Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Amazed, Atlanta — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:13:55 GMT

I too, hope America's youth turn out to vote. However, if Barak is counting on this to push him over, he may be disappointed. Historically, young voters are not money in the bank. But hey, rules were made to be broken, right!

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:13:56 GMT

Obama's staff should be fired. Obama should be fired. What a waste of a campaign.

Why does Obama want to be President again?

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

..::Eddie::.. Atlanta, GA — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:16:33 GMT

Obama appeals to voters of all ages. This was evident yesterday at the hugely-successful rally in NYC. 24,000 attended, and little coverage has been offered. At least MSNBC posted a NY Times article on the event. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21022881/

Why was this event buried? Too close to the Clinton backyard?

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

squintz, philly, pa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:35:00 GMT

Dickie - and who, pray tell, is in charge of firing people from their own campaign?

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Stu, Saginaw, MI — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:49:20 GMT

Unfortunately, when it comes to politics, youth is sometimes ill-serves the country for a few reasons. 1) They are usually (with the exception of "Red Necks") the least knowledgible of both our political system and psephology; 2) They prefer "youth" to wisdom and experience; 3) They prefer "glitz" to substance; and, 4)They prefer "pretty faces" over the appearances of those who have become wizened by years and decades of being involved in the systemic political processes.

One need only to look back to the failed presidency of Jimmy Carter to find out what inexperience and ignorance of Washington politics can forebode.

While I can see myself going for Obama in the future, as President in 2009--2013, he's probably as likely to blow it as did Carter. While I like the guy, I simply cannot trust anyone still wearing political diapers to both run the country and be the "leader of the free world".

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

nuanced — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:55:15 GMT

zoom!! your point, Dickie, went way past the top of my head. Take a deep breath, think it out and try again.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Adam Columbus OH — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:01:18 GMT

Obama's campaign is looking more and more like Dean's run in 2004: Lot's of internet buzz, "change" mantra, anti-war focus, huge amounts of money raised, strong focus on the youth vote, which promptly overslept the day of the the Iowa caucuses.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

nuanced — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:01:21 GMT

Eddie, I've noticed going back to following Howard Dean's campaign that huge rallies go unreported all the time. I was in the 100,000 person anti-war/impeachment rally and march in DC a couple of weekends ago and it was way way under-reported and mis-reported. Someday someone in the media will write a tell-all as to why that is so and which flavors of rallies get the snub.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

csh, IL — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:04:19 GMT

How does Obama hope to inspire voters given his lackluster debate performances?

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Bee — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:05:39 GMT

I am not sure if Youth Vote can win this election alone; however, i do think the move is not that bad either knowing fully well that the name "Clinton" resonate well among the senior voters.

All obama need to do is to get 45% of votes from age 38-78, secure 45% of women votes and compliment it with youth votes I think this is going to be the winning formula.

I know the youth and reasonable men don't like Clinton and i am sure the youth will turn out immensely come Jannuary.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Mimi — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:05:57 GMT

I usually just read the post. But was Obama president before? (2:13am)

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Bruce, NV — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:06:32 GMT

Ah, there's that nuanced again... Most ironically named poster n the blogosphere.

Sen. Obama needs a bit more seasoning is all. He blew his big chance in the debates the other day. Meanwhile, Mr. Edwards has all but thrown in the towel. That leaves it down to two possibilities--Sens. Biden and Clinton. I'd love to see Sen. Biden win the Dem nod, but I fear it's not going to happen.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Jodie Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:09:30 GMT

All ages, creeds, men and women understand Barack Obama. He's telling the truth even when it is hard to take. He's fighting for the American people. He doesn't pander. If you don't know him watch him on Charlie Rose, research what he's accomplished, where he has been. After that come back with something intelligent to say. Please ignore the sound bites and the media spin. Make up your mind objectively.
Obama/Webb 08

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

squintz, philly, pa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:13:05 GMT

Hey Adam and Stu - not enough prune juice today? Oh yes, let's blame the youth, because you've all done such a TERRIBLY FINE JOB so far.

"youth is sometimes ill serves the country"?
I'm sure your political knowledge is just as good as your grammar!

Pathetic.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:18:20 GMT

Stu - What a horrible generalization. I don't know what your younger generation is like in Michigan, but I can assure you in Iowa the 18-29 year olds who vote do not do so because someone has a pretty face. I went to college and law school with hundreds of people my age who were very interested in politics and our system of government. They worked on campaigns, they spent semesters at the state capitol working with legislators and lobbyists, they helped draft legislation - basically, they participated in all sorts of governmental activities. Younger Iowans vote because they give a damn, not because someone looks nice in a suit or has a great smile.

