The next generation is up for grabs politically. Although the youth vote swung heavily to Barack Obama in the past two elections, there are clear signs of hope in the next generation from a conservative perspective.

Despite energized millennial support for the socialism of Bernie Sanders during the presidential primaries, their flirtation is fleeting. Their idealistic support evaporates quickly in the face of real life. As one millennial analyst put it, “Millennials like socialism until they get jobs.” Another survey of millennial political attitudes found that when asked, 50% self-identify as conservatives.

Not definitive, but definitely encouraging signs. And I see more every day as I talk to Arizona Christian University students.

Yesterday in Next Gen Political Angst , I shared what some in the next generation dislike about politics. But they see much good in American politics today. They truly appreciate their political freedom. They like vigorous political debate. Maybe it could be more civil, but they like the American tradition of political sparring over ideas. They enjoy political conversation and the many opportunities to engage in politics. They want a voice in the ongoing discussion of the meaning of freedom and how to preserve it. On a very fundamental way, they are thankful for elections and the right to vote.

What else do they like about American politics today? Unlike many college students calling for revolutionary institutional change (think: Bernie Sanders’ calls for revolution), there is a deep appreciation among these ACU students for the American system of government — the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. OK, they are mostly political science students, but they specifically listed among their “likes”: separation of powers, checks and balances, Constitutional restraints on government power, protections for liberty, and federalism. One even mentioned the patriotism displayed in American politics.

Anecdotal evidence, but those in my generation should be encouraged.

This fall I’m going to be blogging about what college students—mostly political science majors—at Arizona Christian University are saying and thinking about American politics. Most of them are voting for president for the first time, our nation’s most important political rite of passage. I’m long past my first vote, cast in 1980 for Ronald Reagan. Thirty-six years and eight grown children later, I’m a political science professor and long-time spectator (and sometimes participant) of the political process. I’m fascinated with how the next generation views politics—especially in the era of Trump and Clinton.

For the first-class icebreaker in Campaigns & Elections class, I asked each student to write down three things they like about American politics today and three things they dislike. I knew they’d have no problem with the second half of that request. Even I struggle to express something positive about the current state of American politics. I admit this is anecdotal and not a scientific poll by any stretch. But, when they talk, it’s worth listening.

Here’s what they dislike:

Unsurprisingly, when they evaluate the political culture, political divisiveness, polarization and rancor are turn-offs. Same with corruption.

Although they are America’s first digital generation, they are clearly wrestling with the effects of new media and technology on politics, describing it as a kind of double-edged sword. They definitely like instant, easy access to political information. More access to information keeps them better informed. As they see it, more information makes it more likely to hold elected officials accountable–at least in theory. And new media gives their generation more ways to engage politically.

But they see a downside to social media. They are wary of instant political news, individual campaign use of social media and campaign rapid response teams, sensing those often skew the political process and distort what is really going on. How can they screen out the “spin”? Another downside? Just as they are protective of their own privacy, some students are uncomfortable with how much personal information about candidates—and their families—is made public. They’re unconvinced voters have the right or the need to know personal details about private lives. And, I was surprised at how concerned they were about media bias and undue media influence in the political process. I thought consternation at media bias belonged to my generation.

They are remarkably savvy politically. They don’t like winner-take-all primaries and are convinced that had GOP primaries been proportional, they’d likely have a different candidate on the ticket. The math backs up that contention.

They are frustrated with how conservatism is defining itself, more in expedient political terms than with consistent conservative ideas and values. Finally, increasingly a pro-life generation, they are not so keen on a political culture that still supports abortion. Finally, perhaps my students are more conservative than the rest of their generation, but they strongly dislike the increasing size and scope of government.

Glad I let them get that off their chests. Tomorrow, what they like about American politics might surprise you.

This morning I begin teaching a class in Campaigns and Elections at Arizona Christian University. As I’ve prepared for the semester, I’ve been struggling with the question: What do I tell the next generation voting for the first time?

When I was their age, I was thrilled to cast my first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan. His election in 1980 represented the triumph of conservative ideas in American politics—and my generation fueled much of the Reagan Revolution to follow.

Even though Reagan left office in 1988—almost 30 years ago—many still claim the mantle of “Reagan conservatism.” Many of the ideas of the Reagan Revolution are still in currency. His election represented a fundamental conservative realignment of American politics that stretched well beyond his presidency. A Gallup poll earlier this year showed that 37% of Americans defined themselves as conservatives, compared to only 24% as liberal. This ideological edge for conservatism has held steady for almost a quarter of a century, when 40% of Americans identified as conservative, while only 17% identified as liberals in 1992 when Gallup first measured political ideological self-identification.

