Tucked away in the early N.C. voting numbers is encouraging news for a maligned voting group.
Thus far, 35 percent of registered voters ages 18-24 have cast a ballot in the state. That's better than a couple of age groups and worse than a couple of age groups, but it's much different than previous years, when young voters lagged far behind everyone else in voter turnout.
In 2004, about 47 percent of young American voters cast a ballot in the general election - 17 percent behind the country as a whole. And that was an improvement over the 2000 election.
Young voters trend Democratic, of course, so the turnout in a tight N.C. race is good news for Barack Obama. Not a coincidence that he's picked UNC Charlotte - the largest campus in a county he badly needs - as his choice for an N.C. rally. Will the students - and other young voters - continue to respond?
Tell us what you think.
Your morning buzz:
Although lines here will likely not be unusually long, there's worry about high turnout bringing voting difficulties in other states, the New York Times reports.
NYT conservative columnist Bill Kristol says liberals shouldn't worry.
The Wall Street Journal asks: Is Georgia in play?
Ohio - still coveted, still close, the Washington Post reports.
Historically, candidates go positive in an election's final days. Not this time, the Post reports.
Politico says McCain campaign manager Rick Davis sought to put the best face on his candidate's outlook.
The Obama campaign is pleased - but superstitious, Politico reports.
Finally, an outside take - from Time - on the N.C. race for U.S. Senate.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Morning Buzz: OMG, the youth vote
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I think most young voters will vote on Tuesday; the last minute. For them it will be like a social event standing in long lines for hours; sort of like camping out for tickets for sporting events.....
Thank you Obama for running an inspiring campaign that has engaged the youth and harnessed their energy to work for change and a better America tomorrow for everybody. Thank you to the youth for helping our country ensure that it continues on the path towards fully realizing our ideals. And for those of you who have spewed divisive hatred for weeks about Obama and his campaign - I hope you too can gain something positive from his example.
I think it's good that young people are voting - as long as they are taking the time to study the issues and vote on that basis - and are not just jumping on the bandwagon and getting sucked into the "you can make history" rhetoric. but something tells me that's exactly what's happening.
As a young person, this election is more important than ever because it effects me and my future. I don't think any of the other ones did that. Which is why I never listened to politics until now. I have listened and chosen to vote for the person who has an overall plan for the future, and not the person who is talking in the "right now" plan. I'm voting for the person who is talking about making college more affordable. And who is talking about building up the middle class. Barack Obama has my vote.
Good,
I just read the story about the closing of numerous Circuit City's because they are not meeting profits. Which will cost jobs. If you pump money into the middle class, they will spend money at stores like these, and the stores won't have to close because they are meeting profits! Company's are closing because nobody in the middle class has extra money to spend at them, because all the breaks are going to the wealthy! When will people realize this? Giving tax cuts to the wealthy does not create jobs, it loses jobs! You have to give the breaks to the lower classes because they control the spending, and when 95% of America is spending, everybody benefits from top to bottom! The theory is simple, and so is the vote.
voting on tuesday is not last minute. I like to call that "election day"
The youth, the immigrants, the racially mixed, believers of all faiths, the economically informed, the environmemtalists, the constitutionalists, the social activists, the teachers, those who need better health care, those who want to protect their social security, those who want peace and those who truly love all that our country stands for are coming together to vote for Obama!
I believe that the youth are informed voters and understand that at 18 they have been entrusted with the same privilege and responsibility as other voting adults. They know better than many of us how to consider their sources and research facts and use the internet to broaden knowledge and communication. Obama understands this too. I think McCain is still struggling with email!
A couple of things...
People always loop "young voters" together every election cycle like its the same people every time. The 18-24 demographic is made of people who either voted in 2004(06) or have never voted. A low number from the 1996 for example, represents people who are now at least 30. I hope when this election is analyzed people realize that the younger generation cares. Don't forget that its this generation that is fighting in Iraq. Its this generation that suffers under tuition increases. Its this generation that talked about 9/11 in middle school and high school.