Yes, I realize growing up in town with a major university gives me a different perspective - kids in my high school actually WANTED to be smart and learn about governments. AP Government was one of the hardest classes to get into. Even so, over the years I have never encountered anyone my age who was voting for a non-substantive reason. Sometimes they felt as though they were voting for the lesser of two evils (who hasn't felt that way?) but that's hardly the same thing as them not having any knowledge.

BTW, before you insult millions of people for basically being stupid, maybe you should use spell check yourself. Just a thought.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Adam Columbus OH — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:33:17 GMT

squintz

I'm barely into my 30's, so I'm not sure prune juice would be quite the thing. The 18-29 demographic votes in tiny, tiny, numbers in comparison to their proportion of the population as a whole. Has been in every election, and especially so in a primary election, and even more so this time around in IA and New Hampshire, where the caucus/primary dates are being moved back to the very beginnng of January. The 18-29 demographic will largely be coming back to college from winter break, and they will largely forget, which will give other age demographics (especially the 65+ crowd) an outsize influence on the election. It's simply a fact.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

squintz, philly, pa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:03:59 GMT

Adam - I think we may be boring the others with our back and forth, ha ha.

First, prune juice is actually pretty good. Secondly, I know the low vote stats for 18 - 29, although the percentages of that age group have gone up in the last few elections, or so I've read. What pisses me off is the consistent urge for everyone to bust on the current generation of "youth" as though we're too stupid to get out of bed in the morning or know anything about the political process.

I don't know for sure, but I find it hard to believe that any other group of 18 - 29 before us has been substantially more engaged. Except, of course, for our Baby Boomer friends, but frankly their performance since has been, shall we say, lackluster.

I agree with your facts, just not your cranky delivery!

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:11:33 GMT

Adam is right. The 20-something demographic does not vote. The ones who do tend to feel very strongly about politics or about a certain issue. But by and large, they just don't care enough.

But that could change. I think a lot of them haven't cared enough because there has been nothing to care about. We have grown up in a time of great success and peace and pretty much took all of that for granted. Things are suddenly getting a lot more complicated, and even younger generations are going to have to face up to that eventually. Maybe it will snap some sense of civic responsibility into them.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

OnceADemocrat Long Long Ago — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:12:32 GMT

Yes, get them while their young and dumb.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Adam Columbus OH — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:21:49 GMT

OnceADem,

Exactly the perspective that is going to be the downfall of the Republican party in 08: Won't engage youth voters, won't debate for black voters, only interested in Hispanic voters insofar as they are being deported, cares not a whit about working class and middle class voters: just an endless bag of irrelavent wedge issues, cheap smears, voter intimidation and assorted dirty tricks. This whole country is going to get a chance to take a (metaphorical, of course) hot shower come January 20, 2009.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

nuanced — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:30:00 GMT

Bruce, NV, thanks.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Dave, AZ — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:07:21 GMT

I have voted since I was 21 (the legal age then) and have voted in every election since then, including primaries. I turn 59 Monday and will vote in next year's election. I like Barack Obama and will vote for him. He is learned, ereduite and will do a much better job than the current dork or his traitorous father (I still don't buy his Iran-Contra "out of the loop" BS defense). I will organize and get out the vote for him with "yutes" here.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Darrius, Arkansas — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:12:58 GMT

As a rule young people don't turnout and elections are all about turnout.

With the money his campaign has he should be able to get 3,000 extra votes from college students who otherwise would not have voted even if he has to hire vans to take them to the polls. It would be expensive, however, if 3,000 votes make up 7% of the electorate it would be worth it.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Brian, Las Vegas — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:02:39 GMT

Not that the "prune juice" crowd will be interested, but the Facebook application for college students supporting candidates are pretty interesting. Obama has 150,000 + supporters. Hillary comes in second..at 45,000. I realize that not all of them will vote, but the fact that they care enough to a) download the required application to support a political candidate and b) choose a candidate indicates at least some level of political involvement that could lead to votes. Oh yeah...only one of Barack's supporters is Giuliani's daughter.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Frances, New York NY — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:16:09 GMT

The youth know the most about the political system, as they've studied its intricacies most recently. Students deserve more credit than they are typically given.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

DR — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:38:10 GMT

I Hope you all realize that the "YOUTH" are reading all these little stupid comments. Don't you?

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

PFC Leon Andreasson. Ft. Rich, AK — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 04:35:25 GMT

Once a Dem: I myself am extremely happy that you've abandoned the Democratic Party for the other side. From the sounds of your comment; you are right where you belong.

