My 15-year old daughter is a genetic Democrat, but hasn't really been politically engaged until now. This year, she's watched the debates with me, stayed up to see some of Obama's victory (and occasional concession) speeches, and asked me to bring her to volunteer for Obama before Super Tuesday.
She woke up a couple of Sundays ago to the sound of my cursing at Ralph Nader as he announced his "candidacy" on Meet the Press. After a few minutes, I turned to her and noticed that she was snarling at the TV almost as much as I was. "This is so stupid... Someone needs to tell him not to do this!" My reply: "So why don't you?" A few days later, she handed me this:
Dear Mr. Nader,
My name is... and I am a 15-year-old high school student. This election, I have taken an interest in following the politics and policies. Not only is this election exciting and new for me, but it is giving me hope that the country can one day become what it is supposed to be: a morally respectable country.
Throughout my whole life, I have watched this country through some of the worst times. I observed as President Bush carelessly invaded a country, I saw our earth continue to fall apart because of growing carbon emissions, and I am now conscious of the countless other injustices that the Bush Administration has committed.
I feel that in your candidacy will drastically interfere with the Democratic Party’s chances of winning. To me, the logical thing to do is to endorse the democratic candidate, maybe even campaign for him/her. Instead, your candidacy will take much-needed votes away from the democratic candidate, therefore making it an easier path to the White House for Senator McCain.
Now that I am old enough to see these things, I am ready for change. I am ready for a president who can take this country and turn it around 180 degrees, because the track we are on at the moment is headed towards failure. This country needs someone who can win this upcoming election, possibly defeating John McCain, who is a fierce and steady opponent.
I respect your reasons for running, but I hope that you realize how much your candidacy will affect not only me, but also the whole country. I might just be a high school student from Brooklyn, but this election will affect me and my peers, and what we need right now is a president who will turn this country around. With your candidacy, there is a big possibility that that will not be able to happen.
My biggest hope is that you actually take this letter to heart and realize that in order for this country to get better, we have to beat Senator McCain. Please don’t discard this letter, thinking to yourself, "This is just a high school student, just one voice, it won’t make much of an impact," because it will. It will make a gigantic difference to my peers, my family, my school, my city, and my country.
Thank you so much for reading this letter, because I really truly hope that it will make a difference. I know that I can make a difference, and with your candidacy, the country might not have the chance to change.
Sincerely,
I... D...
I'll post again if she gets a reply.