Youth vote growing, supporting Obama

Yes, the youth vote is tremendously important and I am so proud of them for becoming actively involved in Obama's campaign. Hillary cannot spin that fact., but she has been successful in putting doubts in the minds of some superdelegates and party leaders about the working class voters support. Some of these wussies at the top need to get a backbone, but I digress. My point here is to suggest that Barack Obama consider asking John Edwards to be his vice presidential running mate. Edwards is a man of the people, tremendously admired by the working class, no doubt because he champions their cause. Put him on the ticket with Obama and you've got a lot of bases covered, as well as a good man at President Obama's right hand.

The young people are carrying less baggage with regard to gender and racial prejudice. They have ideals and want a better relationship with the whole world. They want to be planetary team players and not dominators. They want to believe that leadership can inspire and they can build a trustworthy government.

We need them. Obama's speaking of a better future, not one so based on dominance and winner take all, but one more based on conciliation and cooperation.

We can have this. But there are some changes to make to have it. I say this as an elder, a female, a white woman. We need the vision and commitment of the young people who are not spoiled, not fossilized into cynical perspectives.

" Barack Obama may have lost Pennsylvania, but Harvard's Institute of Politics had some encouraging news today: young voters overwhelmingly prefer him to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton."

Encouraging news...????? Isn't your state, that's chockfull of f*cking closet marxists planning on leaving the union soon?

Please get cracking.

I just read a blog post yesterday; a college student said he and his friends decided they are not going to vote in November if Clinton is the Democrat nominee. As to what Jim Leach said; I thought the African/American vote was "central" to Obama's success and the Latino/Latina vote "central" to Clintons. Of course, members of both groups can also be college or youth vote. I am tired of this election. It borders on the absurd. Flag lapel pins is a more important debate topic than if and when we invade Iran, will the candidates re-instate the draft. I know McCain and Obama are aware of the shortage of troops. I know McCain favors attacking Iran, as does Clinton. I also would have liked to know how McCain or Clinton intend to fund a new war.

Great to hear. To the extent young people get involved and make serious efforts to make good change happen, our nation has hope for a bright future.

g

The moral of this story is pretty obvious: if Hillary were to win the nomination by getting the undecided delegates to throw it her way, then the Democratic Party will risk alienating and losing a vast pool of voters -- those under-30 voters and black voters-- who support Senator Obama. Good luck to the future of the DNC if THAT happens. Obama is the face and future of the Democratic Party, not Hillary Clinton and her tired old political thuggery.

If you stay conservative before 30 year old, you don't have heart.
If you stay radical after 40 year old, you have no brain.

I am 52 years old ,white weekly church attending catholic and hell will freeze over before I vote for Hillary Clinton - I will only vote Obama or not at all in November.

Get OUT must be a Yalie.

Dear Gaias Child, you are a very wise elderly white lady. If only this world is made up of more humans like you, this planet of ours would be a better place for all other humans. I wholeheartedly agree with your exemplary sentiments. Thank you for your invaluable contributions.

Go Obama !

Well, that's ok with me if the youth will not vote for Hillary if she were the nominee. They probably will forget to vote anyway, or may be too hung-over to get to the voting places in November.

I can guarantee you that I will not vote for Barack Obama if he were the nominee. I'll vote for McCain, and I'll take those tax cuts, thank you very much!

Lets all these young folks start paying taxes, and raising families. Then we'll see
who they vote for. It won't be for Obama, just like it wasn't for McGovern when he ran for President.

> The young people are carrying less baggage with regard to gender and racial prejudice. They have ideals and want a better relationship with the whole world. They want to be planetary team players and not dominators. They want to believe that leadership can inspire and they can build a trustworthy government.

Exactly. That's exactly why I'm voting for Obama. I'm white, but I don't care about all that other crap people are spewing about Rev. White and whatnot. I really think Obama is the man for the job.

Of course, I'm sure someone will tell us that the old people are more likely to vote. This is true. But as for me, I've never missed a vote. Not for any elected position, even the minor ones.

