Posted on 01/04/2008 3:51:25 PM PST by unspun
Iowa Caucus Results Show that 'Spin' is Out, Authenticity is In, as Presidential Candidates Must Match the Generational Characteristics of the Youth Vote
NEW YORK, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The victories of Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama with a good showing for John McCain in Iowa demonstrate that spin is out and authenticity is in, as Presidential candidates address the most important voting block in the 2008 race: Generations X and Y.
"Some have overlooked what Iowans told us with certainty last night - a critical factor in this election is not race, religion, or gender, but speaking the language of Generation X, the language of authenticity and with the tone of optimism and hope of Generation Y," said Ann A. Fishman (www.annfishman.com), President of New Orleans-based Generational-Targeted Marketing Corp. and a commentator on generational trends in politics and culture.
She continued, "Generation X, born between 1961 and 1981, are a huge block of voters in this year's election, and a major key to victory. Although they are proud to be the first generation to consider themselves both color-blind and gender-neutral, they will not elect a President for those reasons alone, nor on the basis of party affiliation. Being practical-minded and averse to being 'sold' on spin or empty promises, they are looking for candidates who address them with authenticity and passion, and not as mere partisans - so far, Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama have connected with them on this level."
"GENERATION Y, born between 1982 and 2000 are the second key to the road to the White House. While Huckabee, Obama and McCain remained true to themselves, a trait necessary for the new-style politics of Gen X, the idealism and hope Obama and Huckabee displayed, perfectly match the optimism and civic-mindedness of Generation Y."
As exit and entrance polling made clear, Obama and Huckabee garnered a disproportionate share of Gen X voters and GEN Y voters in Iowa, to supplement the strength of the former among women, and the latter among Evangelical Christians.*
Based on Fishman's research into the habits and values of the working generations - Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y -, each generation brings a distinctive set of traits, habits and characteristics. These are important as keys to understanding political dynamics and voting patterns in elections.
Fishman concluded, "Understanding the changeover, now underway in American society, from the values of Baby Boomers to those of Generation X and generation Y is a key to understanding what moves contemporary voters and their attitudes. Candidates would do well to heed the call - as it seems, Huckabee and Obama have begun to do."
About Generations X, Y and the Baby Boomers Generation Xers are "latch-key kids," children of Baby Boomers whose divorce rates were high. Xers had to fend for themselves from an early age and are a generation of practical "survivors" whose attitudes are reflected in their politics, values and consumer preferences.
Baby Boomers are the 79 million Americans who were born between 1943 and 1960. Among other trends, they presided over the relaxation of societal standards in a variety of areas, including the liberalization of rules governing the traditional family, loosening strictures on corporate responsibility and the popularization of the drug culture.
Generation Y feels empowered. This generation was raised with the societal supports necessary for young children - strong families, strong religious upbringing and strong government programs for the disadvantaged. This is a generation that wants a voice in its future.
*"Polls of Iowa voters as they entered the caucuses showed that Obama outpolled Clinton among women, and benefited from a surge in first-time caucus-goers and young voters . . . In their victory speeches, Obama and Huckabee struck similar cords and distinguished themselves from their respective fields portraying themselves as unifiers and change agents who didn't view the world in simply Republican and Democratic hues."*
- Associated Press story, January 4, 2008 About Ann Fishman and Generational Targeted-Marketing More information on Ann Fishman's generational expertise can be found at www.annfishman.com/ . Fishman's company, Generational-Targeted Marketing Corp. (GTM), is a specialized marketing firm providing insight into consumer preferences, buying habits and trends affecting the American consumer. As GTM's president, Fishman has served as a consultant to numerous corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations on generational issues and also serves as a member of the Adjunct Faculty at New York University. For further information on GTM, call 1-504-813-7890.
Contact: Michael Frenkel, MFC PR (212) 808-6556/michael@mfcpr.com
SOURCE Ann Fishman and Generational Targeted-Marketing
Michael Frenkel of MFC PR, +1-212-808-6556, or michael@mfcpr.com, for Ann Fishman and Generational Targeted-Marketing
If you’re a late X’er, how do you remember Carter’s election campaign?
Harkin has been a Senator from Iowa for decades. When he was running it would have been foolish for anyone from outside the state to invest in Iowa.
You truly were abused as a child.
Hello, Huck! ;-`
Yeah, always good to hear insights from those of Generation BS.
I think you have it half right. Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have strong liberal ends -- but they also have their strong conservative ends -- especially social conservatives.
OUCH! Better put some ice on that Huck, that one is going to leave a mark!
Welcome to the politics of feelings. All rational thought must be checked at the door. Dogma uber alles!
What you see with Gen X and Y, and I am a member of X, is the voting power of those who have always seen the paternal government and know no difference. Have a problem? Government will solve it. Stupidity? Uncle Sam will fix it for you. Not a millionaire? How unfair. Let’s make everything even for everyone. That’s your government’s job.
I’d agree. Born in 81 and don’t consider myself to be part of either generation. I’d group things more along the lines of 1960-1975, 1976-1985, 1985-2000, 2000->
But then we’d run out of alphabet letters.
And what Republican candidate can gain the attention of people such as this and sensitively teach them about America's true, fundamental (Christ-affected) principles?
OK, you're not inclined to answer, so I will: Mike Huckabee.
Mike Huckabee is their darling because he preaches government as the solution. Uncle Sam as sugar daddy.
Looks like you should listen to him, too.
Perhaps a little overdramatic, but still not totally untrue. Kids of single or divorced or separated parents had to come home to an empty house and take care of themselves until the parent got home -- possibly late, because the parent needed to work the extra hours for a little extra pay.
There's a little extra responsibility put on the child other than "don't burn the house down" (and of course "Don't lose the key!")
Keep in mind also that boomer families tend to be smaller than in years past. The latchkey kids might be one of 2 or 3 instead of the youngest of seven (that's me, but my Mom was home until I was in high school).
Government is not the solution. Once it hands you a check it’s controlling your life.
Not interested.
I remember when he ran for re-election against Reagan and got his tuckus kicked.
I think that's a trait common to all generations, but in hope, they grow out of it. ;-`
It is (or soon will be) perfectly simple for a candidate to wrap up the Gen-X vote: promise to slash Social Security.
"Authentic" like a three dollar bill.
Excuse me?
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