Also, this increase in young voters will skew the polls. Most numbers that are being recited are from "likely voters." If you have never voted before, you aren't a "likely voter."
McCain reminds the youth of their grumpy old grandpa who still tells old war stories.
Obama is the man for today and provides leadership for Americans, inspires confidence in our all youth, and has already gained the respect of the world.
INDEED! It is the young who have suffered the most and will continue to suffer if the republicans continue in power. The republicans squandered a budget surplus, invaded a country on lies, catered to the rich and the big corporations and now want 4more years to drive the final nail in the coffin. Young people are realizing that they must act to protect their interests because Bush, McCain and their ilk just don't care about them. They want a President with intelligence, intellectual curiosity, humility and a vision for all of America. They will vote in large numbers for Obama because the alternative of 4 more years of Bush policies is unthinkably bad for them and this country.
The youth vote reminds me of how I did not practice this American freedom when I was younger as I was so frustrated with each of the parties running. I felt like none of them really represented me. 20 years later, I have many of those same feelings as an independent voter, but have come to appreciate the sacrifices that my grandfather made in WWII, my brother in law in the Gulf War, and my nephew in the Iraq war.... that has allowed us freedom to think and choose. So now, even though I do not agree with all the positions that either of the presidential candidates talk about, I will vote for the one that most closely represents what I stand for....
1. Small government
2. Work hard to make your own lot in life
3. Respect for country and military
4. An open perspective to the views of all people
John McCain most closely represents these things, and his age reflects the experience of an elderly leader who knows what it takes to make this a stronger and safer country.
Whoever wins, we need to hold their and the Congress feet to the fire in making positive things happen in this country. A VOTE IS NOT THE END OF OUR DUTY AS AMERICANS, JUST THE BEGINNING!
A couple of comments:
1) I agree with the poster who hopes that the youth are voting on policies and have actually done due diligence rather than voting for the glitz and show. This will impact you in your adult life - college is a completely different lifestyle and you (and I) have (had) no idea the true impact of political policy when you are out in the real world working and paying taxes.
Now that I am 10 years out of college - I feel the impact of the Clinton Administration (sorry guys, but this economic issue and credit crisis is a direct result of his 1999 policies). He seemed so cool when I was in college, but reality and time proved that he was just show and not the messiah. I think this generation will recognize the same with Obama years from now...and it will be too late.
2) If Circuit City stays in business, under Obama's plan they will pay much higher taxes. So, do you think they can really afford to keep their staff, let alone create new jobs, if they are forced to pay higher taxes. Doubtful.
The good news is, I know plenty of educated (politically and socially) youth voters (under 24) that understand the consequences of certain politics and policies and are voting for McCain.
Yes, the youth will have one big party tomorrow in celebration of the change they help to bring!
Obama is the first candidate since Bill Clinton to inspire our country in such a way and bring so many different people together. Like Bill Clinton he will work to restore peace and prosperity which eight years of the Bush administration have critically eroded and he still can't catch Bin Laden!
Oh it has been a long, dark and gloomy eight years under Bush and the republicans resulting in a record deficit of half a trillion, over ten trillion in debt and no end to Bin Laden or the Iraq war. The youth most assuredly want a different future and are helping the country to get there!
Because of their ease with computers for gaining information and communicating, the youth are better informed and more immune the hateful and misleading ads the GOP is relying on the keep them in power. First the economic crisis which they never even saw coming as they kept the call for deregulation, then the terrorist issue to distract from the fact that they never did get Bin Laden, then the spread the wealth after they spread our wealth to China and the middle east through war, debt and gas dependence and now the videos of fetuses like McCain ever really cared about the abortion issue - even in the last debate when asked, he insisted there would be no litmus test for the supreme court - it is all a smokescreen from the republicans!!!