I'm an Independent, in my sixties. I am delighted at the new interest the younger voters are showing in the entire electoral process. They are a refreshing breath of fresh air in a tired old process that has turned cynical, yielding the worst president of my lifetime, the worst, most narrow-minded and ignorant policies, and a basic disregard for the Constitution of the United States.

Whether one supports the gent who wants us in Iraq for a long time, in pursuit of an undefined "victory" over a badly understood collection of "enemies", or the lady who has an aversion to the truth, or Sen. Obama, the active participation of our younger fellow citizens should be good news.

I know that politics is all about who can out-smart the other, but we need to get over this tit-for-tat about Rev. Wright, lapel pin, and the oh so subtle jabs at Obama.by some of the media. Let's get on with the important issues at hand so that the country can heal of its many issues.

I repeat. I know that in politics there are javs and stabs. But let us get on with the issues. The media could do better with its oh so subtle jabs at Obama.

Obama had the good sense to tap into it. The same may be true about his grass-root movement, small donors, a new way to campaign. He seems to have interesting ideas, doesn't he now?

The youth movement is critical for the US to rid itself of the extremists in the GOP who have more loyalty to China, India and their coffers than America.

i must be a young 50 year old..since me my wife 53 yo and my 88 yo father are all voting for obama

Good story. Not only are our youth important in this election; its outcome will have a direct and almost cataclysmic effect on their rest of their lives. It is THEIR world we'll be voting about in November. All of the major issues will determine quality of life for our children and grandchildren. If anyone has a real stake in this, it's the youth. I hope they turn out in huge numbers and make their voices heard.
(from a mom and grandma)

Young or old, understand the Clinton plan:

1) Do the math -- Obama gets the 08 nomination
2) Sabotage Obama's candidacy: covertly campaign for McCain
3) Let McCain in for 4 horrible years
4) 2012: reappear as savior of the Democratic Party and the nation for a landslide victory

GO BARACK ...ALL THE WAY!!!!!!

Young people support Obama, not only because he is the best candidate. mmmkay, but because Hillary reminds them of Eric Cartman with Cankles

Senator Obama's...supporters include all races, from all backgrounds (look at the crowds)...pay attention and negative press should stop trying to categorize this election. He will be a people's President...and we are positive and hopeful to be a part of making a significant change for a better America. Senator Obama has shown us he has the character, integrity, good temperment, honesty, straight-forwardness, good judgement and intelligence to lead this country. Over the past few months, reading, viewing and experiencing what some people will do for their own political gain (and not necessarily on behalf of all the people) no matter what or who gets trashed....by any means necessary. Well, (Mr. Obama knows and We The People ) know the difference and my vote will be for the man of HONOR.

Being over 60, I am glad the young people of this country have been awakened and are willing to participate in a new political process. I say 'new' because the old politics are so evident in this election, and I, and many I have seen, are so tired of the old way of doing things. It is simplistic to say that the youth of this country are its future, but it gladdens my heart to see them rise up and take part. It is why Obama has done so well. Without the vote of the youth Clinton would have won ages ago. Clinton depends on getting nominated by pandering to the constituency she is part of. That constituency is way past its prime. Clinton is way past her prime. But it a measure of the candidate that she will continue this conflict, even though the young people of this country show her clearly she is not wanted for its future, to the bitter end, and could even cause the Democrats to lose the general election. If the youth of this nation she is part of are telling her they don't want her why doesn't she get the message? Because she thinks she knows better, obviously. This country is in terrible shape and getting worse. We, the older generation, have allowed this to happen. What right do we now have to insist on our prejudices to elect Hillary Clinton? The youth of this country will inherit its future. Let them elect their leader now!

Here in Chicago I witnessed the rise and fall of Obama.

About 6 months ago, I polled my friends and I found out they were either for Obama or at least considering him. (On the fence between Obama and Hillary).

We are all white ethnic suburban guys and gals who grew up in Chicago. A lot of us coming from mixed neighborhoods. Some of us have 2 year degrees from going to local tech schools.

We know Chicago, we know the politics, we have had everyone from Al Capone to our last govenor George Ryan who is in a jail cell as I write this. Our current Govoner's name keeps coming up in the Rezko trial. I have a feeling he may be going to jail too.

