Last week I spoke to a Georgetown University class on the use of social media, video and blogs in the election. Alan Rosenblatt of Center for American Progress, also the Professor, invited me. I opened up with some stories about my experience blogging and reporting for MTV, and then listened as Netroots Rising authors, Lowell Feld and Nate Wilcox took it away. I love speaking at classes because I know I am bound to learn something. That night was no exception.

This morning I spoke for the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). The organization works in tandem with the House Democracy Assistance Commission and is internationally recognized for introducing rising political and policy leaders to each other. I spoke alongside Arielle Fleisher of Campus Progress and Adrian Talbott of Generation Engage.

ACYPL had brought young political leaders from Jordan, Israel and Hungary for their Election Study Program. From the Hungarian Socialist Party to Israel’s Women’s Rights Movement, these intellectuals would be in the U.S. for a few weeks — starting in Washington and then moving to battleground states to observe U.S. democracy in action.

I wondered last week what I could discuss about the Youth Engagement in this election that would be original and of interest.  Then it dawned on me when I saw this video.

The impact of citizen journalism in this election.

I gave an overview of how user generated content on YouTube, THINK and Facebook have revolutionized the way my generation interacts socially and politically. But then I got a question.

“Will young people be to blame if Obama loses?”

The question was fair, and my answer simple.

Definitely not. With an age-old electoral college, state resources stretched to accomodate the record number of voters – we have bigger problems than pointing fingers at first-time voters. Yes? No?

Other feature stories were:

• Charlie, Wisconsin “Behind Bars in the Twin Cities”
  Dani, Alaska “Weighin in on Palin”
  Charles, Utah “John Legend Opens Up About Opening DNC”
  Michael, Nevada “The Celebrity Vote”
  Nadir, Michigan “How Rage Raged Against the Machine”

I am in some ways, more grown up after spending five days immersed as Press at the Republican National Convention. I watched celebrities, politicians, protesters, and people — like my right-wing roommates, Melissa and Gabby, come hundreds of miles away to take part in politics. I was impressed by the power of a political party — but not deterred from what I was there to do: test out cutting edge technology and cover this controversial Convention in the most unconventional way.

Here are a few of my favorite clips from the week. In no particular order, I give you, dispatches from the ground.

Arrested at the RNC

“Obama is Communist..” and Un-American

“In the Tent With Shepard Smith”

Bob Dole Campaigning for the Republicans

On the Floor – Live Broadcasting!

 “No Compromise” on Life – My Roommate for the Week

Ron Paul Supporters Protest

It was September 2008 | Bob Dole was in the Excel Center, on his way to visit the North Carolina delegation on behalf of his wife, Senator Elizabeth Dole. I caught him right before he walked into the floor pit.  I was alone, a credentialed journalist, with three cameras, an ID, and a pen in my pocket. I was on a mission to find some kind of story, and when I bumped into the Kansas Senator and Presidential candidate, I did. | More after the jump

Here are the basic nuts and bolts of the Live Streaming video process: After I hit “Broadcast”, the clip live went auNokia N95 to Flixwagon, a video sharing network that made it instantly available to anyone.

Instant connectvity. 60 seconds after I ended the clip, my phone buzzed twice. First a huge congrats from my Executive Producer who had watched it live, and my Dad, who called and admitted to having tears in his eyes. “You just interviewed my hero,” he said.

More Videos from the Republican National Convention 2008.

Check this out. I was home on Thursday night with a couchful of friends and we just so happened to stop on Comedy Central. I swear, it was total fate — and would have been complete disaster to have missed this airing of Colbert. Just four days before the Pennsylvania Primary, and on Prime time television for Gen Y, Colbert got the line up other shows might be half as ambitious to even shoot for.

First, Clinton appears in lieu of Colbert’s technical problems. The ever-eager Senator would make a great addition to anyone’s team with this priceless enthusiasm.

Next, Edwards shows up to remind viewers everyoneis still after his vote. He hits on the point that media continues to pigeon demographics as having control of the final tally. This second, they’re saying it might be the “white male vote,” to which Colbert responds, “finally, white men will be heard!”

And finally, Obama shows up on the projector from somewhere in heartland America. He appears more rested than the lame primary the night before where both candidates made me yawn for different reasons. Colbert offers a strong opener about how happy HIllary must be pleased that she”fixed our projector screen.” (To which Obama plastered a whopping grin all over it.)