It didn't seem to bother Doom, who is a favorite of his students and the local Democrats despite his political affiliation.
Just attending wasn't enough to fulfill the requirements of the assignment, Doom said. The students had to write about the four propositions, explain the stance of the speakers on the propositions, then take their own stance.
The students seemed more than up to the task.
"When we talk about the president we have a lot of conflicting views, especially on foreign affairs," said Chantal Terziyan, a 17-year-old senior who talks to her father about politics. "I think [Bush] should focus on domestic affairs. That's the only way we can unite the country."
Chantal, who wants to attend Scripps College or UC Berkeley and become an actress, knows most teens don't engage in political discussions, but she feels passionate about the issues.
"Most youth aren't exposed to such things," she said.
Classmate Jimmy Kim, a 17-year-old senior, is a Democrat but feels like young people are left out of the process.
"The youth of my generation feel neglected by politicians. They all give us empty promises," said Kim, who wants to study public relations at UC Irvine or George Washington University. "We are disenfranchised. Me and my friends complain, but instead of complaining we need to learn about it and do something about it.
"People say there is nothing more I can do being a Democrat in a Democratic state but I think we can make a difference."
Jimmy gets his interest from his father who "screams and complains about George W. Bush. That's how I got involved," Jimmy said.
He also had one sage piece of advice: Get involved or don't complain.
Frommer comments on the Arnold factor
During his short address at the Sixth Annual Women In Business Awards Ceremony, Assemblyman Dario Frommer had a comment about how Sacramento has changed since Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor.
