Lorenzo Rivera may be only 11 years old, but he knows more about politics than many adults.
(Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
• Video: Lorenzo Rivera in 'By the People'
• Vote: Norton, Sams discuss documentary
The Chicago fifth-grader proves just how much in the new documentary "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama," where he is filmed making campaign calls on Obama's behalf in 2008.
In the movie, debuting at 8 p.m. Tuesday on HBO, filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams capture Lorenzo, only 9 at the time, handling a call to a confused voter with a calm and grace belying his young age.
He already had sailed through several calls at the campaign's downtown headquarters when he connected with his most challenging encounter of the day.
"I was calling people in Colorado and explaining to them who Obama was and why he was running for president," Lorenzo recalled. "But this man thought I was trying to sell him a llama. And then he thought I was talking about his wife Diana. It was funny at first, but then it got really frustrating. He just wouldn't listen to me."
Lorenzo keeps his cool and ends the call with, "Hope you have a good day."
Sams remembers looking around the phone bank, seeing adults and one youngster sitting among them. It was one of those perfect shots a filmmaker hopes for.
"Lorenzo just handled it so well," Sams said. "He's very knowledgeable about politics. And he wasn't dragged there by his parents. He wanted to be there."
Lorenzo's father, Jose Rivera, has worked in Chicago government for many years and is currently employed in Sen. Roland Burris' office. For years, he's taken his son to political events and community meetings. Lorenzo lives in Old Irving Park and also has been involved in the re-reelection campaign of Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th).
"Lorenzo's pretty much grown up in that environment," his father said. "What I love about him is that he understands the value of giving back and being involved in your community. I'm really proud of him."
Lorenzo admits activism has been pretty much a solo venture for him, as all of his friends are more interested in sports. He says he reads a lot online and has done school projects on Obama.
During the campaign, he also canvassed door to door with his parents in Ohio and Indiana. He remembers feeling scared on election night as he watched the numbers come in.
"I spent so much effort on this campaign and if it crashed, I didn't know what I would do," he said. "But it turned into a very exciting night."
And what does he think of the president's job so far?
"I think a lot of people are putting way too much pressure on him," Lorenzo said, sounding like a true politician. "The economy was about to crash and he stopped it from a total meltdown. But that doesn't mean he can totally fix it in such a short time."
Lorenzo plans on keeping his young foot in politics. He comes across as understated, but his passion for politics is clear.
"I like being able to help people," he offered without hesitation when asked about his future. "I like the idea of a democracy and also the idea of different people being able to work together even though they have different opinions."