College Electors

by Nick Norlen

Discussion

When Inquirer columnist Jane Eisner's book, Taking Back the Vote: Getting American Youth Involved In Our Democracy, came out just two months before the election, you might have thought she was just another pundit cashing in on the mass appetite for political fare. But Eisner didn't just publish and run — she's still on the front lines, discussing her book this Sunday at the Gershman Y.

"I could talk about this subject [of youth involvement] for hours," she says. So, four months after an election that saw 4.6 million more young voters than in 2000, what is left to talk about? Eisner answers with a question: "How do you keep this going?"

Eisner thinks the first step is recognizing the 51% of registered young'uns who did cast ballots. "Young people deserve more credit for what they accomplished. The fact that Kerry didn't win made it look less successful. If we had inaugurated someone different in January, people would be saying young voters were the ones who were responsible for this." That's because 55% of them voted for John Kerry. This, Eisner says, presents "a challenge to Democrats to keep them, and a challenge to Republicans to steal them."

But the kids need more incentive. "Not every election is as exciting and sexy and close as this one," she says. Who knows, next time the ballot might have two candidates with all the personal charm of Al Gore. Which means there's work to be done.

Jane Eisner appears as part of the Joseph P. Sobo Brunch Series, Sun., Feb. 20, 11 a.m., $20 includes continental breakfast, The Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-446-3021 (reservations required).