Do you realize the significance of Obama's youth vote?

[mudesi]

In the year 2000, when George W. Bush was "elected", the 18 year olds that Obama has energized were ten years old.

It is an understatement to say that these are the formative years of life.


These children witnessed a stolen election at the age of 10.

At the age of 11, they witnessed the 9/11 attacks.

At the age of 12, they witnessed the failure to capture Osama Bin Laden and the beating of war drums to invade Iraq.

At the age of 13, they witnessed the invasion of Iraq.

At the age of 14, they witnessed another election stolen.

At the age of 15, they witnessed hurricane Katrina and the government's lack of response.

At the age of 16, they witnessed the legalization of torture by the U.S. government.

At the age of 17, they witnessed the conviction of I. Lewis Libby, and the subsequent commutation by George W. Bush.

At the age of 18, they may have been too cynical to bother voting had a leader named Barack Obama not emerged.


This is an entire generation of liberals, folks. They will be 26 years of age at the end of Obama's successful and historic 8 year presidency. They will vote for the Democrat, and more importantly, elect liberal Democrats for a long time to come.

The sun is rising.

[Bicoastal]

1. 2000 was the first election year I was eligible to vote in...

...I've been fired up and ready to go for 8 LONG YEARS! :mad:

[Name removed]

2. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[anonymous171]

3. Yup. We are democrats who grew up distrusting the Federal Government and executive privilege.

[1Hippiechick]

28. as we did in the 60s!

:yourock:



:headbang:



:woohoo:

[Beregond2]

4. Wow, that really puts things into perspective. Thanks.

[Danger Mouse]

5. how do you think i feel? the first time i voted was in 2000.

8 long years i've waited for this...

[27inCali]

6. just about anyone who made the passage

from childhood to adult in and around those years will see the world much differently than those who came before, even guys like me who are 27 now.

I was 20 when Bush stole the election and I learned for the first time that the popular vote doesn't count and that our democracy was not safe from fraud even in the highest realms of public attention.

9/11 came when I was 21, the first thing I thought was, isn't the reason why we pay taxes is so our government can prevent shit like that happening? I felt awful, but I didn't understand the full scope of the repercussions that were going to follow. I didn't realize how shell-shocked and illogical my parents generation were about to become, or how quickly they were willing to piss away their liberty and privacy and sense of logic only to indulge in some nutty fantasy of greater security.

the between ages 20-25 or so is when I think we really become adults. We turn 21, we're going to bars, goofing off and partying not realizing the march of history going on without us. We always hated Bush, but most guys my age thought that Kerry was a total douchebag and that there was no difference really between the two, and in some ways they were right. I voted, but most of my friends did not: they were still growing up and learning about the dire consequences of apathy.

Now we understand that our parent's generation is too old and set in their ways to break from the bad habits that have taken us down this blind alley, they're still driving their SUVs, they mock our hope, saying haughtily to anyone who will listen that Barack will be probably be shot and all our dreams will go up in smoke (as thought to tell us not even to try to do the right thing, but to resigns ourselves to the horrible fate they have attempted to foist on us all with their apathy and defeatism) -the Narcissism of the boomers tell them that if they must grow old and die, than so shall our nation and the world. We know there are many notable excepts that should be held up high, but we know that a lot of boomers are still totally shell-shocked by 9/11 and too disappointed with the great cultural ebb that followed the late 60's -they will never be up for the big fight again. It will be up to us to fix it, and no one else. No one but ourselves to blame if we fail.

I predict 30% of those voting this Nov will be under the age of thirty, and that the biggest theme of this election, second only to the first AA president, will be the mighty roar that will issue forth from my generation in the name of Justice and Liberty.

[movonne]

9. I wish I could recommend this....very good....

[DebJ]

10. Ouch! My husband and I are boomers, and social studies

teachers, and we never gave up the spirit of the 60s. We drive long distances to DC to protest the war. We are political activists determined to turn York County into a Dem county this November. Ouch. Ouch. I don't know any boomers who are like the boomers you speak of. But then, we don't make good money....

