A DELEGATE’S JOURNAL

Editor’s note — Elizabeth Poda, a first-time Democratic National Convention delegate from South Carolina, is sharing her daily convention journal.

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BOSTON — Elizabeth Edwards visited our delegation breakfast this morning.

She said that having a Carolinian on the national ticket would bring extra exposure to both South and North Carolina and that we would not be forgotten in the election.

The chatter among delegates and guests is the excitement of hearing from John Kerry. While many people have labeled political conventions pomp and circumstance, we are still here to learn about our future leaders and hear their messages. The balloons and the signs make it look spectacular on television, but the real treat is hearing about the future of America.

As this week starts to come to a finish, I have begun to think about what happens next. Our delegation is excited about the Kerry-Edwards ticket and is looking forward to bringing their message to South Carolina. So many times I have heard speakers talk about the importance of the economy and jobs in this election, and I believe that issue is especially important to South Carolina.

I know so many people who were much better off four years ago and are looking for a better future. I have friends with thousands of dollars of student loans, a job that they are not happy in or living at their parent’s home to save money.

Making college affordable, providing quality jobs and improving access to medical care are important to young and old.

Statistics show that older people vote. Young people need to accept our civic responsibility and become engaged in the process of choosing our leaders. Only then will our concerns be heard and reflected in public policy.

Elizabeth Poda, 24, is third vice chairwoman of the S.C. Democratic Party. The Rock Hill native and Arcadia Lakes resident begins her career as a teacher of S.C. and U.S. history next month in Lexington County.