Joe Trippi: "I have never witnessed such energy among those under 30"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6390335/



The question the pundits have been asking these last few days is whether or not those between 18 and 29 years of age show up at the polls today. Journalists have come to call these potential voters the “wild card” in today’s election.

What will happen today has been obvious from the first days of Howard Dean’s campaign for President. Generation E—the empowered generation, has been more involved in the 2004 campaign from the start than any other group of Americans. And they have been more active as they have attained voting age than any generation in decades.

The signs have been all around us, but still the experts seem to want to deny the obvious. They created and carried a no-name, no chance candidacy to front-runner status for the Democratic nomination. Generation E was largely responsible for raising Howard Dean more money than any Democrat in history, and they campaigned their hearts out by the hundreds of thousands across the country. When Dean’s candidacy failed through no fault of their own, they stayed active and involved, putting their energy and feeling of empowerment to change the country behind the candidacy of John Kerry where they largely were responsible for raising the $80 million that Kerry garnered from Internet contributions. Arguably, they kept John Kerry financially competitive with George Bush who raised $10 million on the Internet.

I have traveled to college and high school campuses, and yes, to working-class neighborhoods where too many are still not making it to campuses of higher education. I have never, in 30 years of politics, witnessed such energy among those under 30. You have to be politically blind not to see it.

:toast:

[high density]

1. Joe Trippi says something that makes sense!

Holy crap.

[robsul82]

6. Hey, Trippi had a hilarious jab at Stephen Baldwin last night on MSNBC.

Mr. BAB said, "Jesus would be against vote supression." Trippi replied, "Could He tell that to Karl Rove sometime tomorrow, then?"

Later.

RJS

[high density]

16. LOL...

That was a good jab. I was lucky and saw that last night.

[Beaverhausen]

21. I saw that! It was great. Baldwin also said he is Jesus' ambassador

asshole!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. I believe that Kerry will get 51%!

[Borgnine]

5. I believe he'll get 90%

But then I'm overly excited right now.

[0007]

7. I'd say higher than 51% after you add in the fudge factor

Call 866 687-8683
If Poll Workers refuse you to vote for any reason
If there is a late opening or early closing of a polling place.
If your polling place runs out of ballots or has an incorrect ballot
If you experience poll worker insensitivity or discrimination in the voting process

The civil rights community have set up a toll-free Election Day hotline. This line is
staffed now and, in addition to logging your complaint, the civil rights organizations have law
students and attorneys who can provide assistance on Election Day.

the hotline number is
866 687-8683
202 457-0473 fax

[Hornito]

13. I say, somewhere between 52.5% & 55%. Go Kerry!!

n/t

[AmerDem]

3. they interviewed Tweety this morning and

he said there are NO UNDECIDEDS in the 18 to 29 year old category ( according to a poll he named but I forgot)

[Dob Bole]

4. I'm 22...

and I got up at 7 am and made a 3 hour round trip to go home and vote. I know a lot of Bush voters my age who are pissed off and switching to Kerry. And today we fire our ballots!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

8. I salute you!

:yourock:

I was waiting for the polls to open at 6:00 AM this morning. Never done that in my LIFE. From what I've seen on the Web today, a lot of other Americans started their day in line too...and I don't think they were all "W" supporters.

[giant_robot]

17. I toast both of you!

:beer: :beer:

From another 6:00 am voter!

Thanks to the young'uns for coming through for us!

And one more :beer:

for Howard Dean, who energized the base and made today possible!

[cubsfan forever]

14. Kick! n/t

Professor 2

[cubsfan forever]

15. Kick! n/t

Professor 2

[HerbieHeadhunter]

25. Excellent...

great news. Thank you.

[tinrobot]

9. We'll have them in the fold for a generation

Just like FDR did in 1932, this election has created a whole generation of Democrats.

This will be one of the most enduring legacies of 2004.

[madmax]

19. If we don't take them for granted

We need to get things done for people. I believe Kerry will do that but, we - all of us who have supported him have to get on our congresscritters and senators and let them know what we want and that they had better work with this administration.

We've got your back.

:yourock:

[ieoeja]

23. I disagree.

I live in a mostly Democratic area where the youth is almost universally Republican. A decade and a half of intense rightwing propaganda has had its greatest effect on these newly developing minds.

[Career Prole]

10. Thanks, young'uns!

Just a reminder, though...we have lots of elections, so don't let this be a "one-time good deal".
Stay with it, k? Bad shit can happen when you don't.
:toast:

[realisticphish]

11. Generation E, i love it.

im gonna use that from now on


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[LibDemAlways]

12. I have voted in the same

suburban CA neighborhood for the past 25 years. Before today I can't remember ever seeing a young voter (18 - 25) at the polls. Many live at home with their parents around here, but I've never before seen any voting. Not today. This morning they were at the polling place casting ballots. They know what's at stake in this election.

[jbond56]

18. yup

I voted early this year. I could not wait to cast my vote.

I think I talked a lot of people into supporting President Kerry.

[Village Idiot]

20. The energy here feels just like 1968...

hopefully we get a better outcome?

[Yavin4]

22. When You Take Away Their Jobs and Send Them Off To War

American youth tend to get politically motivated. Remember the 60s?

[Eurobabe]

24. maybe they know * is trying to kill them?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

26. The 60s had Lenny Bruce, the 00s have Stern, Moore & Franken

...I really believe that had a lot to do with it. All it takes is someone smart enough to understand the message and talented / passionate enough to communicate it, and the end result is enlightenment.

:toast: