GOP tone-deaf to generation that will shape politics

AJC ^ | 5/14/09 | Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais

[anniegetyourgun]

If the Republican Party thinks it has problems now, just wait. The party’s poor performance among young voters in the 2008 election raises questions about the long-term competitiveness of the GOP.

The “millennials” — the generation of Americans born between 1982 and 2003 — now identify as Democrats by a ratio of 2-to-1. They are the first in four generations to contain more self-perceived liberals than conservatives.

[Unam Sanctam]

So what? Even if true, the Republican Party should stick to conservative principles and be a voice for them. If they have value, they will find an audience. Moreover, as youngsters grow older and start to have families, some may grow out of liberalism.

[attiladhun2]

I was a Democrat when I was in my early 20s, too. When I started working for a living, and saw how much the government took out of my paycheck, and saw how many leeches there were out there who didn’t work, I became a conservative independent. Only later did I become a Republican.

[TypeZoNegative]

Baby boomers and Gen X were also liberal too. Guess where the core of the GOP lies. ;)

[38special]

The irony is their generation(s)are gettign screwed the worst.

[combat_boots]

Election results comparison
State	Year = 2008			Year = 2004		Electoral Votes
Florida						27
	Obama	4,282,074		Kerry	3,583,544
	McCain	4,045,624		Bush	3,964,522
		236,450			380,978
Ohio						20
	Obama	2,933,388		Kerry	2,741,165
	McCain	2,674,491		Bush	2,859,764
		258,897			118,599
North Carolina						15
	Obama	2,142,651		Kerry	1,525,849
	McCain	2,128,474		Bush	1,961,166
		14,177			435,317
New Mexico						5
	Obama	472,422		Kerry	370,942
	McCain	346,832		Bush	376,930
		125,590			5,988
Colorado						9
	Obama	1,288,576		Kerry	1,101,255
	McCain	1,073,589		Bush	1,001,732
		214,987			99,523
Pennsylvania						21
	Obama	3,276,363		Kerry	2,938,095
	McCain	2,655,885		Bush	2,793,847
		620,478			144,248
Iowa						7
	Obama	828,940		Kerry	741,898
	McCain	682,379		Bush	751,957
		146,561			10,059
Nevada						5
	Obama	533,736		Kerry	397,190
	McCain	412,827		Bush	418,690
		120,909			21,500
Indiana						11
	Obama	1,374,039		Kerry	969,011
	McCain	1,345,648		Bush	1,479,438
		28,391			510,427
Virginia						13
	Obama	1,959,532		Kerry	1,454,742
	McCain	1,725,005		Bush	1,716,959
		234,527			262,217
					TOTAL	106

[combat_boots]

I forgot to mention that the figure directly under the totals are differences in the vote totals.

[bombthrower]

Why is it that so many in the media are soooo concerned about the Republican Party these days. Is it that they are really worried that the Radicals have stolen the Dems and that any steadying influence in the “center” would be welcome. For a group, the media, that so hates the Pubbies I just find it curious that they want to give advice.
Would the Steelers coach want to give advice to the Cardinals coach in this years’ Super Bowl. I doubt it.
Another thought. These milennials may start to change their minds in the next few years when they see what the programs the Dems pass soon are going to cost them. The Boomers will be retired and the millennials will be the ones working to support the society. It won’t be pretty, especially for a generation used to getting whatever they want. “What do you mean I have to work and only get to keep 30 cents of every dollar I earn?”

[schu]

Fiscal conservatism will sell to the 28 year old who sees what is going on.

The jump to social conservative ideas will take a bit longer. They have not yet made the connection between social liberalism and the cultural decay (40% illegitimacy, drugs, disintegration of the family) that ends up driving the high cost of government and hence taxes.

But they will someday.

So for now sell the punitive taxes they will be paying, show that you are committed to shrinking the size of government and reducing taxes and they will vote you in.

schu

[hinckley buzzard]

Many of the young'ns swept away by Obamania are now taking their time and paying attention to what is happening. They are beginning to realize that "Hope and Change" is not a TV "reality show," and it's they who will have to make good on all those trillions Obama is pissing down the rat-hole. As they watch their parents and siblings and finally friends and themselves live the opening act of this nightmare, the balmy daze of 2008 will wither and die.

