Youth Give Bush Poor Grade, Hurting Republican Hopes, Poll Says

[sabra]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aaVlSyTtsmic&refer=us

Youth Give Bush Poor Grade, Hurting Republican Hopes, Poll Says

Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush's hopes of attracting a new generation of voters to the Republican Party may be fading, as younger Americans are far more critical of his job performance than the broader population.

A Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll of Americans age 18 to 24 found Bush's approval rating was 20 percent, with 53 percent disapproving and 28 percent with no opinion. That compares to a 40 percent approval rating among Americans of all ages in a separate Bloomberg/Times poll.

Much like Franklin Roosevelt attracted a new generation of voters with the New Deal, Bush and his administration have had high hopes of drawing younger voters to his party. He has sought to do that through policy initiatives aimed at creating an ``ownership society,'' and public relations tactics like a Youth Convention at the party's 2004 national convention, in which his twin daughters took the stage.

Among the initiatives aimed at drawing a new generation into the Republican fold are health-care savings accounts, elimination of the so-called marriage penalty in the U.S. tax code, and Bush's proposal to create private investment accounts from a portion of Social Security payroll taxes. `Younger Americans really want to see some leadership,'' Bush said last year as he launched his Social Security plan.

[Lindacooks]

1. Yes, chimpy, this is why they won't vote for you:

"Younger Americans really want to see some leadership," Bush said last year.

This is wonderful news.

But the 28% no opinion is puzzling.

[eviltwin2525]

2. Yeah, W, "Younger Americans really want to see some leadership,"

And you ain't it.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. I've had high hopes for these Gen Yers -- this is very heartening. nt

[onehandle]

4. "Americans age 18 to 24" generally don't vote.

Let's hope they remember this schmuck when they do vote.

[kfuss]

5. Amen, who cares...

about 4% of the vote? Maybe they should stand up and vote less for American's next non-Idol and more for the issues. Democrats should not count on them.

[w4rma]

12. These folks are the future of the Democratic Party.

They won't vote at high rates now, but they will in the future.

Not only that, but they'll run for office and hold offices at all levels of government in the future.

[LostinVA]

14. I care about 4% of the vote, and I also care for the future

of our country.

[sandnsea]

16. Republican disillusionment is GOOD

No more Reagan babies, thank god. These kids will NEVER forget what a complete clusterfuck this Republican Presidency & Congress has been, how GREAT Clinton & the Dems were, and they'll vote accordingly for decades to come.

[fishwax]

18. amen to that!

[Quantess]

6. Stupid title.

I just love how them media tries to make us feel sorry for the poor widdle wepubwicans and their feelings. :cry:

Young people are HURTING their HOPES! Those meanies! The American people are so mean to B*sh and the repukes!:cry: Waaaaah!

[KurtNYC]

22. Yes, they invert everything -- "B*sh hurting youth and their future"

"and polls show they know it."

[NEOBuckeye]

7. Well, DUH! Most young people aren't stupid.

They're smarter than Dubya. They can see that his quarter-assed policies do not benefit them, and that he is not helping to create the kinds of jobs or the economy that they are looking for.

[kineneb]

8. I work with teens

and they see through the BS that the Little Emperor &Co. put out. I am not sure why, but perhaps because they are not yet completely indoctrinated.

Another reason the Rs will loose the youth vote: 19-20% of American children live in poverty. Those approaching voting age are aware of economic issues.

[grahamhgreen]

9. Dems must capitalize on this... or die.

[SensibleAmerican]

10. I'd be wary of coming to that conclusion

Two points:

1. Youth along with the elderly traditionally vote Democratic, albeit only slightly more. http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/FactSheets/FS-PresElection04.pdf

2. Nixon performed horribly with the Baby Boomers. However, these same Baby Boomers voted for Reagan 8 years later.

[depakid]

11. Seeing as how Republicans basically declared a war on youth

over 25 years ago- it shouldn't be surprising that more and more young people are wising up.

Name the issu and it's their futures- more than almost anyone's- that have have been trashed.

[LiberalEsto]

13. Not to worry

The rethugs will just start a few more wars and draft everyone age 18 to 24 who isn't w-e-a-l-t-h-y. That will take care of those pesky poll numbers.

[JerseygirlCT]

15. Ah, Teach Your Children indeed... nt

[NoodleBoy]

17. and we've been hearing for the past 20 years that younger people are

"more conservative," which I was always pretty sure was bullshit.

And, to anyone who has, don't knock the youth vote, we move alot more, we work weirder hours, and alot of times, we have alot more on our plate than older people, so don't blame us for not voting. Also, if you'll notice, in alot of places, much of a campaign's staff is made up of younger people, and the Young Democrats of America is actually becoming a force to be reckoned with, rather than just the social club it used to be.

Hell, we get alot more things done and set more things in motion at most of the YD meetings than quite a few legislative district meetings I've attended.

[tabasco]

19. Sounds good.

Now we need to teach them about DINOs.

[Triana]

20. Republicans have destroyed their future...

...I can't fathom why any youth with a functioning brain would vote Republican if they want a decent life, future, and a decent planet to live on.

[NVMojo]

21. At least our children are smarter then the 50% of adults who believe

Bush's lies about WMD being in Iraq. I still can't get over that.