The 12-year-old activist who captured the hearts of conservatives with an Internet video of himself questioning President Barack Obama's love of country may have learned his first lesson in politics Monday: persistence will only carry you so far in the Georgia Legislature.
A bill pushed by C.J.Pearson to lower the age of service in the General Assembly got politely panned by the Republican-led Senate Ethics Committee.
Senate Resolution 27 would ask Georgia voters to amend the state constitution to lower the age of service in the Senate from 25 to 21. A companion bill — House Resolution 37 — would allow 18-year-olds to serve in that chamber, which currently is restricted to 21 and up.
Both bills have the attention of outspoken middle schooler C.J. Pearson, who recently earned Internet fame by posting a video of himself questioning President Obama. C.J.’s budding career as a conservative media darling earned him respect.
“A very bright young man,” said Sen. Bill Jackson, R-Appling. “He’s very impressive,” added Sen. Jesse Stone, R-Waynesboro.
“One thing I can say for him is that he is persistent,” said Sen. Gloria Butler, D-Stone Mountain, who said the pre-teen “Facetimed” her and called her over the weekend advocating to lower the age for eligibility. Several committee members nodded, noting they had received numerous calls and social media messages from C.J. in recent days.
But, by and large, the senators were not convinced.
“I love young people. I’ve raised some,” Jackson said. But he said he did not believe someone so young had the life experience to serve in the Legislature. “You could be in the 12th grade and serve in the House of Representatives.”
Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah, said young men under 23 do not have the “frontal lobe development” for legislative service.
The committee did not vote on the bill, but its prospects seemed dim.
“People need to have some maturity and experience,” Stone said. “I think Mr. Pearson could be the exception that proves the rule.”
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