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Stick around here and you will find many other ways to get into this thing we call politics.

You could start covering some local races. If there's a good conservative candidate, talk him up.

Disclaimer: I used to work for Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc.

www.theamericanmind.com

participate, read and learn. As good as RedState is, read other conservative sites as well. Oh, and COS is one of my favorite places on earth.

Tim Schieferecke

I will be back tomorrow for more.

"Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper" Peter Griffin...Family Guy

conform and celebrate diversity....or else!!!

As for other good sites on the Conservative end of the political spectrum with good news and commentary:

National Review Online -- http://nationalreview.com
The website associated with National Review magazine founded by William F. Buckley. Founded in 1955, National Review attracted the clearer thinkers in the modern Conservative movement; Ronald Reagan was a subscriber. Before Ronald Reagan's presidency, there was Barry Goldwater's candidacy, and before Barry Goldwater's candidacy, there was William F. Buckley's National Review.

The Weekly Standard -- http://weeklystandard.com
The website associated with The Weekly Standard magazine founded by Fred Barnes and William Kristol.

Commentary Magazine -- http://www.commentarymagazine.com
The website associated with Commentary Magazine. From their website, "Commentary is America’s premier monthly magazine of opinion and a pivotal voice in American intellectual life. Since its inception in 1945, and increasingly after it emerged as the flagship of neoconservatism in the 1970’s..."

There are many other good sites, but these three are a good place to start by bookmarking in your web browser favorites list.

"You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war."

head over to http://www.gop.org and look for your local (or nearest local) Republican Party branch. COntact them and offer to volunteer. They're going to be needing bodies for phone calls, signing, and a lot more in the coming months.

Fred Thompson, 2008

In regards to how you can help, start small. Everyone gets too focused on the Presidency and forgets we have local races, state races, Congressional races, etc. They may not have the national impact of a Presidential race, but they are important.

So look around your area and see who is running in November. Guys running for State seats are always looking for volunteers in their campaign. It might mean making some phone calls or passing out fliers. Getting some like-minded friends together and getting the word out about certain issues.

Remember that the young State representative in your district may end up going to the U.S. Congress someday, maybe becoming a leader in his National party, maybe President. Most of the candidates we see started small and worked their way up. You may have the next Ronald Reagan running in your district who needs help getting his word out. Heck, if there is a local race in your area that doesn't have much competition, throw your hat in the ring (city council, etc).

I'd also add that while it's great to want to read a lot of stuff and become better informed, don't let that override your own opinions. You are not an "uninformed noob" as you stated. You've experienced more in your short life than many could ever imagine. Your opinion will be unique and come from a different perspective than many. Don't be afraid to throw it around and mix it up with everyone.

(1) Get a subscription to National Review (it's pretty cheap). National Review, unlike any other magazine will not only keep you up to date on the conservative movement and conservative thought, but the book reviews are an absolute necessity since there are many good, and many more not so good books which might interest conservatives published each year.

(2) meet people in the local Republican party. There is always some sort of get together going on. They will keep you informed of important local issues and races. Also, networking is always good for your personal and sometimes financial life.

(3) You will no doubt spend much more time now on your family, and job. But as time goes on you will have more and more time to spend on politics.

(4) DO NOT dismiss the idea of running for some local office yourself one day.

We need attractive younger candidates like you. I have lots of good ideas and spare time, but I am a funny looking old man who could never be elected dog catcher. Your background though, makes you a possible candidate. But get involved on the local level first.

"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle

Punch a Hippie

I'm going to suggest something slightly different from the other commenters. I think reading blogs and getting involved in politics is fun and exciting, but I think it's more important for a self-described "political youth" to put together a reading list of a good cross-section of conservatism. Blame my mom the librarian, but books are the place to anchor your political activities and blogging in first principles. I'm sure Fred would agree.

"The Conservative Mind" is obviously a classic way to start, but it can be a bit dense and imposing. It took me three tries before I actually started and then finished it, but it is as the title suggests a comprehensive collection of traditional conservative thought.

A more digestible book is "The Law." It's a short (maybe 40 pages) essay written by Frederic Bastiat back in the 1840s. It's essentially the libertarian side of the spectrum summed up in an engaging and elegant series of syllogisms.

The Federalist is also a must read that is far too often over looked.

Ultimately I think you should do your best to get some diversity in the writings. If you're not sure exactly where you fall on the conservative spectrum, grappling with the arguments of the giants in the conservative tradition will probably serve you better than skimming through The Corner. Pick up some Hayek, Friedman, or even Rand for the radical individual in you. And then explore your Burkean prejudices with Nisbet, Kirk, and, well, Burke.

This obviously is a bit aspirational. Demands of work and family don't leave a whole lot of time for carrying around stacks of books. But I think it's a useful task to at least attempt.

"The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions."

These are all legitimate thinkers and sources of news and editorials that can be considered within the general "big tent" of conservatism:

1. Any of Russell Kirk's books, especially The Conservative Mind
2. Chronicles Magazine (available online)
3. The American Conservative magazine (available online)
4. Any of the literally dozens of works by G. K. Chesterton
5. Any of the literally dozens of works by C. S. Lewis

Those familiar with the above will, no-doubt see a recurring theme. I would suggest at least skimming some of the above to determine your general attitude toward social conservatism. Although you cite the influence of your parents who were libertarian conservatives, do you feel that you lean more to the fiscal conservative side or are you more balanced, that is mainstream conservative?

Although probably not critical for this year's election cycle, the 2010 and 2012 elections will almost certainly see a much more "interesting" discussion in the GOP between:

a. the social cons and their usual allies, the paleocons;

b. the ficons and their usual allies, the libertarians;

c. the defense or national security cons and their usual allies, the neocons.

Best to know which faction you belong to before the shooting starts.