[HowHasItComeToThis]

17. I AM 64 AND WILL TRAVEL TO RED STATES TO MOTIVATE YOUTH VOTE

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :dem: :kick: :dem: :kick: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[saracat]

18. Really, well the boomer generation came up with all those thoughts before you did!

OMG, I am laughing my butt off. WE said everything that you are saying to "our parents" and we were able to actually "end" a war and we were far more involved than these kids but hey "rock on". Our generation introduced Feminism, equal opportunity, enviornmentalism ,and civil rights ! What has this one done? Bitch and survive one primary? Make Rap mainstream? Wow! And who is the Narcissist? The Boomers, or the ones with little knowledge who disparage them?

But it is all "new" when you are young. Lets see what happens.Thank God most of your generation aren't condecending and silly and self obsessed as this OP!

[ellisonz]

20. "Our generation introduced Feminism, equal opportunity, enviornmentalism ,and civil rights !"

Really? American history is rolling in its grave, laughing.

[cottonseed]

34. You didn't end a war. You started one. You didn't do shit for civil rights or feminism.

You're parents (the greatest generation) made that happen. You guys smoked dope, wore tie dye and convinced yourselves that you were doing something. You're the fattest generation, the me generation, and an albatross we'll need to be helping get through your last 2 decades because you didn't bother to save a dime over the years. No offense, but we all pretty much now know your generation was probably the worst of all time. The worst part of it is we'll need to keep you and your egos fed for the next couple decades while having to sit their listening to your confused memories of what you actually "accomplished". Which wasn't jack shit.

[saracat]

36. Wow You certainly have personal problems with your parents. Get some

therapy. This much hatred for an entire generation can't be healthy!

[cottonseed]

37. .

[cottonseed]

38. .

it's not worth it

[Starbucks Anarchist]

45. Your generation introduced feminism?

I'm sure Susan B. Anthony would disagree.

[1Hippiechick]

29. "...the Narcissism of the boomers...they will never be up for the big fight again." Whoa, there!

Oh, Lord, to whom have you been talking? As an older boomer, I don't feel that way, and I think I speak for many. I will be 61 in a few months, and you have no idea how THRILLED I am about this election! It's like everthing is finally coming together, and in my lifetime! The Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were legislated in the 60s! Yes, the 60s were turbulent but NECESSARY for the change that followed. In my soul, I feel those rumblings in our current youth. The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) are enjoying a resurgence, and I have been THRILLED to see their peace protests and marches--their activist spirit in Chapel Hill!- "Change Gonna Come." Yes, the youth will invigorate a lot of the "old-timers."
Yes, it is going to be up to your generation because you are the future, but you will not fight your battles alone. We old activists have battle scars that we won't forget, and we will be right by your side.

[PseudoIntellect]

7. Nice, this describes my generation. I played Al Gore in my 5th grade class's 2000 election debate

at the age of 10.

We haven't yet had a liberal or left-leaning moderate president in this millennium. It's time for a change.

[Blue-Jay]

8. A young man (22) very close to me registered this year to vote in the primary.

Two years ago he said "I don't care. It doesn't matter."

This year, the lazy-ass waited in line for nearly two hours to cast a primary vote for Obama (equipment failure). I realize that counting on the young persons' GE votes in November has previously been for naught, but if my uninterested non-political young friend is any indication, there are going to be a few surprises this year.

[rufus dog]

11. Great point and I think the 14 to 18 year olds in 2000 are even more relevant

These kids say all of what you said, went through High School, some college, and see the impact of Republican ideology. The 16 and 17 year olds in 2000 are lost to the repukes for a generation. It is a HUGE opportunity that can't be missed.

[lxlxlxl]

12. wow...

havent seen it laid out like that...I've been really supporting Obama because of his "bottom up" approach, which I think has been missing since the 50's really. great post.

[pnorman]

13. I'm saving that to pass on to a few of my Fellow Geezers (who were once young).

Thanks!

pnorman

[nam78_two]

14. K&R-also don't forget the environmental issues President Asshat has ignored these last 8 years.nt

[TTUBatfan2008]

15. There's a lot of cynicism about the youth vote...

but I'll tell ya, being a young person myself (22) and being on a college campus up until May of this year (graduation), Obama will deliver the youth vote. Unlike pretty much any other political candidate, the guy is COOL to many young people because, despite being 46, he comes across as MUCH younger. He has such a youthful, positive energy in his personality that it is very easy for young people to relate to him.

