Following up on our Youth and Politics survey, we have a totally optional video politics Rapid Response.  The topic is public office.  The NewsHour is producing a profile about Saira Blair, an 18-year-old running for the state House of Delegates – she defeated the 66-year-old Republican incumbent in a primary when she was still 17! 

 

QUESTION:

 

Lead in: Explain that there is an 18-year-old running for the House of Delegates in West Virginia.  If she wins, she’ll become the youngest state lawmaker in the nation.

 

Questions: 

1. Why do you think anyone that young wants to tackle the responsibilities of being a lawmaker? 

 

2. Describe why or why not you could ever imagine yourself running for public office at some point in your life.

 

 

 

If you don’t get a good soundbite, try this:

 

 

Even if many young people think voting important, most are probably reluctant to actually run for public office themselves. Why do you think that is?