Lessons for Young Conservatives from N.Y. Governors Ball

Conservatives have long recognized that young people are essential to electoral success. Even if the youth vote doesn’t break Republican (far from it), there is a critical mass of teenagers and young adults across America who are looking to get involved and are of practical value to the goal of installing Republican presidents in the White House and majorities in Congress. Political campaigns, constituency offices, think tanks, media outlets, and other organizations in the conservative constellation need a steady pipeline of young people to carry out their work to persuade voters. With their enthusiasm, energy, and deference, these youths — between the ages of 15 and 25 — make for perfect staffers, interns, or volunteers at low expense.

Their work (admittedly menial, at times) greases the wheels of the well-oiled and well-funded machine needed to win. Bill Buckley was astute to recognize this when he created Young Americans for Freedom in 1960. Several more groups, ranging from Students for Liberty to Turning Point USA, have since emerged and are active today on college campuses.

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About the Author

Arjun Singh

Arjun Singh is an editorial intern at National Review.

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Conservatives have long recognized that young people are essential to electoral success. Even if the youth vote doesn’t break Republican (far from it), there is a critical mass of teenagers and young adults across America who are looking to get involved and are of practical value to the goal of installing Republican presidents in the White House and majorities in Congress. Political campaigns, constituency offices, think tanks, media outlets, and other organizations in the conservative constellation need a steady pipeline of young people to carry out their work to persuade voters. With their enthusiasm, energy, and deference, these youths — between the ages of 15 and 25 — make for perfect staffers, interns, or volunteers at low expense.

Their work (admittedly menial, at times) greases the wheels of the well-oiled and well-funded machine needed to win. Bill Buckley was astute to recognize this when he created Young Americans for Freedom in 1960. Several more groups, ranging from Students for Liberty to Turning Point USA, have since emerged and are active today on college campuses.