"The Introduction of Sandler’s book follows a young woman who became a believer at a mega rock concert for evangelicals called Acquire the Fire. At this stadium filled rock concert she describes a world where children are made to feel like they are evil doers and need only accept Christ to be forgiven for their transgressions – all of which include things like ignoring their parents, drinking, smoking, having sex, or whatever normal kids do now a days.

Once this young girl is reduced to a pile of guilt and sin she bursts into tears prepared to repent. She rushes the concert stage where a young goth kid – about her age- prays with her. And then recruits her to join in their movement by deferring college for a year to attend the one year HolyRoller Bootcamp run by evangelical activist Ron Luce who essentially teaches kids how to become the next generation of worriers in Christ...

It makes me wonder if our model of Rock the Vote even Oregon Bus issue centric and election only organizing is a little flawed. Why don’t we indoctrinate our children? Why don’t we have liberal camps for our high school students to teach them how to organize within their high schools and colleges? Why don’t we have rock concerts with JayZ and the Dixie Chicks and preach a message of no war, helping the poor, dedicating your life in public service, etc … and arm our side from a very early age?"

On Sunday Zack Exley did a piece on OpenLeft that talks about the ways in which Hillary Clinton's campaign is working to train the next generation of field leaders. While Exley only focuses on the Clinton campaign I'll tell you the same is true for the other two candidates who are also training the next generation of leaders.

"But the big field story of 2008 is not about the horse race. In the 2008 and 2004 presidential primary cycles, the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire--joined by Nevada and South Carolina this year--have functioned as training grounds for a new generation of field organizers and incubators of new field techniques and technologies. The dramatic surge in early resources available to campaigns has put large staffs on the ground up to one year before voting day. These organizing hothouses--especially on the Democratic side--are producing a new generation of activists who are as disciplined and skilled as they are passionate.

It remains to be seen, however if this new generation of talented and battle-tested organizers and field leaders will be given the reigns during the General Election."

If non-right leaders can capitalize on this new super connected ultra engaged generation of young people, develop leadership, effectively train operatives, and further retain these leaders I think we'll begin to see a stronger movement.

Further, with the development of a movement that embraces the diverse cultures within the generation I think we'll see more involvement.

A great example of this would be the Live8 concerts designed to combat global poverty or Al Gore's take off Live Earth which brings the world together to combat global warming, and even PunkVoter which works within the punk music movement to get out the vote.

(CrossPosted to MAIN*Blog)