For South Jersey Teen, Attending GOP Convention Is Dream Come True
By John McDevitt
TAMPA, Fla. (CBS) -- He's not even old enough to vote, but a young man from Margate, NJ with a passion for politics is among those who attended the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
"This is really a unique experience -- I learned a lot," says 13-year-old Clarke Patrone. He talked his parents into missing the first week of school so he could attend the GOP convention.
Patrone has been meeting politicians and collecting autographs on a pocket-sized booklet of the US Constitution.
"I had the opportunity to meet (Saratoga Springs, Utah, mayor) Mia Love, I asked her to sign my copy of the Constitution. We saw (NJ governor) Chris Christie on the way back to our hotel room -- he signed my copy of the Constitution as well. It was a great experience."
This eighth grader says he is excited about the Republican ticket -- and he knows the issues.
"President Obama can't run on his record. He can't win election with $16 trillion in debt, unemployment above eight percent. I have to say, Romney-Ryan is going to win in a landslide."
As for Clarke's future political ambitions, he says at this time he is more concerned about running on the track team than running for office.
