An unconventional score for a young political junkie

Malcom Fox is going to miss the first day of his senior year at Ethical Culture Fieldston School next week.

But he has a good excuse.

The 17-year-old will attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., along with dozens of other young political junkies, to experience one of the country’s biggest political bashes firsthand.

“I’m really excited for the atmosphere in general. I’ve never been to anything like this,” he said.

For a week, the convention will be Malcom’s classroom. He will have the chance to talk to politicians, journalists, lobbyists, activists and pollsters. To document his experience and weigh in on the convention, he will post on a blog he recently created (www.malcom-dnc2012.tumblr.com). 

His blog posts will also be available on WNYC’s website.

“I think it’s going to be fun,” he said.

The young Riverdalian is a self-described political junky and liberal. During the Republican National Convention last week, he wrote about the speeches and responded to questions and comments from readers.

“I haven’t felt a lot of clarity from either party. Both Obama and Romney talk a lot about creating jobs and yet they seem to be having bigger battles about social issues like abortion and contraception,” he wrote on Aug. 29.

He’s not fond of vice presidential candidate Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, as his post, “Paul Ryan is making me crazy,” from last week proves.

At only 17, Mr. Fox speaks like a seasoned political operative. He said he enjoys politics because it “shows the necessity of being able to resolve conflict for the good of the country.” 

To quench his thirst, he watches political shows on television, listens to NPR and reads news online. He’s also very honest.

“Being the typical liberal that I am, I watch MSNBC,” he said.

He’s traveling to North Carolina with Junior State of America, a national organization created in 1934 by high school students. The goal of the organization — which operates on smaller chapter levels across the nation — is to foster political discussion and debate among high school students. During presidential election years, students can apply to attend the Republican and Democratic conventions, where they will interact with other students and brush shoulders with some of the country’s biggest political personalities. 

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a delegate who will be attending the convention as well, met with Mr. Fox last week.

“He’s very young, I think it’s great. … It should be a very wonderful experience for him,” Mr. Dinowitz said.

To follow Malcom’s experience at the DNC, go to www.malcom-dnc2012.tumblr.com.

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