As for me, I am proud to be a Democrat, proud to serve my country, and very proud to support Obama!

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

diane — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 05:42:16 GMT

I think what many seem to overlook is that Senator Obama, as a community organizer, did alot of registration drives and getting people to the polls. I have heard his staff has the best training and the volunteers are the best trained people around. And they are registering people all over the place. They have been since the beginning.
I would not underestimate the youth or the campaign. the youth know this is a huge election and they could very well be the most important votes. they do not want to live in Bush's America.
And what Obama learned as a community organizer he has put to excellent use through out his career.
He is doing things no one does and his operation is amazing. I really think the press, all cozy in Washington and feeding off of old cw is totally missing the big, untold story going on under the radar.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

S. Strand, Redondo Beach, CA — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:55:20 GMT

The Clinton Machine does seem to have the mainstream media all sewn up, proof of which is the very scanty if nonexistent television coverage of Obama's public rally in NYC with 24,000 people. That's a MAJOR EVENT to cover! And yet, neither the images of the sea of people nor the number of people was said, except for "thousands". That is dishonest!

But cable news repeatedly broadcast a comment made by Michelle Obama, ad nauseum, which was inconsequential but they do it to denigrate Obama and his campaign. Hillary has already been coronated by them and it is really sickening.

Well, guess what? There's a sea change going on in this country that has tremendous momentum, and it is the nationwide grassroots support for Obama, which now has 350,000 ordinary American donors, with 500,000 donations! That is unprecedented in the history of presidential campaigns...and he doesn't take PAC money which Hillary does and even, strangely, brags about!

I support Obama because I like his worldview, the fact that he's lived outside the U.S., grew up in multicultural Hawaii, his wisdom and the courage to tell the American people what they need to hear vs. what they want to hear. Who else went to Detroit and spoke of the need to increase CAFE fuel standards and was met with hostility for doing so, right in the belly of the beast? Who else went to the NEA and talked of incentive pay for teachers, which, to many, is considered traitorous? He did; he does not pander.

Most important of all, Obama spoke out vigorously against the war in 2002 when it could have jeopardized his run for U.S. Senate and was called unpatriotic by many. He did it, anyway.

And when it came time for the Senate to vote on the war, Hillary DID NOT read the 90 page NIE (National Intelligence Estimate), even though she had 10 days to read it. Her voting for the war, to send other people's kids into war to be killed or maimed, without reading this critical report, was nothing less than DERELICTION OF DUTY.

That did it for me... the simple fact that she relied on advisors' briefings and not reading a report, which, had she done so, would have seen many caveats there, as did former Senator Bob Graham of Florida. He read it and did not vote for the war.

Hillary engages in non-stop triangulating and also, this question arises: If being first lady in the governor's mansion for 8 years and another 8 years in the White House qualifies for 'experience' to be president, then why not have Laura Bush run for president on the Republican side? How preposterous is that? That's how the Clinton Machine spins and manipulates perceptions and basically has a lock on the MSM. Hopefully, voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina won't buy it.

Time served in Washington does not equate with good judgment, as so many of the other Democratic contenders, long-time Washington insiders, have proven.

In Obama, we have someone who will unite our country and yes, the world. The moment he is inaugurated, the healing begins.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

Kat Barr, Rock the Vote Research Director, Washington DC — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:57:31 GMT

A clarification on how much young voter turnout increased from 2000 to 2004 - both Dean and Harvard's project are correct, actually, just cited slightly incorrectly. Turnout among 18-29 year olds' went from 15 million to 20 million from 2000 to 2004, which is a 20% increase in sheer numbers. The turnout *rate* went from 40% to 49%, which is a 9 percentage point increase. Percent vs. percentage point are commonly mixed up.

Regardless of how it's described, the fact is that young voter turnout is on an upward swing - jumping in 2004 and again in 2006. And the candidate(s) who want to win in 2008 had certainly better court the youth vote - not only can they help win close elections, given their size (approaching 44 million eligible voters in 2008), they're poised to have a major impact on the election nationwide in '08.

Obama hopes for strong youth vote

L Sylvia — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:03:23 GMT

As a member of the "youth"...The youth will vote...on that there is no doubt...this country has been politicized so much by the EXTREME Christian right (and this is speaking as a Christian here) that we will not stand for more of the same...whoever underestimates the youth vote, do so at their peril (if I say so myself)...Democrats will win (even if Obama does not win the presidency outright and is just VP) partly on the youth vote