Why Kerry's "Compact With the Next Generation" is a Bit Short

A few weeks ago I paid a visit to the John Kerry HQ down in Washington, DC while I was in the city for a press conference at the Capitol. The building was nice, the office was buzzing, and everything seemed to be going pretty well. I did notice one thing, however, that kinda put me off...

There didn't seem to be any dedicated youth outreach person. At least nothing like Dean had with GenDean. We had a few highly dedicated individuals that worked around the clock specifically on youth outreach and organization. And I don't mean just Students, I mean youth: sometimes people forget that there is a distinct difference.

So now it's a month later, and look what's up: The "Change Starts with 'U' Campus Tour!" which on the surface seems really great. Here's what the campaign says about it on the Frontpage:

Combining high-profile entertainment with voter registration and political organizing efforts, the Change Starts with U: Kerry Campus Tour 2004 marks the formal kick-off of Kerry's outreach to college students. On the tour, the senator will highlight the new direction he offers America's youth and outline his "Compact with the Next Generation," Kerry's vision for the country and challenge to the next generation of Americans to invest themselves in their communities.

"This week, I'll be unveiling a Compact with the Next Generation - your generation - that says we're going to bring back the basic bargain at the heart of America: if you're willing to do right by America, then America is willing to do right by you," Kerry said.

Several notable celebrities, entertainers and high-profile Democrats will join Kerry on the tour including rocker Jon Bon Jovi, popular rock band Guster, Blink 182's Tom DeLonge, Senator Hillary Clinton and others.

Sounds pretty good, but is it?..

The idea of a College Campus Tour is certainly not a new one. Howard Dean and GenDean put together one, the Raise the Roots Tour, and it was enormously successful. I think that the "Change Starts with U" - which is well named - is a good start, but my gut tells me that it's not going to be a start. I fear that this may be it.

When I was with Generation Dean, I would see numerous news articles relating to GenDean Groups, Youth Activists, Young Voters, and how people my age were really getting out there and working to make a difference. I still see them, but not nearly as many. It is rare that I hear about a strong Students for Kerry group doing something in the news. Not that Students for Kerry groups accross the country are not mobilizing and doing their part... they must be, or else Kerry would not have done so well in the Primaries amongst the youth. I do, however, worry that the Campaign may not be taking our Generation as seriously as, in my opinion, it should and that consequently we may lose the Youth Vote to Bush in November.

A few things about the tour that I noticed:

• Bon Jovi is in it. I don't know a single person who listens to Bon Jovi. My father is a Bon Jovi fan, but he isn't a college student. What does Bon Jovi bring to the table that is going to help rally the Youth Vote. I am glad to see that Tom DeLonge from Blink 182 will be out there... at least he plays music that is targeted at younger people (I was once a HUGE Blink 182 fan, long ago).


• He is only going to four schools, all in the Northeast. Ya know, there are a lot of young people all over the country... and the Northeast (with the obvious exception of New Hampshire, which he did kick off his tour in) usually goes Blue anyway. It's nice that he is going, but truthfully, I might have started my tour at the University of Florida in Gainesville, or at Arizona State University where the largest Generation Dean group was. Those are both much larger states with a lot more electors and very large and active schools.


• The focus of the Students for Kerry page seems to be on Registering Voters. First of all, the page looks great. Much thanks to the Kerry Web Team for making that site. But my worry is not on appearance, it is on goals. Registering Voters doesn't win their vote -- it's a failed strategy. There are much more basic and effective resources that could be placed on that page that could, in my opinion, make a large impact such as Buddy Icons, e-mail petitions, and house parties (or dorm parties, if applicable). These are ways that the campaign can get young people to start getting involved quick and easy by simply adding on to a part of their life that already exists (like their use of a John Kerry Buddy Icon on AOL Instant Messanger, which serves as a sort of free advertisement to all a user's friends).

I am not saying the tour is a bad thing, rather that it is a step in the right direction. I hope that this is a sign that the campaign is really stepping up the plate in the realm of youth outreach, because as we saw in the primaries, a Presidential Candidate can reach out and build a relationship with young people, it just take a little bit of effort and a willingness to communicate with them rather than expecting them to come to you.

You can view the Students for Kerry page Here and the Press Release about today's Tour Stop Here.