colorado's party chairman for the Republican Party, said young voters are watching closely because they realize they are directly affected by the people who run for public office.
"Elections also define the future of a political party," said Wadhams. "The people who get involved today are going to be very involved for decades to come."
A recent graduate of Coronado High School in Colorado Springs, Taber is Colorado's youngest delegate to the Democratic National Convention and will help officially nominate Barack Obama for the presidency in August.
"I love politics and policy," Taber said. "I get a big adrenaline rush out of it."
Taber was interested in the Democratic Party long before he could register. He developed liberal leanings on his own as he became more knowledgeable about politics.
Although he is looking forward to the Democratic National Convention, Taber cannot fully grasp the experience he is about to have.
"I do not believe the full impact of this event will hit me until I am at Mile High with 70,000 others watching Barack Obama deliver his acceptance speech," Taber said. "I can tell you though, that I feel both immensely honored and excited about being able to be a part of history."
Taber's favorite part about this election year is not only having the chance to actually participate but also the growing involvement of other youth around the country.
"This election will decide the future of our great land for decades to come," Taber said. "I am thrilled to see my peers of the next generation take action and influence our own future."
Matt Chandler, the Colorado press secretary for Obama for America, is not surprised delegates like Taber will be present at the DNC in Denver. Chandler said Obama has done an excellent job of exciting Americans of all ages about the 2008 election.
He said the backing and turnout of young people has been strong so far in the campaign and will continue through November.
"During caucus, we had tremendous support on the university campuses," Chandler said. "Young people are starting to see how politics affect their lives."
Not only the Democratic Party is witnessing the evolution of young people from teenagers to civil activists.
Dick Wadhams, Colorado's party chairman for the Republican Party, said young voters are watching closely because they realize they are directly affected by the people who run for public office.
"Elections also define the future of a political party," said Wadhams. "The people who get involved today are going to be very involved for decades to come."
Be the first to comment on this story