Can Kerry Win Over Youth?

[liberalpragmatist]

If Kerry is the nominee, can he reach young voters? I certainly hope so, but, although I'm a Kerry supporter, my biggest fear of Kerry winning the nomination is that he will not be able to hold Dean supporters or the youth vote. Those are two components that are party DESPERATELY needs to win! Even if Kerry can't do it as well as Dean, can Kerry attract youth votes?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Kids for Kerry

He's a natural. He's got the greenest record, and a history of activism for a lot of OTHER popular causes of the new generation.

[citizen snips]

8. I am a kid and I don't like Kerry.

John Edwards and Clark is more appealing than Kerry.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. And I don't like mobsters

or glorifying them in any way. I sure hope you get beyond that at some point.

[citizen snips]

13. Lets try to stay on topic.

This is a political discussion thread. Let me point out this poll.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=594265

[paulk]

18. why? nt

[Bombtrack]

2. not as well as other candidates

because of his youth service program

[sandnsea]

16. Kids already do that

Many already do community service in high school, either as part of the regular curriculum or to get into college. And 2 years of service for 4 years of college is really appealing to my 18 year old senior. More appealing than Edwards' plan because he knows it'll cover the whole degree.

[JI7]

37. those who have a problem with it

are no tlikely to vote anyways. and even if they do vote, they probably wont vote democratic. younger voters who lean democratic or liberal find these things very appealing. they understand the importance of volunteer work and service and giving back.

[DemOutWest]

3. Yes, he can

Why? A few reasons -

- His daughter Vanessa and step son Chris Heinz are out campaigning for John Kerry. Young people and college crowds respond to them well.

- John Kerry is the coolest candidate of any age. He wind surfs, kite surfs, flies gliders and rides a Harley. He also still plays a great game of hockey and can still get in Snowball fights with the press.

- He doesn't talk down to anyone. He listens to people and rsponds well to all ages.

[maddezmom]

6. good points about his kids

watched them on CSPAN....they can connect for him if need be. :)

[citizen snips]

9. I don't think so.

I do not see this race as a popularity contest. If Kerry can do all these things you say than good for him. I just don't see Kerry as a candidate of the people.

[sandnsea]

20. And flies helicopters too

Apparently. And he loves kids, he really interacts well with them and respects them. And little kids adore him.

[edzontar]

4. I don't know..he seems kind of old lately....

Like me, when I look in the mirror.

I'd say Dean has a better chance of getting a youth vote, or (and I hate to admit this), the General.

[DemOutWest]

5. That was last week

He was getting tired. He is looking refreshed and ready to bring this nomination home. He didn't look too old diving off the porch in Iowa.

The question was can he get the youth vote behind him, not who could do it better.

John Kerry can and he will.

[oasis]

12. Kerry is a perfect father figure in these times of fear and uncertainty.

Strong, confident and competant.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. Are we looking for a father figure in a President?

I believe we are. Kerry's perfect. That's a whole thread itself.

[citizen snips]

42. Yeah like Kerry is a good influence on us kids.

Remember He said the F word.

[oasis]

43. I'm sure Kerry doesn't habitually use profane language. He's confident

and reassuring. That's what America needs.

[citizen snips]

45. I agree but...

I think if he became the nominee it would be easy for people to attack him on what he said. And I have not heard Kerry apologize for saying the F word.

[oasis]

48. Bush will his hands full with Shiite Iraqis, deficits, 9/11questions,

failing schools and outer space backlash. Bush is the one who will be on the defensive.

Just how much can be milked out of Kerry using the F-word? If anything it will throw a spotlight on how Chimpy mishandled the UN/USA relationship.

[citizen snips]

49. No doubt what Kerry said was right...

but the way he said it was wrong.

[saltpoint]

7. I think the Democratic candidate --

-- in 2004 has the advantage for "the youth vote," so far as it goes. Mostly I think the election will divide among sensibilities and not chronological age. The red states are going to be pretty red and the blue states are going to be pretty blue.

Somewhere around midnight or so on election day, more blue states will color the map than red.