When I got my first sppeding ticket 30 years ago, I got it fixed because...this is Chicago. So when I hear Obama got a sweet deal from Rezko on his house and the land next door I thought of the old saying, it's not what you know, it's who you know.

So, when my ticket got fixed, the guy who fixed it got money, the judge got money, my charge was dismissed. We all got something.

With Rezko and Obama...Obama got a reduced price on his house. Rezko didn't make money on the deal because he sold it for less then what he paid, and his wife had to take a loan to buy the extra land that they sold. Since the Rezko's didn't make a cash profit, I guess there would be a favor that would be owed.

That's what is exchanged in Chicago if not money. Favors can come in the form of jobs, permits, raises, dropping charges, extra garbage cans. It's been like this for as long as I can remember.

So when we see on the news about Rezko, Wrght, Ayers, 5 killed in Chicago in one house, govoners going to jail, gang violennce, murder, guns...It's just another news day. But when one of our own Chicago people try to break out and run for president and we know he is tied to the Chicago machine and gets caught then he is to dumb to be president. You see Mayor Daley is smart, he is part of the machine and has never been tied to anything, his father was Mayor and never tied to anything.

Obama, so young and so publicly tied in to this stuff now. He isn't smart.
He's not really from Chicago, he's an outsider, he thought he could play the big man's game, the Chicago game but, he got busted. You see, you DO have to know who to hang around with and who not to hang with or you commit politicial suicide and that's what Obama did.

So when I polled my friends recently and they said Hillary or McCain, I knew that I had witnessed the rise and fall of Obama!!

Obama is our Savior. Obama, Ayers, and Reverend Wright are Right! God D*** america! The stupid, bitter, racist "typical white people" of pennsylvania voted for clinton. How disgusting. They ignored their opportunity to redeem themselves for their racist past - slavery - and finally make Michelle proud. How sad. Please no hater responses, but typical white people, please stop buying guns you biiter small town hicks, and save it for my reparations check! Obama ''08, Repartions Check, ''09! http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/racism/010827.reparations.html

An Asian American senior citizen feminist, I deeply appreciate the younger generation of Americans' support to appeal to our better angels as a nation. THE Clinton dynastic sense of entitlement is against everything we more recent immigrants believe and hold dear. We immigrant Americans play by the rules, we work hard for all we get, we do not play race or gender cards, and we stay faithful to our families. Hillary's lies, Bill's sex affairs, Hillary's politics of personal destruction--those are the kinds of tyrannical dirty politics we sought to left behind us when we came to our beloved republic. Thank you, young Americans, for helping turn the page to a more perfect union.

Of course, the Pennsylvania primary completely undercut this stupid story -- as Obama's youth vote declined there.

So this would have been a story that, a week ago, was interesting, at least. Today, it's not even a story -- unless as yet more evidence that yet more stories built on surveys already outdated are just a waste of trees and readers' time.

At this rate, we can anticipate that the Boston Globe will have a front-page story on the day after the election that will tell us the status of the race in about September.

The youth vote has long been notorious for not showing up at the polls on election day. I'd like to see a significant sample of historical data to back up the claim here that the youth vote has been key to determining who the next president is. Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, Nixon: did any of those guys win because of the youth vote?

If we are truly to progress as a nation, we need new leadership with new ideas. I think, the youth see this and they see their hopes for the future of this country in Obama; Not just "another President" but a ~new~ President for a new time.

I'm an Independent. I'll vote for Obama in November. I won't vote for Hillary. I know, how she does or does not do business. ( I'm from NY ). I'd like to say, that McCain would be my second choice, but the fact of the matter, he scares me almost as much as she does. We really do not need another President, who is ignorant of the economy and so willing to use force to solve our problems.

Funny, my barber is older than me and I'm 68. We both voted for Obama in California's primary. And we both plan to vote for him in November. On the issue of lapel pins, I always wear one when I travel in Asia or Europe. It's a Canadian lapel pin that I bought years ago. I find that people are friendlier and that I am treated better by the people I interact with because of it. In another year or two I hope to be able to revert to wearing an American flag lapel pin. If you support Obama, you can vote for him today with your checkbook: Senator Barack Obama, Obama for America, PO Box 802978, Chicago, IL 60680-4263.

