DrunkenMic
25+ Posts
I was going to reply with this in the "age card" post but felt that it warranted it's own discussion.
My question is that are so many youths active in this electoral process because of Obama or is a large measure of Obama's success attributable to the number of youths active in this electoral process?
Before you jump all over for me for this one, think about it for a moment. There is a mountain of literature about the "Millenial" generation - those born between 1980-2000. One of the data points I've seen time and again is how this youth is more service-minded and civic-oriented than prior generations at their age. Significantly so. Some attribute that as their "rebellion" against the me-first attitude of boomers and Gen X. I don't care if you agree with that part, but the fact is that kids volunteer and are active in their communities more than at any time.
This is the first election cycle where a majority of this generation are at voting age. Many attribute Obama's remarkable success at caucuses to the energy of his younger supporters. How much of his success can we chalk up to his being the candidate that was easiest for them to support? That there was a large amount of this demographic eager to get involved in the political process and he was the candidate they identified with and found most appealing?
My question is that are so many youths active in this electoral process because of Obama or is a large measure of Obama's success attributable to the number of youths active in this electoral process?
Before you jump all over for me for this one, think about it for a moment. There is a mountain of literature about the "Millenial" generation - those born between 1980-2000. One of the data points I've seen time and again is how this youth is more service-minded and civic-oriented than prior generations at their age. Significantly so. Some attribute that as their "rebellion" against the me-first attitude of boomers and Gen X. I don't care if you agree with that part, but the fact is that kids volunteer and are active in their communities more than at any time.
This is the first election cycle where a majority of this generation are at voting age. Many attribute Obama's remarkable success at caucuses to the energy of his younger supporters. How much of his success can we chalk up to his being the candidate that was easiest for them to support? That there was a large amount of this demographic eager to get involved in the political process and he was the candidate they identified with and found most appealing?