[darkangel82]

I was born in 1982 and I was never a liberal, although I was pretty close until I wised up.

[Eric Blair 2084]

"If you are not a liberal at 18, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative by age 40, you have no brain." --Don't know who said it but whoever it was is a genius

These young idealistic poor bastard generation have no idea what they are getting themselves into.

Keep paying your FICA and FUTA taxes junior if you are lucky enough to get a job so that my parents and your elders can collect SS checks.

You won't see dime one back for the hundreds of thousands you spent. Dumbasses. Go back to school junior, you might learn something.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"If you are not a liberal at 18, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative by age 40, you have no brain." --Don't know who said it but whoever it was is a genius"

Winston Churchill. And fortunately for me, I was VERY precocious, becoming one at 12.

[Strategerist]

The jump to social conservative ideas will take a bit longer.

If social conservatism is defined as it is on FR, don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen; they'll never jump.

Particularly issues like gay marriage.

[Impy]

Guess I’m heartless. Unless they mean the original meaning of liberal, now called “classical liberal” rather than the current American usage “socialist”.

I was born in 1983, I prefer the term Generation Y.

“The “millennials” — the generation of Americans born between 1982 and 2003 — now identify as Democrats by a ratio of 2-to-1. They are the first in four generations to contain more self-perceived liberals than conservatives.

And a recent Daily Kos tracking poll should send shudders down the spine of any Republican who understands how powerful a voting bloc this generation could become over the next decade.

Only 9 percent of millennials polled expressed a favorable opinion of the Republican Party. Only 7 percent were positive about the GOP’s congressional leaders. By contrast, 65 percent of millennials had a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, and a majority also approved of congressional Democrats.”

Those #s look inflated (Daily Kos lol) but anything close to that is not good.

CF I think you posited once that we’ll win in the long term.

[Impy]

Ping to #34

[fieldmarshaldj]

That poll is bull$hit. And I’m sure it was real cute seeing them ask a question of a 5-year old in that “millenials” poll about their opinion of the Republican party. Besides, a large percent of REPUBLICANS of all ages don’t have a positive opinion of their own party.

[Impy]

"That poll is bull$hit. And I’m sure it was real cute seeing them ask a question of a 5-year old in that “millenials” poll about their opinion of the Republican party."

Dems could buy those votes easy. Ice cream would do the trick. If only. That reminds me of the Green Party leader in Canada who said if children could vote she'd have won in a landslide. LMAO.

"Besides, a large percent of REPUBLICANS of all ages don’t have a positive opinion of their own party."

Yes, I could hardly say I do if by "party" one means it's most recent "leaders" and their "stupid party" politics and dem-lite policies.

But rat approval #s anything close to that are horrendous. I'd to need see a more reliable poll than Daily Kos though.

I have the feeling amongst the young, they may like Obama but the rat party itself would be less popular and Pelosi and Reid I'm certain hardly more liked by them (those few than even know who they are I mean) than are our Congressional leaders. Congress' approval is consistently in the toilet.

[anniegetyourgun]

Here on FR we frequently poo-poo information (regardless of its source) that we don't want to acknowledge. We do that at our peril.

The reality is that a majority of Americans are deluded.

[Little Ray]

Young voters are, mostly, lazy and ignorant voters. They want everybody to “have enough,” “ to get along,” “to save the world,” “have free medical care,” etc. Daddy and Mommy have been paying the bills so long that they really DO think that money grows on trees.

Eventually, they have the real nature of the world shoved down their throats. After that, if they are still voting like Democrats, its because they're stupid or evil.

Besides, if this advice was worth anything, why would she be sharing it with Republicans?

[MortMan]

I was born in 1983, I prefer the term Generation Y.

I graduated high school in 1984. I now feel old! ;-P