I'll vote for McCain if the thief steals the nomination. Clinton is a sleaze.

"a college student said he and his friends decided they are not going to vote in November if Clinton is the Democrat nominee. "

Hey, all you Hillary and Obama supporters,
Stop fighting like my 2 kids!
I swear I've seen better cooperation in day cares and kindergartens! Y'all sound like it's a fight between 2 extreme ends of the spectrum. Well, I think you're nuts! They’re about as far apart as 2 peas in a pod. I like Obama BUT if Hillary wins then I'm voting for her.

The LAST thing we need is another Republican in the White House.

Hillary Supporters – If Obama is the nominee and you vote for McCain then you better not call yourselves democrats!

And all you Obama supporters – If Hillary is the nominee and you don’t vote for her then you’re a pack of 2-faced idiots and low-lifes!

After 7 1/2 years of Babbling Bush we need a president who is intelligent, articulate, cooperative, reasonable, tough, a fighter, and can read his/her own newspaper in the morning. Both our candidates can fit the bill. If they would stop fighting themselves then they could BOTH be on the ticket in November (at this point I don’t really care who’s on top)! But we’re not going to get there by fighting amongst ourselves. If anything we NEED to band together and cheer BOTH on to a victory against the Republican smear machine. Just like what they’re doing right now.

Young people would like to see a change in leadership after all these years.
See my point in this video link. Please forward this to all college students.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLVHIcHPGV4

The problem with this is most of these youths have not endured the "Trials and Tribulations of Life" they have not gone the ups and downs of most of the older generations that have endured. They are as less experience as the candidate that they are electing in this election. There is a danger in this. I am not saying that it is not a good thing to vote for whom you have the right. But I ask you a question:are we as old generation feel comfortable letting kids running this GREAT COUNTRY?.

The problem with this is most of these youths have not endured the "Trials and Tribulations of Life" they have not gone the ups and downs of most of the older generations that have endured. They are as less experience as the candidate that they are electing in this election. There is a danger in this. I am not saying that it is not a good thing to vote for whom you have the right. But I ask you a question:are we as old generation feel comfortable letting kids running this GREAT COUNTRY?.

From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120907808767143137.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

"Obama Campaign's Memo to Superdelegates
April 24, 2008 7:13 p.m.

TO: Superdelegates

FR: Obama Campaign

RE: The strongest candidate to face John McCain

DA: April 24, 2008

Who's the strongest candidate to take on John McCain?

After 45 contests, Senator Obama has won more delegates, twice as many states and territories, and more of the popular vote. He's won in every part of the country, and has scored victories among every segment of electorate. He's inspired Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, building an unprecedented coalition of more than 1.4 million contributors. And when it comes to head-to-head match-ups versus John McCain, Obama performs better than Clinton in key states and shows the potential to put new states in play for Democrats up and down the ballot.

Polling data from across the country, from large states and small, reflects the advantage Senator Obama would bring in a race this fall. His ability to expand the Democratic base, and his ability to capture the crucial Independent vote, make him a stronger candidate than Senator Clinton, who would enter the fall campaign with the highest unfavorable ratings of any nominee in half a century.

Big States
• California: Obama beats McCain by 27, Clinton beats him by 23. (SurveyUSA, 2/23)

• New York: A February poll of Clinton's home state shows her beating McCain by 11, while Obama beats McCain by 10. (Quinnipiac, 3/18)

• New Jersey: Obama and Clinton both beat McCain by 5. (Farleigh Dickinson, 3/30)

• Illinois: Obama beats McCain by 29 in his home state, while Clinton wins by 9. (SurveyUSA, 2/28)

Traditional Battlegrounds
• Iowa: Obama up 7, Clinton down 6. (SurveyUSA, 4/17),
Among Independents: Obama up 9, Clinton down 31. (Rasmussen, 3/31)

• North Carolina: Clinton trails McCain by 11, Obama ties him. (Rasmussen, 4/10)
Among Independents: Obama up 8, Clinton down 16. (Rasmussen, 4/10)

