The Clifton boys get a political education

NASHVILLE -- On most Saturday mornings at the gym at Montgomery Bell Academy, an august all-male high school in Nashville, the biggest action comes from the fourth-grade boys' basketball league. This week, however, the hoopsters had competition from a 71-year old man putting on his own skills display under the same roof.

After his team's bruising -- but, by all accounts well-played -- 29-25 loss to the Sharks, ten-year old Twisters forward Charlie Clifton followed his parents across the hall to drop in on a John McCain rally.

"We were worried that we wouldn't be able to catch a glimpse because we'd be at the game," said his father Peter, who has been working to get his three sons interested in politics -- even pushing the oldest, 12-year old John, to watch the State of the Union address last week. Now Peter wanted them to see a presidential candidate in action, but it was quickly clear some intense lobbying would be necessary.

"I'll buy you some candy," the boys' mother, Kristy, said to eight-year old Nicky.

"I'll throw the football with you when we get outside," Peter told Charlie.

Both voting-age Cliftons are Republicans and are planning to vote for McCain in Tuesday's primary here -- but Peter is also sending curious glances in the direction of Barack Obama. "He's such a smart man, interesting, with a different point of view," Peter said. "I'm trying to understand more what he truly stands for, but I'm intrigued."

Impressively, no refreshments were necessary to get the three boys to find bleacher seats, where they sat attentively as local political figures plodded through a round of opening remarks.

"So far, so good," Peter said approvingly, as he looked over at his family's youth caucus. "It's hard for adults to understand this. I can't imagine what it's like for a kid."