KID REPORT
September 1, 2004
Covering the Republican Youth Convention
Kid Reporter Danny reports from the floor at a special session for young Republicans
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More than 1,000 young Republicans gathered on the floor of Madison Square Garden at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday. They were attending a special youth convention aimed at getting young people fired up about re-electing President George W. Bush for a second term.
Barbara and Jenna Bush, President Bush's twin 22-year-old daughters, were among the many speakers at the Youth Convention and were followed by a number of different Republican leaders such as Andrew H. Card, President Bush’s chief of staff, Ari Flesicher, President Bush’s former press secretary, and Ed Gillespie, the chairman of the Republican National Committee. A few speakers talked about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s speech and how he made them proud to be Republicans.
 |  Danny interviews the second youngest delegate from Georgia. |
Talking About 'Generation Example'
Another speaker was Priscilla Smith. Priscilla, 20, of Arkansas talked about how she doesn’t like it when the media calls people her age members of “Generation X.” She said President Bush “inspired me to be ‘Generation Example’.” She said young people should work to set an example by volunteering after school, helping to feed the hungry and getting involved in community service.
I asked a few people attending the convention (many were age 18 and older) about what they think are important issues for kids. Many of them said national security.
Protests Interrupt Youth Convention
During Andy Card’s speech, a small group of protestors from an AIDS activist group called ACT UP broke out with a banner and began shouting. The audience responded by loudly chanting “four more years,” trying to drown out the protestors.
|  Josh Kempf of San Antonio, Texas talks about why he is supporting President Bush. |
Throughout the speeches the audience was very enthusiastic. They waved signs and banners, cheered, and shouted. Jeff Kanger, 18, of Omaha, Nebraska, wore a patriotic Uncle Sam hat with elephants popping out of it. Another man I interviewed, Josh Kempf of San Antonio, Texas, wore an elephant hat and a shirt that said “George W. Bush is my homeboy.” Asked why, he answered: “Because I’m from Texas.”