I was excited to vote for the first time. But college students approaching their first vote are not exactly “thrilled.” Quite the opposite. Young voters (18-35) express frustration and cynicism about the current presidential race. They are “disgusted” with their choice in November and are increasingly likely to sit out the November election.

Last spring as the primary season unfolded, I interacted with my students about the state of American politics. College students are looking for serious political leadership, for statesmanship, for honesty, trustworthiness and integrity. Aren’t we all? As students of political science, they are politically aware, engaged, and deeply concerned about the nation they will inherit and someday eventually lead.

For the next 83 days until the November election, I will challenge them to think of American politics from the perspective of both their short-term reality and long-term opportunities for change:

• Navigating the short-term reality: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump each are deeply flawed candidates. We can wish all we like that the choices were different, but they aren’t. As we talk through strategies for voting this election, I hope to remind students that unlike popular culture, politics is less about celebrity and people than about ideas. Which ideas—embodied in the party platforms—are most consistent with their values, especially from a biblical worldview perspective? And, don’t get lost in national politics. Remember that the level of government closest to the people—school boards, city government and other state and local officials—may not be as famous as the presidential candidates, but they have tremendous influence on our everyday lives. Finally, when you get discouraged, remember that ours is an incredibly resilient political system. Our political institutions and system of government will endure long beyond 2016.

• Playing the long game. I’m also going to encourage my students to identify and engage in long-term opportunities to transform American political culture with God’s truth. As people of faith, we are called to pray for those in government and in authority (I Tim. 2:1-4). But that’s just the start. In a free society we have both the opportunity and the obligation to engage in politics at all levels—from the grassroots up. I contend that one of the reasons the state of American politics is so dismal is because Christians have opted out of the political system. Remove salt and light from politics, and all that remains is incivility, corruption, dishonesty and grasping for raw power. Instead, people of faith, especially the next generation, need to re-engage in American politics. Learn the process, understand the institutions, and find a place to engage and make a difference. If you don’t like current state of American politics, work to change it. We are the People.

Bernie Sanders repeatedly shares this very fundamental political wisdom with his supporters. He reminded a gathering before the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, “Real politics is not necessarily sexy.” Instead, real politics takes hard work by dedicated people engaging at every level. Sanders plans to support at least 100 candidates running for a wide range of public offices — from local school boards to Congress — at least through the 2016 elections.

When the next generation complains about what seems a fairly bleak political future, I suggest they get engaged rather than abandon the field, especially to Sanders’ acolytes and socialism. Good advice for my generation, too.

Yesterday the Democratic delegates in Philadelphia completed the first item of business of any political convention, approving the 2016 Democratic Party Platform.

Political party platforms are important—think of the platform as an organization’s mission-vision statement, a document that that clearly and strategically defines the organization’s fundamental values and guiding principles. And just as a mission-vision statement guides an organization and its employees’ actions, the platform defines for its members the party’s purpose, principles, and plan of action. When we cast a vote, we not only support a candidate, more importantly, we endorse a set of ideas.

Two weeks ago in Cleveland I attended the Republican Party Platform Committee meetings. That experience – watching serious conservative grassroots activists invest considerable time and intellectual energy debating and honing the guiding ideas of the 2016 Republican Party Platform – confirmed for me that in world of politics, candidates come and go, but it is the ideas that matter most.

When it comes to the ideas they embrace, the Republican and Democratic parties couldn’t be more different. In fact, the 2016 Democratic Party platform is more extreme and has shifted more radically to the left than ever before. Here are just two examples:

ABORTION: While the Republican Party Platform affirms the right to life from conception to natural death, the Democratic platform is seen to be its most extreme pro-abortion document ever. The Democratic Party has long supported legalized abortion on demand for any reason up until birth. This year’s platform goes even further, affirming opposition to any limits on abortion, calling for taxpayer funding for free abortions and repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits direct taxpayer funding of most abortions and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1980. The Democratic Platform also states unequivocal support for continued taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, even in light of the body-parts scandal, and more recently, furor that the efforts to address the threat of the Zika virus were stopped because of the politics of Planned Parenthood. It is far from mere symbolism that Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards was prominently seated next to former President Bill Clinton during the first night of the convention.