[grace0418]

16. Walk into any Urban Outfitters. Obama stuff is everywhere. I'd say he has the youth

vote quite energized, and they won't be minimized this year.

[Not a robought]

19. And throughout this time

they saw their futures, freedoms and stability get sold up the river by a generation of people on the take leaving them to shoulder a social security and medicare burden. They also witnessed friends and family lose their homes.

The least they'll want to do is vote.

[phoenixriz]

23. Love the Youth Vote

I came of age when I witnessed John F. Kennedy speak when I was in college. The nuns drove us down in a bus to hear him and he was beautiful. We were jumping and screaming as we filtered outside the auditorium to watch him leave. I am a 66 year old white woman now. I love talking politics with my 16 year old granddaughter and say go for it. I am proud that the youth are taking an interest in this election and look forward to Barack Obama as our President. I've have enough of the negativity and deceit and was resigned that it would never end. How depressing it has been. I say go for it. Bring on the young energetic activists. You have a chance to feel like I did when I heard JFK and it was thrilling. I support you 100%.

[Hippo_Tron]

21. Young people vote when politicians work to get them out

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/passingthrough/327903

And that doesn't mean going on MTV and playing the saxophone. It means knocking on their doors and calling them just like you do for any other voters. I worked on a state legislative race where our candidate won by less than 100 votes and about 200 college students voted because we knocked on their doors and called them.

[loyalsister]

39. Young people vote when they work to get each other out

Obama's organizing is bottom up. The young people are working for him. It is slick and smooth operation that lacks the old style authoritarian qualities of having older "more experienced" people who know better in charge.

[Awsi Dooger]

22. It's by far the most significant aspect of an Obama win

I supported Hillary after Edwards dropped out, but I never failed to recognize the long term benefit of an Obama win. I remember posting a related comment on Pollster.com in February or March.

With Hillary as nominee the youth vote would have been significantly closer to 50/50, and without as much potential for piggy back 8 years worth of new Democrats to add to the 8 years of young voters who Bush has repulsed. Going forward, assuming an Obama win and successful presidency, that 16 years of pro-Democratic tilt can be the trump card margin of error for decades, surviving everything but landslide conditions.

Pollster.com did a fascinating breakdown a year or two ago. Party allegiance is cemented at a very young age. Pure mythology that it sways wildly as voters get older. Right now the GOP is staying barely afloat via the pro-Reagan slant of young voters who came of age in the '80s.

[bridgit]

24. yeah i do, i only hope they'll have the strength of character to accept what may never be...

especially in a world where Steve Jobs decides what is the right price...and then the wrong price boo-hoo :cry:

[jzodda]

25. Lets see if they turn out in November

They always talk about the strong support among the youth vote which I guess is 18-25 or a little older. They always say how they will change the game and how passionate they are. Then come November in each election and they don't show up. I hope that this time is different but I will believe it when I see it.

[leftynyc]

30. I'm the same as you

I hear every four years that the young voters are going to turn out in huge numbers and am disappointed every time. It'll be nice if it happens but I wont believe it until I see it.

[mudesi]

31. This time they will

That Obama is the nominee is a testament to the youth vote this time. Hillary Clinton had it in the bag until the youth spoiled it for her.

[jzodda]

42. I hope so, but remember Bill Clinton was in a similar positon in 1992

He was young, represented a changing of the guard and they talked about it non stop. I was 21 years old at the time and lived with 8 people. We all talked about the election, argued over it and seemed passionate about it. On election day only 2 of us voted and the other guy I had to drag kicking to the polls. Everybody else had "better" things to do or conveniently forgot.

Young people don't seem to take this stuff seriously historically. Even when they talk a good game. Again I am always hopeful but will not hold my breath. Will this generation of young people be different? We sure as hell need them to be. I will be very disappointed if they do not come through for us but it won't surprise me one bit.

[eridani]

26. More than thay, we are looking at putting a good farm team together

--for running for local offices. Some of those kids will be our Dem congresscritters and governors not too many years from now.

[1Hippiechick]

27. ".and more importantly, elect liberal Democrats for a long time to come." PROVIDED that tabulations

are not tampered with. www.blackboxvoting.org
Get involved, contact State Board of Elections, ask questions, ask for diagrams of precinct set-up, etc. etc. Black Box Voting also has state-by-state date that you may find interesting.

