Portrait of some GOP delagates to the convention in San Diego
Karen Boothe, 7/-/96

MUCH has been written about so-called "voter disenchantment." Voter participation is lowest among the poor, and some minorities. But Nowhere is the cynicism as widespread as it is among 18-to-29 year olds...the demographic group often called, "Generation X."

Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe looks at the voting habits of this group, and THEN introduces us to two young Republicans who reject the excuses for not voting often given by their peers:

In the 1980 and 84 elections, Ronald Reagan captured a good share of the young vote, then Bill Clinton successfully wooed them in 1992 with policy wonk sessions on college campuses and rock music on his campaign bus. Young voters rewarded his with a record turn-out. Even so, voters under the age of 30 STILL only made up about 20-percent of total participants.

In an effort to REVERSE the trend, various campaigns to register young new voters have been launched. Motor Voter registration has resulted in millions of new eligible voters, and there's even a registration drive taking place on the INTERNET. [sfx of mtv's ad] Then there's MTV's "Choose or loose campaign" featuring a red, white and blue graffiti covered bus that's traveling the country to register new voters:

Bite: continuation of the MTV sfx #2492 :22-secs "pass you by."

Therez Heliczer is a chief organizer of "Youth Vote 96" based in Washington D.C. She says, her organization has learned that many young people WANT to be more involved:

Bite:#2612 :12-secs "But what we've found is that they don't feel listened to, welcomes....of that politicians are addressing the issues they care about."

Heliczer says, if X-ers form ANY alliance, it's often to a third party. Still OTHERS shun politics all-together.

But Jessica Shannon and Troy Morgan are two exceptions. Both have found their ideological niche in the Republican Party. [#2607 sfx of state republican convention] They're still riding high from the excitement they felt at the State Republican Party Convention this Spring, saying not only were they welcomed as delegates, but Jessica says their YOUTHFULNESS has been embraced.

Bite: 2652 :22-secs

Troy and Jessica are serving as alternate delegates at the national convention in San Diego. Jessica is only 17 years old...and will turn 18 this fall, just in time to cast her very first ballot in the November election. Troy is 27, and says HIS political involvement began when he was in college.

While NEITHER is exactly sure of what direction their generation's future is headed, BOTH are clear about where they've come from. They're the post Watergate generation that's come of age in a time of government scandal and gridlock. They say while they're concerned about SOCIAL issues...their involvement ia driven by their concern for their fiscal future:

Bite: VOX of both 2648 :22-secs

Jessica and Troy say some of their friends think they're ODD because they're so involved in politics...and even MORE so because they're Republicans. In fact, BOTH have parents who are more liberally-minded and registered Democrats. So, is their own evolving conservative identities some type of REBELLION against their baby boomer parents?

BITE:rebellion VOX :35-secs 2655,2627,2632,2624

In fact, both have a greater fondness for Bob Dole's generation than for their parent's generation.

BITE:2641 :10-secs

Troy and Jessica know that many OTHERS their age identify with Democratic and Independent ideoligies...the young people who were more apt to have attended WOODSTOCK TWO than wax eloquently about why BOB DOLE'S generation inspires them. REGARDLESS, they advise their peers of ALL stripes to just get INVOLVED: BITE:#2600 :25-secs "just DO it."

Troy Morgan and Jessica Shannon...two young Republicans serving as Alternate delegates at the National Convention in San Diego next month. (Aug 10-15)