ECONOMY: While the Republican Party recognizes the power and importance of a free market economy, calling for lower taxes and encouraging entrepreneurial innovation, the influence of Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, is clear in the 2016 Democratic Platform. When it comes to the economy, the Democratic Platform focuses more on income inequality rather than economic growth, insisting on higher taxes, income redistribution, and an ever-increasing role of government in the American economy, rather than expanding opportunity, reducing red tape, and supporting economic innovation. For the first time, the Platform includes calls for a carbon tax, which many say would cripple any chance of economic growth and would likely devastate the economy.

These are just two examples of how the animating ideas of the Democratic and Republican parties are fundamentally at odds with each other. They take polar-opposite positions on a host of other issues, from national security and defense, immigration, the family, religious liberty, globalism vs. national interest, and many more.

But don’t take my word for it.

I challenge anyone – especially those disenchanted with the candidates at the top of the presidential tickets — to read each party’s platform in full before making up their mind on how to vote in November. Because, ultimately, it’s the ideas that matter most.

I am still processing the long-term fallout from Ted Cruz’s historic non-endorsement from last night. Internally, my responses oscillate between this was Cruz’s very public act of political suicide and it was an incredibly brilliant political set-up for 2020.

I will post a longer analysis once the 2016 Convention dust settles, but here are a couple of preliminary thoughts:

As I watched from a luxury private suite of Trump-supporters (shout out to an old college friend gave me a sweet suite pass), I was stunned that the endorsement wasn’t there. The perfect moment was there, at the end of the speech, and the audible never came. How this will affect Cruz moving forward is something we political scientists will be talking about for a very long time.

Cruz went quickly from hero to goat. As Blaze political editor (and my daughter) Leigh Munsil tweeted as the speech unfolded, “You could hear a pin drop in this arena right now.” Expectations in the convention hall soared and so did Cruz’s speech, as he powerfully insisted that “Freedom matters.” We all know how the evening ended for Cruz—with boos, being locked out of GOP money-man Sheldon Adelson’s luxury suite, Heidi Cruz leaving under armed escort, and devastating political analysis and vicious verbal attacks, continuing this morning in the Texas delegation and beyond.

On the upside: It very well may serve to shore-up young conservatives, who are particularly disenchanted with Donald Trump and his brand of politics. In this view, someone — finally — stood up to the Trump train.

On the downside: From my perspective, the most unfortunate aspect of the non-endorsement flap is losing sight of Cruz’s theme of freedom. I was excited and heartened as the speech theme of freedom unfolded. Finally. That is the message so glaringly missing this political cycle.

More on Cruz at a later time, but here are a few other thoughts from last night: I was sitting just a few feet away from where Donald Trump entered the convention floor as Cruz’s speech ended. As word of his entrance spread where I was sitting, the buzz was palpable. The media gaggle he attracts is mind-boggling. He is the epitome of celebrity—bigger than life, magnetic, a presence impossible to deny. As for his VP candidate, Mike Pence’s speech was absolutely terrific, especially the reminder that Hillary Clinton is the “Secretary of the Status Quo.” Great speech and solid delivery. In fact, the speech is being hailed as one of the best convention speeches ever by a VP candidate.

As for the final night of the convention, Day 4:

Ed Sullivan’s iconic introduction to his 1960s show captures it — “Tonight, we have a re-e-ally BIG SHEW!”

As a thorough-going political geek and convention newbie, I wouldn’t miss this for anything. I’m looking forward to this uniquely American show — the speeches, the videos, the patriotism and every last glorious bit of the hype.

But, most of all, I can’t wait to see the balloons.

Be sure to watch. And, I’ll be tweeting live @TracyMunsil throughout the evening.

Even though the GOP Convention theme for Day 2 was “Make American Work Again,” yesterday’s messaging was long on “prosecuting” Hillary Clinton and – to my mind — way too short on sharing the Republican Party’s longstanding commitment to economic liberty and free-market principles — the very principles that will make American work again.

Considering the theme, the night begged for more focus on economic liberty as embraced in the GOP 2016 Platform (available here).

The GOP Platform preamble asserts unwavering support for economic liberty and offers strong language for the Trump Campaign and other Republican candidates. Here’s an example:

“We believe political freedom and economic freedom are indivisible. When political freedom and economic freedom are separated – both are in peril; when united, they are invincible.” And in the document’s opening section, “Restoring the American Dream,” boldly states: “We are the Party of a growing economy that gives everyone a chance in life, an opportunity to learn, work, and realize the prosperity freedom makes possible.”

The 2016 Platform repeatedly and unreservedly reaffirms the party’s historically strong commitment to economic liberty: fair and simple taxes that lead to economic growth and good private-sector jobs; a competitive America built on private investment, not government spending or wasteful stimulus packages that pick winners and losers in our economy; and policies to free financial markets, encourage small businesses, and unleash American innovation and entrepreneurialism.