[ram2008]

32. this describes me

I turned 18 recently, and nothing makes me more happier that realizing that the first vote that I will be able to cast will be going to Barack Obama and his historic candidacy.

I remember 9/11, I remember the start countdown to the invasion of Iraq on St.Patricks day, and I remember all of the lies and crimes Bush and his administration have committed.

Let me tell you the youth have a strong distaste for Bush and his administration, and we are angry about what the Republicans have done to our country. This year we will come out in historic numbers, and we will come out strong for Obama.

Funny note:

In my AP Gov class we had a straw poll vote for Obama v McCain.

13 Obama - 1 McCain. lol

[SteppingRazor]

33. The 2000 election was the first election I could vote in. And I live in Florida.

Suffice to say, the day I vote for a Republican is the day someone has a gun to my head. Barack Obama certainly provides more impetus for going Democratic, but the desire was already there. Of course, I've got a couple years on these 18 year olds you speak of. :)

[knixphan]

47. Agreed!

And, sorry about 2000...

[Bluenorthwest]

35. Perspective...

I'm one or two years older than Obama. My political eary memories are as follows. Murder of JFK, MLK, Bobby. Watergate, self immolating monks and many many of those just a few years older than me- the youth vote of the time- utterly changing the shape and direction of their lives in order to stand for justice and peace. Everybody my age saw the same things. They did not remain liberal, and your generation will not automatically either. The young anti-Nixon cousin of mine, who would often say he was a communinist, is a landlord and is in favor of not just Iraq, but bombing Iran. This guy was oh so very revolutionary...until he got some money. Now he's not. He's typical. I'm not typical.
Do all you can to keep your age group on the righteous track, knowing in advance that many of them, as goodhearted and well intentioned as they are now, will drop all of it like a hot 'tater the moment they are offered real money. Or power. Fame....whatever. Seeing Bush and 9-11 and Iraq does not in any way promise liberal or Democratic votes in the future. This is not a knock, it is a report from an advance man, a scout. If they are to remain Democratic and liberal, it will take hard work from you, their age peer, to make that so. It is not going to drop off the tree all ripe and liberal while you and yours are busy getting rich. If you want to see what you say you want to see, then please know that it will only come by working for it. It is far from a foregone conclusion.

[knight_of_the_star]

40. We're here and ready to fight

Growing up watching our parent's generation, watching Generation X especially screw the pooch and leave us holding the bag has left a LOT of people in my generation rather pissed off.

Yes, the boomers did great things in their day, but since then so many of them have failed to live up to the bar they met in the 60s and 70s. What we see is the damage being done to us and our country in the here and now, the betrayal of the 60s, and that is what is doing it. Past laurels are only good in times like these as kindling for fire.

[WinkyDink]

41. Did 14-yr-olds then really think about 2004 and its "being stolen"? Did then

17-yr-olds really read about Scooter Libby?

I remember 12-yr-olds watching the President tell us of the Soviet threat 90 miles from our shores (we who had practiced huddling under school desks to withstand a nuclear attack); 13-year-olds learning of America's infamous Bay of Pigs debacle; 14-yr-olds having their President assassinated (after Medgar Evers); 15-yr-olds reading of the murders of Goodman, Chaney, Schwerner; 16-yr-olds seeing young Americans being drafted and dying in VietNam; 18-yr-olds witnessing the assassinations of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy; 19-yr-olds marching in the streets against the VietNam Conflict and watching National Guardsmen KILL THEIR PEERS on a COLLEGE CAMPUS;...

I, too, once thought the youth vote would "elect liberal Democrats for a long time to come."

[theboss]

44. The "Youth Vote" is the green light on Daisy's dock of American politics

It is always going to make a difference and usually disappoints you.

Read coverage of the '72 Campaign when 18 to 21-year-olds terrified of being sent to die overseas ended up voting for Nixon anyway.

[theboss]

43. And everyone who was 21 in 1960 voted for Nixon in '72

Just sayin'.

Trying to track what an 18 year old is going to do next month is tough, let alone 8 years from now.

[knixphan]

46. right on, skynyrd!

took the thought right out of my head-

ONWARD!

[knixphan]

48. everyone knows ONE 18-year old.

...just sayin'.

Each one teach one.