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Walter Russell Mead: Millennials Turning Away from Obama
The American Interest ^ | April 20, 2012 | Walter Russell Mead

Posted on 04/21/2012 4:17:21 PM PDT by neverdem

One of the biggest political stories of 2008 was the rise of the Millennials as an electoral force. As “Obamamania” swept the nation, college students across the country abandoned their usual political apathy and volunteered for the Obama campaign in droves, canvassing, phone banking and harnessing the power of social media. This youth enthusiasm paid dividends for the Obama campaign, and was reflected in the vote totals: Obama beat McCain among 18-24 year-olds by a whopping 34 percent, winning 66 percent of the vote.

That excitement is gone. A new Public Religion Research poll shows that while Obama still leads in the 18 to 24 age group, his lead has fallen dramatically to 7 percent. And those who still support him are less enthusiastic; Politico recently discussed the “tepid” support for Obama on college campuses, where few students are still interested in issues like the Iraq War, which dominated the discussion in 2008. The army of student volunteers that propelled Obama in 2008 is unlikely to materialize this time around.

The Obama camp may be alarmed by these results, but it shouldn’t be surprised. This is an Administration that has been focused on protecting the status quo. Here, as in Europe, the reigning blue system taxes and marginalizes the young to support the privileges of the established. As the economic downturn grinds on, issues like the Iraq War have been replaced with concerns about the economy. Obama’s policies have done little to help Millennials navigate the new economic conditions, and they are beginning to notice.

Via Meadia would love to see genuine competition for the youth vote. America is failing the rising generation, and it would be good to see both Republicans and Democrats thinking hard about how to make this a more future-oriented, pro-opportunity country. Unfortunately, we’ve heard very little talk along these lines in this election so far. This is a shame. Today’s youth should be demanding more from their politicians.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: millennials; obama
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To: Cementjungle

Hopefully they have figured out that what he says and what he does never quite match up.


21 posted on 04/21/2012 8:51:00 PM PDT by dandiegirl
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To: dandiegirl

That’s the great thing about college-age voters. There’s a new batch of them to fool every four years.


22 posted on 04/21/2012 9:10:56 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: neverdem

And just wait ‘til the kids catch on to the fact that the whole reason for the hated mandate in Obamacare is to make them join up for insurance that they otherwise probably wouldn’t require or want so their premiums, which won’t be needed to pay for medical care for them, can go instead to cover care for older and more medically at risk enrollees -


23 posted on 04/21/2012 9:28:58 PM PDT by Intolerant in NJ
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To: donna

Women Vote for Men They Like

Do women vote for men they like?
Do men vote for who the women like?
If “like” is what determines political victory,
Then an incompetent orator is all one needs to be.

The 70 % voted through their mascara,
And brought about hopey change-a
With nary a care-a.

Will History repeat, I ask you now,
Or will the can be kicked down the road,
By a “like-able” RINO, somehow?

Who will stand and deliver,
And slash the Welfare State?
Will he be “liked” instead of GREAT?

Will 2012 by a transition vote,
Setting us up for a for financial disaster?

Maybe it is time to remove the mascara,
And look to the grandchildren far in the future?
Will they also put on the mascara,
And vote for THEIR incompetent orator?


24 posted on 04/21/2012 9:33:36 PM PDT by Graewoulf ((Dictator Baby-Doc Barack's obama"care" violates Sherman Anti-Trust Law, AND U.S. Constitution.))
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To: Graewoulf

LOL, excellent!

But, it got me thinking - perhaps “Women Only Vote for Men...Who Promise Them Money”!


25 posted on 04/21/2012 9:54:47 PM PDT by donna (Mitt? NEVER!)
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To: donna

This idea came from watching, (this week), Diane Sawyer news anchoring the 6 o’clock news, and she said, “In the past we usually vote for people we like.”

Then I saw your 70% stat. on support by single women, and I posed the question in short-hand form, which for me is my feeble attempt at poetry.

Can we escape the cycle?
Are we doomed to repeat?
Can REASON vanquish Oratory?
Must men accept mascara defeat?

Money to a groupie,
Rates lower than the words,
Lower than the flair
That thrills her ‘neath her curls - - - .

Men are the smaller number.
We trust no politician.
We will follow the leader
Into the gates of Hell,
But only if he has that something
That says “LET”S GIVE ‘EM HELL!”


26 posted on 04/21/2012 10:20:54 PM PDT by Graewoulf ((Dictator Baby-Doc Barack's obama"care" violates Sherman Anti-Trust Law, AND U.S. Constitution.))
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To: Graewoulf

You are good at this.

mascara defeat - genius!


27 posted on 04/22/2012 12:46:14 AM PDT by donna (Mitt? NEVER!)
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To: dandiegirl
All the young people I know LOVE Ron Paul.

And yet the GOP won't even give that demographic the time of day.

It is as if the GOP-e is trying to tell the public what they will get instead of asking what they want.

Reminds me of Microsoft. You get it our way.

28 posted on 04/22/2012 2:10:32 PM PDT by superloser
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks neverdem.


29 posted on 04/22/2012 7:53:38 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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