Bill Kristol is a moron. He says he is a 'compassionate conservative'. I remember gw claimed as much too just before he was elected and then went about gutting social programs, raping the treasury, instituting torture, and curtailing civil liberties. No, as a liberal I'm not scared anymore having survived the neocon onslaught, but as a conservative about to lose to a liberal in this crucial election, he should be. We know how to hit you where it hurts, Mister Kristol, so be prepared.
Of course voting is important to young people, especially now. The current administration has put $5 trillion more in deferred taxes (the deficit) onto their generation. Over $8 trillion of the $10 trillion deficit was piled on under Repubican presidents. And this is just one issue that will have a major impact on their lives. Economy, jobs, energy, foreign relations, environment. Is it any surprise they are turning out by the millions in support of Barack Obama? Not to me.
"The youth, the immigrants, the racially mixed, believers of all faiths, the economically informed, the environmemtalists, the constitutionalists, the social activists, the teachers, those who need better health care, those who want to protect their social security, those who want peace and those who truly love all that our country stands for are coming together to vote for Obama!"
I am racially mixed, quite well educated on economics, socially and environmentally active, and above all else, I'm a very strong constitutionalist. I'm NOT voting for Obama! His economics are socialism, plain as day. This is not debatable, call a cow a cow. He is part of the Democratic Party, no matter how idealistic he is, they are still a joke. Same with the Republican Party. The two-party system itself it the reason for much of the problems in the U.S. Obama is making a lot of empty promises. I'm a college student majoring in Finance as well as Sustainable Development, and most of the young people I know are voting for 3rd Party candidates. The only people voting for Obama are people who listen to bad music and wear hipster glasses with tight-jeans and ipods. cookie-cutter emo bandwagon kids.
Bush, Cheney and the republicans spent thousands of lives and trillions of dollars in Iraq and have nothing to show for it - meanwhile American roads and bridges are crumbling and the No Child Act did nothing to keep India and China from leaving us behind in education and jobs and health care, like the economy, is in critical condition. McCain has said he wants to freeze all spending ex defense and military affairs in two debates - how would that begin to fix America's problems???
You Obama voters are condeming the United States to a worst 4 years than the 8 years that Bush was in.
May God have mercy on your pathetic soles.
I will be glad when Wednesday Morning comes. I don't want to see another political advertisment on the television. At this point it's a what he/she can't or won't do and no issues.
The youth see that enough in their daily lives; bullies, school shootings and whatnot. Who wants that in their elected officials!!!
I honestly think the voting age should be moved back to 22 to 24 years old with the way things are today. Many 18 year olds have no clue what the real world is as they get taken care of their whole life through college. They should at least prove that they have had a job or owned a piece of property. Something to contribute to society other than spending their parents money.
Now with college being viewed an entitlement, it will just continue to get worse.
Change and hope and speaches that sound good is all it takes to attract many young folks.....kind of like a shiny coin.
I go to UNCC, and I have noticed that a lot of students are more enthusiastic about Obama than McCain. You can see it, hear it, and feel it all over the campus. Seems like the biggest issue among young women in this campus is: Sarah Palin's poor knowledge of foreign politics and domestic issues as well. These young ladies think she is too far to the right. they see her as a religious fanatic. I like McCain, but I think that if he looses, it will be because Sarah Palin.
CIVITAS, using early voting through Thursday found very very different results oddly enough. shocking, Observer spins one way, Civitas the other.
The facts say that this year is not any different than in elections past. Young voters continue to underperform in turnout relative to their percentage of registration.
While young voters make up 11 percent of registration they represent only 9 percent of turnout to date – the exact same percentages they were in 2004. Despite the intense media focus on young voters this year and the efforts of many campaigns to motivate young voters, they are not turning out in any higher percentages than before.
in 2004 9% of Registered 'youth voters' actually voted. They are on pace in NC for the same turnout
Anon, 11:34: The numbers quoted here are more recent - and they do show that the youngest voters are turning out at a greater comparative rate then previous elections. Thus far, at least.