• Oregon: Obama up 9, Clinton up only 1 (SurveyUSA, 4/17) A march poll showed Obama up 6 and Clinton down 6 (Rasmussen, 3/26)
Among Independents: Obama up 11, Clinton up 4. (Rasmussen, 3/26)

• Wisconsin: Obama up 5 while Clinton ties. (SurveyUSA, 4/17) A March poll showed Obama up 4 and Clinton down 4. (WPR, 3/26)
Among Independents: Obama up 17, Clinton up 2. (Rasmussen, 3/26)

• Michigan: Obama trailing by 1, Clinton trailing by 3. (Rasmussen, 3/25) A February poll showed Obama up 8 and Clinton tied. (Rasmussen, 2/17)

• New Mexico: Obama up by 3, Clinton down by 3. (Rasmussen, 4/8)
Among Independents: Obama up 8, Clinton down 5. (Rasmussen, 4/8)

• Nevada: Obama leads by 4, Clinton leads by 1. (Rasmussen 3/19)

• Minnesota: Obama up 14, Clinton up 5. (Rasmussen, 4/22)
Among Independents: Obama up 9, Clinton down 14. (Rasmussen 3/19)

• Pennsylvania: Clinton up 9, Obama up 8 (Rasmussen, 4/9)
Among Independents: Obama down 1, Clinton down 19. (Rasmussen, 4/9)

Making new states competitive
• Colorado: Obama up 3, Clinton down 14. (Rasmussen, 4/19) A February poll showed up Obama up 9 and Clinton down 6. (SurveyUSA, 2/28)
Among Independents: Obama up 9, Clinton down 13. (Rasmussen, 3/17)

• North Dakota: Obama up 4, Clinton down 19. (SurveyUSA, 2/28)
Among Independents: Obama up 9, Clinton down 29. (Survey USA, 2/28)

• Virginia: Obama down 8, Clinton down 16. (SurveyUSA, 4/17)
Among Independents: Obama up 10, Clinton down 8. (SurveyUSA, 3/16)

• Montana: Obama down 5, Clinton down 18 (Rasmussen, 4/6)
Obama down 2, Clinton down 12 (Rasmussen, 4/6)

• Texas: Obama down only 1, Clinton down 7 (SurveyUSA, 2/28)"

The young vote is always a big hype because the last 2 elections half of this idiots did not vote. Is always the trendy thing to do example : rock the vote! Vote or die etc.. they can make all the noise they want, but until they really go out and vote for who ever they want then all these surveys are nothing but useless waste of print.

Call me cynical, but I think the "civic re-awakening" of young people has less to do with what's happening within the Democratic Party as it has to do with the BUSH ADMINISTRATION. Namely, so much damage has been done in the last 8 years that normally apathetic people have been awakened that their future is at stake.

There is enough evidence here that Obama is not the person to be the first black man to be president of the USA.

Imagine a black man running that has been a christian all his life, a real contributor to society as a whole, a wife with a clean unbiased stance on America. No connections to Illinois corrupt politics. No questionable real estate dealings. No ties to terrorists. A member of an upstanding church that is truly there for all races.

Show me that man and depending on where he stands on the issues, I'll consider him...given Obamas questionable background, he can tell me until he is blue in the face where he stands on the issues and I will not vote for him.

Why cannot a convicted felon run for office...it's their background. While Obama is not a convicted felon..I have to consider his background.

While Hillary is not a convicted felon..I have to consider her background, and I do.

Her background includes ideology that has helped millions of Americans of all races.

I'll take my chances on Hillary, I won't take a chance on Obama.

Why does the media ignore the obvious racism involved in the Democratic nomination process. Is Hillary Clinton being a racist for not competing in those southern states with large Black populations? Or is Sen. Barack Obama riding to the nomination on a tide or Black Racism, or both? Why do we not see similar divisions in the black populations as we see in other populations when the black votes are considered during the Democratic primaries? With over 90% of balck males voting for Obama in Pennsylvania, isn't Obama being carried to the Democratic nomination on a tide of black racism?