Go Democrats -- old, young or in the middle.

[blm]

11. They will when they learn more about him and his 30 years of battles

fighting against wars, government corruption and advocating for the environment.

[sandnsea]

14. Yes, kids like Kerry

He has all kinds of youth supporters. I have a son who is 18, his best friend who is 18, and a 26 year old, and they all think Dean is, uhm, not so good. And it's not because they listen to mom either. My 18 year old likes Edwards and my 26 year old likes Kucinich. But they both would love to have Kerry as President.

The way my 18 year old puts it, "Why do you want a President who is just like you. Shouldn't a President make you aspire to be better than what you are." They see that with John Kerry.

On edit:

Took out nasty remark about Dean and replaced with "not so good".

[zulchzulu]

15. If you're talking about marketing, maybe you've seen this photo

A young JK hanging out with John Lennon in 1971 at an anti-war protest in DC

[Feanorcurufinwe]

19. Do kids today even know who John Lennon was?

OK, I know they do, but I think that pic is more inspiring to a 43-year-old hippie like me than it is to the younger generation...

[sandnsea]

22. Oh yes they do

We boomers may have screwed up raising our kids in a lot of ways, but we sure as hell didn't fail to teach them who John Lennon is!!

[citizen snips]

23. Sorry to disappoint you.

But I don't know very much about John Lennon.

[mitchum]

27. OK, surely all young people aren't ignorant...

of John Lennon and his activism

[jadesfire]

44. definitly not

as one of those 'young people' i was raised on Lennon and the Beatles. (I'm only sleeping is my favorite song of all time!)

Not suprisingly Kerry is my first choice.

he rocks!

[zulchzulu]

33. Well get with the program, dude :->

[Astarho]

24. Yes but...

I was barely three when Lennon died and my sister and several co-workers were not yet born then. While we are aware of his musical influence, we don't feel the same about him the way a "43-year-old hippie" would.

This gets back to the problem that I see with Kerry. He comes off too much like the uncle who tries too hard to be cool. He doesn't have to prove it by showing this picture or riding into the tonight show on a Harley.

[citizen snips]

26. I agree.

Kerry can ride Harleys all he wants and I want care.

[zulchzulu]

34. He's going to be the President of US, not the local QB at the playground

I've met Kerry a dozen times. He is actually a cool, friendly, funny person. He actually does many things like wind surfing, riding motorcycles, surfing, plays hockey...

And he's good at it!

Look at the candidate not only for what he has been but what he will do.

[DemOutWest]

17. Other points

I work with many High School and college age kids. As I talk to them about John Kerry, they like what they hear. And I live in Utah! A very republican conservative state. I just need to un wash their brains of all the propaganda they have grown up with. Shhh, I might be burned at the stake for corrupting the youth of Utah. :)

I also like the story that Vanessa Kerry tells about how she tries to help her father be cool because he is clueless. This one time he was wearing hawiian shorts over his wet suit before going surfing. She told him that it was lame. He went on the beach anyway and the next thing Vanessa saw was all of the other young surfer dudes around her father telling him how cool the look was. She was wrong, he was right. Once young people listen to John Kerry and learn more about him, the more they will want him to be their President.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

21. LOL funny story n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

52. I love that story- LOVE IT!

It shows how just being confident can take you a long way! And he is a natural LEADER!

[poskonig]

25. I'm 24, and Kerry is fine with me.

The pandering by candidates, i.e., trying to look "hip," is a bit of a turnoff. People in their 20s aren't stupid. Looking "presidential" *is* anyone's best bet.

[JI7]

36. i'm 25 and i love the guy

i didn't know you were 24, thought you were much older. i have actually thought many on here were older than they are just because they are informed which is very rare when you just meet someone randomly in the same age group.

[DemOutWest]

38. That's who he is

Kerry doesn't do any of that to pander, it's who he is. He has always wind surfed and rode Harley's. The Late Show was a little off, but he rides a Harley and Leno is a big Harley fan. It was probably Jay's idea.

Senator Kerry doesn't try and be cool. He is himself, and I think the youth will embrace it.

