re: How old were you when you first really got interested in politics and public policy?

I was just out of college before I gave any serious attention to the 'politics' side of politics. Was just interested in the civics portion prior to that.

First deep involvement/attention was 1960 debates with JFK/RMN - I thought Nixon won, but our TV was so grainy that I dint even notice the 'makeup' chasm between him and JFK.

Of course I had been quite satisfied with Eisenhower as our POTUS and since I was a complete novice in the mechanizations going on behind the scenes, I was in hero-worship mode more than pure analytical mode.

As I devoted more time to the News, I formed the opinion that Republicans always made a lot more sense than the Democrats. Although at that time I felt that both parties were honest and patriotic in their basic values. That thought didn't really change until I began to digest the disaster for our nation that evolved as a result of LBJ. The corruption of the Clinton administration sealed the deal for me - forever after I have been more anti-democrat than I have been pro-republican.