While drawing the contrast with Clinton is important for the Trump team, polls by Gallup and Pew show that voters in this election cycle are equally concerned with state of the economy as they are with the threat of terrorism, even in the wake of the horrific Islamic terror attack in Nice and rising violence on American streets. In the days until the election, focusing on economic issues, especially economic liberty and the free market, is an important argument for the GOP.

The closest we heard on these themes last night came from Speaker Paul Ryan, undoubtedly one of today’s most articulate intellectual leaders of conservatism in American politics. Here are a few highlights from Ryan’s speech to the Convention:

“We believe in making government, as Ronald Reagan said, not the distributor of gifts and privilege, but once again the protector of our liberties. Let the other party go on making its case for more government control over every aspect of our lives – more taxes to pay … more debt to carry … more rules to follow … more judges who just make it up as they go along.”

“We believe in a free society where aspiration and effort can make the difference in every life … where your starting point is not your destiny … and where your first chance is not your only chance. We offer a better way for America, with ideas that actually work. A reformed tax code that rewards free enterprise, instead of just enterprising lobbyists.”

“And we offer a better way of dealing with persistent poverty in this country: A way that shows poor Americans the world beyond liberal warehousing and checkwriting … into the life everyone can find, with opportunity and independence … the happiness of using your gifts, and the dignity of having a job.”

Great stuff. If you have undecided friends, point them to Speaker Ryan’s intelligent and persuasive case for voting Republican in November.

So, what can we expect from Day 3 of the Convention?

In the festivities before the evening session, the Arizona delegation will have breakfast with favorite son Congressman Trent Franks. And primary supporters of Ted Cruz are invited to a thank-you lunch with the candidate, who is part of tonight’s powerful speaker lineup.

Tonight’s theme is “Make American First Again.” Highlights of the evening will include: the prime-time acceptance speech by VP nominee Gov. Mike Pence; speeches by GOP heavyweights Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Newt Gingrich, and Gov. Scott Walker; remarks by another of Donald Trump ‘s sons, Eric; and a wide variety of others speakers — strong women entrepreneurs and political leaders, successful male businessmen, and prominent religious leaders. Expect a solid speaker lineup, reflecting a cross-section of American leaders who are making America first again.

And what a great opportunity for each of us to not only watch, but to participate in the political process. According to a recent Pew poll, the influence of social media in American politics is second only to cable news outlets. So, take this opportunity to be an influencer for the values you believe in.

As you watch, take a few minutes and share the best of the convention lineup with your social media network. I’ll be live tweeting at @TracyMunsil

As the Melania speech fallout continues to dominate today’s media coverage, a number of highlights from last night are being lost in that unfortunate diversion.

The lineup of GOP Convention speakers last night featured remarkable individual American citizens, telling emotional, oftentimes gut-wrenching personal stories of being hurt by President Obama’s policies or Hillary Clinton’s time at the State Department. Each of these stories is powerful and true:

Marcus Luttrell, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and famous “lone survivor,” told of the fierce 2005 battle in Afghanista. Pat Smith, the mother of Benghazi victim, Sean Smith, blamed Hillary Clinton for her son’s death during the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012. U.S. Marines Mark Geist and John Tiegan pointed to the failure of Clinton and Obama to act in Benghazi. And Kent Terry and Kelly Terry-Willis, siblings of Brian Terry, U.S. Border Patrol agent whose death at the border they attribute to Obama’s weakness on the border and failed Operation Fast and Furious.

We also heard equally powerful personal stories highlighting Obama’s failed immigration policies: Mary Ann Mendoza, whose son, Mesa police sergeant Brandon, was killed by a drunk driver who was illegally in the United States. Sabine Durden, whose son Dominic died in a 2012 motorcycle accident with an unlicensed, uninsured, and unregistered driver who was here illegally. And Jamiel Shaw, whose son, Jamiel Andre’ Shaw, II (Jas), in 2008 was murdered by a gang member, also an illegal immigrant.

Other highlights from the first night (with the theme “Make America Safe Again”) included Rudy Giuliani, an experienced convention speaker who hit all the right notes supporting safety and law enforcement. My favorite line is his support for law enforcement: ” When they come to save your life, they don’t ask if you are black or white. They just come to save you.”

Disappointments? I thought Sen. Tom Cotton would connect better with the conservative audience, a missed opportunity for him on the national stage. And, most of the delegates missed Sen. Joni Ernst’s speech, again disappointing not in terms of the content of her speech, which was terrific in its support for the military, but in convention organizers’ bad time management, getting her on stage as the delegates were all but gone from the floor.

