More Students Involved in This Year's Races

[mia]

By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 31, 2004; Page A22

ST. PAUL, Minn. Oct. 29 --
...Surveys and news reports around the country show a strong and potentially decisive increase in political interest and activism among college students. A new Harvard University study suggests an attitudinal shift, with 91 percent of students saying they care a good deal about who occupies the Oval Office and 87 percent saying politics is relevant, up 20 percent from 2000....

Huge registration drives by such well-funded organizations as Rock the Vote and America Coming Together have targeted students. But the students' voting intentions -- and even their intention to vote -- are difficult to measure, partly because they often have only cell phones, which are out of reach of polling organizations....

Kerry outpolled Bush 52 percent to 39 percent in the survey, which covered 1,200 respondents. But in battleground states, Sharp said, Kerry's margin grew wider, with 55 percent saying they preferred him and 38 percent choosing the Republican incumbent....

Students are bombarded with messages from every quarter in Minnesota that matters. A state that has backed the Democrat in the last seven presidential contests is rated a tossup. That means a focus on turnout, which means those student recruits will be firing e-mails and knocking on thousands of dormitory doors in the next 72 hours....

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If the 2004 presidential election were being held today...

(likely voters)Responses by Age Group 18-30

Kerry and Edwards 54% Bush and Cheney43%

Cell Phones to Democracy's Rescue!

[saigon68]

1. They had better-- It will be Very Drafty soon.

Especially with the never ending religious war.

[cubsfan forever]

2. Yeah, they can feel the draft n/t

Professor 2

[saigon68]

4. You bet

Tere is no way the military can continue a 50% re-enlistment rate.

Not with all the Blackwater Mercenary companies paying $200,000.00 a year plus its TAX FREE

[mia]

3. Kerry has a 51-41 percent edge among newly registered voters too

...could be a wid card on Tuesday depending on how many actually turn out to vote.

[MotownLew]

5. Black Hoodies

Our local K-mart offers three varieties; $12.99 - $19.99. I hear there's a run on them in many locations :)

That's the best fashion news since Spandex biking pants went out of style.

[cliss]

6. studies have shown

that new voters tend to vote Democratic by a huge margin. Also late registrations seem to be Democratic. Also the undecideds seem to favor the challenger.

It all adds up to one thing: Kerry.

[Catshrink]

7. My HS students are all excited about this election!

A lot of them prefer * -- probably echoing their parents. But a lot prefer the good guys.

Our Young Dems club is working at the polls on Tuesday. I'm so proud of our kids for wanting to participate!

[mia]

8. That's great news, Catshrink.

Glad that you HS teachers are out there inspiring our kids!

Your Photo of Bush reminds me of Bagdad Bob.

[Catshrink]

9. Gregorian did the Photoshop!

I stole it.... It really is good, isn't it?

I'm glad the kids are excited about this. I hope they don't find it boring and that there is a lot for them to do. This is the only presidential election of their high school years, the first election most of them were really aware of and cared about. We'll have fun!