Is it ageist of me to decide that I won’t be voting for the 22-year-old college student who is currently running for mayor of Mayberry? I just think I might want a little more experience in a politician. Then again, experience is generally what turns promising candidates into corrupt jerks. I know we all think we know it all as fresh-faced college grads (and that other cities have elected youngsters to the mayor’s office). Still, I think that cultivating relationships and commanding respect are critical for this kind of job, and wonder if someone of this vintage could actually do that.
Great! I am officially both old and prejudiced.
(And I know! Bless my little heart for even planning to vote in a mayoral election for a town of this size.)
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
You should run.
(I always vote – library board, school budget, town council – one must.)
There’s a certain amount of perspective and knowledge of how the system works that a candidate ought to have. I’m skeptical that even an exceptional 22 yo has what it takes. But it’s worth investigating!
Like Magpie, I think local elections are very important. Unfortunately I’ve only recently realized that.
I always vote (local, provincial, federal), but I think local has the biggest impact. At 22 I admire his spunk, but good grief, with 40 on my horizon, I can’t imagine a 22 year old being able to cope. All idealism. No practicality.
It makes you wonder about the credentials of a fourteen-year old elected planetary queen (yeah, yeah, we’re playing Star Wars again, what else is new.)
I love a girl who gets her vote on! No matter who ends up mayor, the more important part is that a) you’ve given this some thought and b) you’ll actually vote. 22, huh? Wow.
So, this 22-year-old mayoral candidate…does he know the deal doesn’t include a mansion?
In slightly more seriousness, I’ve worked in a statehouse and around a student government, and so far the latter has often outdone the former in terms of political rhetoric and the work/lunch ratio.