[Sooth2222]

many and perhaps most voters in 2008 will have been born after 1980.

That would make most 2008 voters, ummmmm, age 28 or younger. Most? No. Many? Maybe 10%. Is Maureen drinking waaaaaay too heavily again?

[shrinkermd]

Yes, you are right. Here are my figures: ages 5-19, 20%, 20-44, 35%, 45-64, 24%, over 65 12%. Since 18 year olds can vote I add 5% + 35% or 40% of the electorate has been born after 1964. It is unlikely those born exactly on 1964 would have personal experience of JFK assassination, Viet Nam or even the high point of the Cold War.

If I had made the benchmark 1964 rather than 1980, I would have looked better. I guessed and was wrong, but the point still stands--a significant, at least a third and maybe 40%, will have limited or no experience with events up to 1980. At best they would have been 16 in 1980 and then this figure trails off to zero for those 28 years old (at the time of the 2008) election.

We have a vastly different electorate now and anyone who assumes we can re-fight past battles is going to be disappointed.

You were right! Thanks for the post. I got my figures: HERE.