As to Melania Trump’s performance, frankly I found her warm, intelligent and likable, and her speech (despite the furor) was great. I appreciate it even more after reading today’s New York Times article profiling Mrs. Trump from her childhood in Slovenia to supermodel to wife of Donald Trump.

Tonight’s theme is “Make America Work Again.”

The first order of delegate business is to officially nominate Donald J. Trump from the floor. No matter what you think of the selection, tonight will be history-making.

I’ll be looking forward to speeches by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and two of Trump’s children, daughter Tiffany and son Donald, Jr.

On the whole, expect less personal narrative and more policy from experienced GOP elected officials making the case for free-market values and less government regulation to put 94 million unemployed Americans back to work.
Only unfettered economic growth and diminished government interference can do that.

We’re about to kick off Day 2. Be sure to follow me as I tweet live @TracyMunsil. And I’ll be posting more in-depth analysis here over the next few days, as the crazy convention schedule permits.

The GOP Convention kicks off this afternoon and the preliminary festivities are already underway. Credentials have been distributed, and AZ delegates are equipped with snazzy delegation polos, clear carry-all bags for security, and obligatory Trump gear. Last night, Cleveland treated the delegates to fireworks along the Lake Erie shore.

Here are a few interesting facts about the earliest conventions:

The first presidential nominating conventions began with the campaign of 1832, when three political parties—the Anti-Mason Party, the National Republican Party (not the current GOP), and the Democratic Party (the early version of today’s Democratic Party)—all descended on Baltimore in the five months between September 1831 and May 1832.

Our current two-party system didn’t dominate American politics until after the Civil War. Prior to that, a plethora of parties and factions with colorful names emerged, dotted the political landscape for a brief time, only to fade into political oblivion. Some of these—the Locofocos, Bucktails, Wide-Awakes, Hard Shells, Soft Shells, Carpetbaggers, Doughfaces, Swallow-Tails, Butternuts, Fire-Eaters, copperheads, Barnburners, Hunkers, Short-Hairs, Woolly Heads, Stalwarts, Mugwumps, Know-Nothings, Silver-Grays, and Scalawags, according to the excellent two-part history of American conventions by Stan M. Haynes, The First American Political Conventions.

Modern conventions are elaborately staged shows of unity for the voters. But earlier conventions were fraught with division. Democrats in 1924 cast 103 ballots before nominating John W. Davis (who?) In 1860 it took 59 ballots and two conventions to nominate Abraham Lincoln’s debate foe Stephen Douglas. And Abraham Lincoln was nominated at a contested convention the same year.

The first Republican Party Convention was held in Philadelphia in June of 1856, nominating war hero John C. Fremont and Sen. William Dayton of New Jersey to the party’s ticket. At this convention, the Republican National Committee (RNC) was born.

There’s much more history, and surely more to be made today.

And so we begin today … the official nominating convention of the Republican Party of 2016–the Party of Abraham Lincoln, heir to the 1856 anti-slavery Republican Party, pro-liberty, pro-peace-through strength, pro-free markets and economic liberty. Let’s convene.

This is my first visit to Cleveland and I’m loving my return to the Midwest. I was raised in Wisconsin — I spent my teen years living on Catfish Lake in the little vacation town of Eagle River, about six hours due north of Chicago.

Even though I’ve been in Arizona since my college days, Phoenix summers have never much agreed with me. Once the temperatures soar toward 100, I miss the lake, the green, and the cool breeze as the sun begins to set late in the evening.

We have a free day, today – no politics. Instead, we’re grabbing a picnic lunch and taking a road trip along the shores of Lake Erie. Destination? Marblehead Lighthouse , the longest operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes and a shining beacon since 1822.

Hoping to take in some cool breezes, lake mist, and Midwest summer green.

I’ve been struggling with how to reconcile my Christian faith with my options when it comes to voting in the 2016 presidential election. Neither candidate is a paragon of moral virtue. Neither represents a biblical worldview understanding of politics. I wouldn’t want either to lead my local church.

Yet, I believe that voting is a fundamental obligation of Christ-followers in our free society. We’re choosing a Commander in Chief, not a Pastor-in-Chief. And a non-vote is still a vote. Christians staying home significantly effects our political system — in 2012 significantly for the worse.

Serious people of faith can — and vehemently do — differ on how to cast their votes this coming November. I’m still processing and praying, but here’s an interesting new poll that shows how Evangelical voters are looking at voting in the 2016 presidential election.

The decision to stay home on election day throws a potential third evil into the mix.