SAY WHAT? I CAN'T GO IN BUT THEY CAN?

What makes you so special?

Why did you get into the Xcel Center, site of the Republican National Convention, and Y-Press did not?

Victoria, a 15-year-old Minnesota native, was allowed inside because she won an essay contest about the significance of the American flag. She led the RNC in the Pledge of Allegiance and earned a coveted speaking spot on the second day of the convention.

Ashley, a 20-year-old philanthropist, was admitted to discuss her charitable work. Her group, Students Aiding Indigent Families, buys abandoned homes, renovates them, and gives them to the homeless.

And Mike, an Iowan, attended as a delegate -- at 17, one of the youngest Republican delegates ever.

Yes, Victoria, Ashley and Mike more than earned their places at the RNC. But hey, the Y-Press reporting teams are no slouches, either. For the last year, we did extensive research on politicians and players, held briefings with political insiders, conducted interviews, and wrote about all things political.

Despite all of Y-Press' efforts, the RNC still determined that we were a "liability" because some of us were under age 18. Never mind that Y-Press has attended political conventions since before Victoria, Ashley, and Mike were born.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Democrats gave Y-Press five media credentials, allowing us to provide in-depth coverage from Day One. By the end of the week, the DNC team had acquired even more credentials, making it possible for everyone to hear Barack Obama's acceptance speech.

Ironically, the DNC's podium was never occupied by a minor, if you don't count Shawn Johnson leading the Pledge of Allegiance. It seems that the Democrats, who welcomed Y-Press with open arms, saw no need to allow youth to take part in the political process. As Michael Connery of FutureMajority.com says, youth at the DNC were "seen everywhere" but "heard nowhere." Obama built his campaign largely with the help of unprecedented youth involvement. You would think that one of his more ardent youth supporters would have secured a speaking spot at the DNC.

We are disappointed, though maybe not surprised, to see that hypocrisy continues to run rampant through campaign politics. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats, while touting their dedication to youth, deemed it necessary to fully incorporate youth into their most celebratory events.

With the advent of the Internet and young people's heightened level of political involvement, why do politicians continue to shove youth to the side? It's about time that politicians appreciate the youth who distribute their fliers and man their phone banks. After all, we are future voters, and we have long memories.

Copyright 2008 Y-Press