Few people show the slightest interest in politics until they are older, usually when they have their own families. The issues of education, economics and heath care are more important to a parent than to a teen.

Also, the lack of students' knowledge at the author's school is common. It is difficult to know who the vice president is when you barely even hear his name. (It's Dick Cheney, by the way.)

The only way a teenager can be slightly interested in the electoral process is if the race is entertaining. Why do you think the race for "governator" of California got so much attention nationwide? Face it, no teen will read an article about the election of a senator. That is why political cartoons are used to educate the public.