No, the numbers have not made a huge jump with an extra 2 days of EV factored in. You are just spinning the numbers a different way.
http://www.jwpcivitasinstitute.org/media/press-releases/young-voters-still-absent-early-voting
Breakdown by age of early voters through Thursday, October 30:
AGES Pct of Turnout Pct of Registration
18-25 9% 11%
26-45 20% 27%
41-65 50% 45%
66+ 22% 17%
---------
so you are telling us the 18-25 age group went from 9% to 35% with the extra 2 days not in the CIVITAS analysis?
Sorry, but Circuit City has its own set of problems unrelated to middle-class spending.
Remember when they decided a few years ago to get rid of their most experienced employees because they were earning too much?
We're not talking executives here, but rank and file $12/hr employees getting the shaft.
I'm sure the CEO made millions from his "cost cutting", but now the company is sucking wind.
And, of course, more low level employees will lose their jobs.
The only thing that seems to "trickle down" from the rich is their foolishness...
-anon1
Anonymous 10:41 am,
Under Obama's plan they would be going back to the same taxes they paid during the 90s. (WHEN THEY WERE OPENING STORES AND NOT CLOSING THEM). They would be able to continue to open stores, and create jobs because there would be an increase in sales and profit! With extra cash, people could buy those brand new $20 DVD's that just came out. Right now they just aren't doing it! Right now Circuit City is getting a tax break, and they are closing 155 stores? It just does not add up, when will you people realize that?
10:42 I really enjoyed those 22 million net jobs Clinton created and not the 2 million net jobs which have been lost under Bush.....
We are measuring actual turnout within an age group, not how many registered voters there are in one group versus another.
Early voting numbers show that 35 percent of N.C. registered voters ages 18-24 have voted. That's more than two other age groups and less than three others. Historically, young voters have been far behind every age group.
As people vote on Tuesday, that turnout percentage will go up - as it will for every age group.
You know, people complain about raising taxes on the "middle class", but I don't see where raising taxes from 36% to 39% is going to hurt a bunch of people with adjusted incomes above $250K.
Sure, some of those people create jobs, but if their adjusted income is $500K, then their taxes are only going up by $250K*3% or around $7500.
That's not even enough to pay one person's salary at minimum wage.
If the CEO of Circuit City made a million dollars, then his taxes would only go up around $22K.
That is just barely enough to make up for one employee fired during his cost cutting spree where thousands lost jobs a few years ago.
And, in addition to his salary, he still gets stock options and such.
Absolutely no downside to his lifestyle no whether he succeeds or not.
CEO's BENEFIT no matter whether they are good or bad and rank and file workers SUFFER no matter whether good or bad.
And who can seriously think corporations are going to change this?
Seriously, where's the downside for the "leaders"?
-anon1
I hope the youth voters have heard the latest on Obama: His aunt has 1) been living illegally in this country 2) lives in public housing (which we, the taxpayers, are footing the bill.
First of all, if he thinks we should take care of everyone - why can't he take care of his own familiy members? They have to mooch off the taxpayers (AND do it illegally). Nice.
I think it makes sense for the young to vote for Obama.
After all, they are more likely to be like the Circuit City employees who lose their $12/hr jobs than the CEO's who pay an extra few thousand on their taxes.
Sure, maybe people should aspire to jobs higher than those at Circuit City, but with Wall Street in the tanks, they are much less likely to be in that $250K+ income range no matter what they choose.
Remember when US industry started going downhill, the "service industry" was promoted as our salvation.
Now that is starting to tank as well.
Ironically, "Joe The Plumber" will probably make more as a "celebrity" than he ever would as a plumber, even if he owned his own company!
A lot of people at the top seem to have done well during this transition.
So maybe it is time they felt some heat.
-anon1
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