[Merusault]

29. John Kerry and Youth

I'm in the student Democrats at Loyola Univeristy in New Orleans and we've been supporting Kerry. I can see how why he wouldn't have the level of youth support as does Dean, but if he is nominated, I think he will look very appealing to young people when placed alongside Bush, who is a colossal boob and looks and sounds like one on TV.

[JohnKleeb]

30. I am too young to vote next year but I like Kerry

After Kucinich, hes my fave candiate. I am really glad he has come back in Iowa. I cant speak for the youth but I think they will like him. I personally find him Kennedysque in a way.

[Octafish]

31. Kerry once was a kid. Here's proof.

After receivng the Silver Star for heroism in combat in Vietnam, John Kerry resigned his commission and became a leader in the anti-war movement. Here's a photo of him with the late John Lennon, taken at an anti-war rally in New York.



Young people of all ages can get a thorough, if decidedly cool, bio here:

http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/

Those interested in Zen and windsurfing may find Kerry is, too, here:

http://www.americanwindsurfer.com/mag/back/issue5.5a.html

[arewethereyet]

32. youth really like Edwards

as he wants to do something specifically to improve their lives, get them in college so they can have a better future.

[DemOutWest]

40. So does Kerry

Go to his website and read his ideas on college costs. John Kerry believes that everyone who wants to go to college should be able to and he shows how he will get that rolling in his first 100 days.

The link to how is at

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/college/

[citizen snips]

47. Yes.

That is why I support John Edwards.

[sandnsea]

50. 1 year of college and that's it?

That's his proposal, one year of free college. I understand the premise of at least getting every kid into school, but it's important to know what he's offering. My boys would much rather do community service for 2 years and get their entire college paid for. Or have a $4,000 refundable tax credit that would cover their tuition. Those offer the promise of education to everyone too and the promise that everyone can finish.

[citizen snips]

51. Do you really think all kids...

will do 2 years of communtity service to go to college? Edwards plan is a plan that will help everyone.

[mb7588a]

35. See sig. nt

[molly]

39. He will appeal to young people with energy, intelligence, hope,

logic, and compassion. These are the things that he is.

[cindyw]

41. Absolutley, he already has.

My sisters boyfriend, 21 year old musician and his friends who are also musicians (hip hop, electronic) love Kerry and I had nothing to do with it. They just think he is real. They like it when he takes on Bush and when he is tough on Dean on the issues. His military record impresses them I think.

[sandnsea]

46. Intelligence and aspiration

That's what my boys seem to like in him. That he is so smart and I think they see somebody who is going to challenge them to truly be the best they can be. And provide real opportunities for them to do that. Young men desperately need that, somebody to challenge them to be better. I don't pretend to totally understand the male mind, but it seems they do have this innate need to get to the top of the heap and somebody needs to be there to challenge them to do that.

[George_Bonanza]

53. I'm in my mid-teens, and I love Kerry

Why? Because he has the record of a fighter. Anybody can become a turncoat liberal to win an election. But he has the history of 30 years to back him up solidly. To me, that more than makes up for any grudges one may hold against him for the Patriot Act (a bill which even Paul Wellstone approved of) and the IWR. Nobody is better on the environment, I doubt even any Green candidate. He's a big progressive step from George W. Bush regarding homosexual issues and international diplomacy. He's not a Social Democrat or anything, but he's a great package because he's a proven progressive backed by fellows like Ted Kennedy, with an all-around appeal to Republicans and Independents due to his decorated military background, which is crucial in these times.

I do not like Dean because I feel he got his tremendous rise based on misconceptions. He likes to belittle the status quo but is nothing too different himself. He governed from the centre, but campaigns from the left, and will probably go back to the centre. I know a while ago I said I would support him as my second, but that was in dark times of despair. I would back Wesley Clark and John Edwards before Dean.

[Kahuna]

54. There were lots of young people behind him in the shot on MSNBC..

this morning.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

55. Let's hope not.

I would hope that the youth of America are tired of politics as usual and politicians who vote for needless slaughter.