Reaching the Next Generation

The anonymous creator of the latest You Tube ad on Hillary Clinton is creating quite a ruckus in the political world. Not only is the message making a “bang”, but the idea and creativity is causing quite a stir. The San Fransisco Chronicle reports,

The ad is proof that “anybody can do powerful emotional ads … and the campaigns are no longer in control,” Rosenberg said. “It will no longer be a top-down candidate message; that’s a 20th century broadcast model.”

It also dramatizes that today, political activists with the Internet as their ammunition have gone from being “just donors to the cause,” he said, “to being partners in the fight. And they don’t have to wait for permission.”

This new media definitely appeals to younger voters like myself. We’re so addicted to You Tube it’s not even funny.

Edit: The maker of the video fesses up. Michelle Malkin has the scoop.

Related Tags: First time voter, Hillary Clinton, You Tube, campaign, Michelle Malkin

What Will it Take?

I was 14 when President Bush ran against Senator John Kerry. I spent nearly every waking, available hour at the regional Republican headquarters here in Michigan making phone calls, painting and assembling signs, going door-to-door and attending rallies. Needless to say, I was very excited. Not only was I an enthusiastic worker, I also enjoyed meeting fellow young people who held similar values when it came to politics (something rare here in my very blue state). I also enjoyed the discussions that flowed in and out of the offices. For a 14 year old “green” political junkie, it was heaven!

Do I still feel the same way today? To be honest, I am still very interested in politics, but my enthusiasm has dropped dramatically for a variety of reasons. Naturally the midterms were a disappointment both here in Michigan and across the nation causing many of us to feel a bit down, but we must get to the root of the problem. I believe the vibrancy of the Republican party in general has died as well. The Washington Times agrees and I’m pleased to see that Bush recognizes the problem and is promising to restore party potency. We’ll see how that goes, I’m just glad to see he recognizes the problem.

As a young voter, I believe part of the problem is the fact that Republicans have lost credibility.

In order to rebuild vibrancy in the party, I believe Bush needs to encourage those running to stay the course and to live up to the standards they campaigned upon. In other words, pursue credibility. The majority of the American people like honest candidates who will represent the people, not themselves and their own personal agenda. I believe that’s part of why Republicans did so poorly in ‘06. Not only were there a few scandals mixed in, but many of the candidates generally campaigned on more on platforms to “get voters” than on what they really believed in.

This time, we can’t afford to despair over 2006 and lose our core beliefs. As President Bush stated we must “…learn from every election and come back stronger.” It is heartening to hear President Bush call the faithful back to the fundamentals. Especially for someone like me who worked diligently to get him elected. Will it work? I believe it could work if he is also willing to also return to the fundamentals as well. That will go along way toward restoring his personal credibility and that of the Republican Party – and our nation. If Bush won’t do it and no one else steps up, the Republicans might just lose the younger more conservative generation.

Related Tags: First time voter, President Bush, Republicans, campaign, election