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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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1 posted on 04/21/2012 4:17:25 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

The job situation for them stinks plus maybe they are forced to live at home due to this. Leaving them and their parents unhappy. Plus maybe they got a useless degree and lots of debt


2 posted on 04/21/2012 4:25:07 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: neverdem

3 posted on 04/21/2012 4:27:25 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: neverdem

We’re white punks on Hope
Mom & Dad moved to Hollywood
Hang myself when I get enough rope
Can’t clean up, though I know I should


4 posted on 04/21/2012 4:31:17 PM PDT by HerrBlucher
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To: neverdem

Maybe millenials suspect Obam is a fascist. Maybe they could read.

Good read:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html


5 posted on 04/21/2012 4:39:53 PM PDT by Candor7 (Obama fascist info....http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html)
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To: dennisw

Sitting in their underwear in mom & dad’s basement, drinking Near Beer and watching porn is so traumatic for them. They’re just wasting those valuable and timely african history or womyn’s studies degrees, by the thousands. Oh, woe is them.


6 posted on 04/21/2012 5:05:33 PM PDT by Carriage Hill (I'd vote for a "orange juice can", before 0bummer&HisRegimeFromHell, gets another 4yrs. Can-> later.)
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To: neverdem
Politico recently discussed the “tepid” support for Obama on college campuses, where few students are still interested in issues like the Iraq War

Obama will start talking more about "unfair" college loans, and will imply that he will (if re-elected) erase everyone's college loan debt.

7 posted on 04/21/2012 5:12:17 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: neverdem

Related:

Millennials Turn Rightward?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2870953/posts

Will Millennials Vote for Barack Obama Again in November 2012?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2860563/posts


8 posted on 04/21/2012 5:13:24 PM PDT by upchuck (Need is not an acceptable lifestyle choice; dependent is not a career. ~ Dr. Tim Nerenz)
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To: neverdem

Gen Twit can’t stop twitting to vote!


9 posted on 04/21/2012 5:14:14 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Candor7

Thanks for the link.


10 posted on 04/21/2012 6:13:56 PM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi minh oi)
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To: upchuck

Thanks for the links.


11 posted on 04/21/2012 6:24:45 PM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi minh oi)
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To: neverdem

2008 Election:

Obama 70% - Unmarried women

Obama 56% - Overall women
Obama 49% - Men


12 posted on 04/21/2012 7:01:09 PM PDT by donna (Mitt? NEVER!)
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To: neverdem

None of obamas base groups support him At 2008 levels.

I don’t see how anyone can construct a win for him.


13 posted on 04/21/2012 7:05:53 PM PDT by lonestar67 (I remember when unemployment was 4.7 percent)
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To: BenLurkin

Thanks for posting that BenLurkin. Mrs. RQSR, and myself got one “H” of a laugh out of the small print, and that kids expression. Too funny.


14 posted on 04/21/2012 7:12:28 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: neverdem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp-ot_vChlU

mmm mmm mmm Barack Hussein Obama mmm mmm mmm


15 posted on 04/21/2012 7:22:56 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
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To: All

Millennials are the new racists..


16 posted on 04/21/2012 7:30:12 PM PDT by newnhdad (Where will you be during the Election Riots of 2012/2013?)
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All contributions are for the Current Quarter Expenses.


17 posted on 04/21/2012 7:34:09 PM PDT by RedMDer (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=93)
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To: donna
Are Poll Sampling Complaints Legit?

Of course, Republicans won 60 percent of the white vote in 2010, probably the highest share of that vote for Congress won by either party since 1822 (assuming an almost entirely white electorate pre-1952). More importantly for our purposes, whites made up 78 percent of the electorate in that year, in excess of Abramowitz’s 76 percent ceiling...

The Generic Ballot Bomb

Undecided Lean to Insurgent

This isn't the first story about Millennials bailing on Obama either.

18 posted on 04/21/2012 7:39:02 PM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi minh oi)
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To: lonestar67; potlatch

Third party. Christie Todd Whitman’s group. 0 could win with less than 40% of the vote.


19 posted on 04/21/2012 8:48:13 PM PDT by ntnychik
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To: Red_Devil 232

All the young people I know LOVE Ron Paul.


20 posted on 04/21/2012 8:49:38 PM PDT by dandiegirl
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