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Can the GOP capture the youth vote?
The Atlantic's Ross Douthat has an interesting summary of current discussion on the overwhelming youth voter turnout for Democrats in the 2008 presidential election (initial estimates have youth voting Dem 66-32.)
But is this a lasting majority or does it more simply reflect support for a particularly exceptional candidate? If it is the latter, such a support is by nature temporary. The question is can the Democratic Party hold on this large voting bloc or can the GOP appeal their hopes and values?
The larger question is does it matter if the youth vote cannot be counted on to show up on election day? Democrat or Republicans are right to focus on the needs of those voting blocs that will keep them in office. This might be a cold calculation but it's simple math: Candidates need votes to win.
James Carville once said something to the effect of "any candidate who counts on the youth
vote is going to lose."
If Douthat is correct that young voters are "more liberal on the environment, on immigration, government regulation of business" but that they differ from Dems on privatizing Social Security and limiting abortion, then the GOP certainly has a few issues with which to get a foothold.
But is this a lasting majority or does it more simply reflect support for a particularly exceptional candidate? If it is the latter, such a support is by nature temporary. The question is can the Democratic Party hold on this large voting bloc or can the GOP appeal their hopes and values?
The larger question is does it matter if the youth vote cannot be counted on to show up on election day? Democrat or Republicans are right to focus on the needs of those voting blocs that will keep them in office. This might be a cold calculation but it's simple math: Candidates need votes to win.
James Carville once said something to the effect of "any candidate who counts on the youth
vote is going to lose."
If Douthat is correct that young voters are "more liberal on the environment, on immigration, government regulation of business" but that they differ from Dems on privatizing Social Security and limiting abortion, then the GOP certainly has a few issues with which to get a foothold.
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