Youth vote may have been key in Obama's win

[nadinbrzezinski]

Source: MSNBC

Early reports are indicating that the youngest members of the country's electorate voted Tuesday in higher numbers than in the last presidential election — and they voted more Democratic. Youth turnout appears to be exceeding 2004 levels, which was itself a year with a big surge in voters ages 18 to 29.

“We expected record turnout, and that is what we’re seeing right now,” says Heather Smith, a spokeswoman for Rock the Vote, an organization that works to encourage young people to register and vote in every election.

What’s more, young voters may prove to have been the key to Barack Obama's victory. Young voters preferred Obama over John McCain by 68 percent to 30 percent — the highest share of the youth vote obtained by any candidate since exit polls began reporting results by age in 1976, according to CIRCLE, a non-partisan organization that promotes research on the political engagement of Americans between ages 15 and 25.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27525497 /

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Ironic I found the link at freep, while trying to see if these guys are actually getting it.

But here is the actual evidence of what we saw anecdotally

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

1. So...

does that mean you'll give me my Frisbee back?

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. After I kick you out of my lawn of course... I mean

what do you think that cane is for?

[poppysgal]

3. it was

thank heaven

[politicat]

4. It makes sense -- Obama's early GenX and McCain's Silent.

The first half of Gen Y (i.e. "The Youth Vote" born 1980 to 1990) vaguely remember the end of the Cold War and will relate to a Gen X individual, be inspired and motivated far better than by than a Silent Generation individual.

The peer culture of a birth cohort, in my opinion, shows most strongly in one who wishes to exemplify that culture -- by being a demonstrable leader, et cetera. (This makes sense because one who would be looked upon as a leader would be one who does display the attitudes of the peers to their best advantage, which is why birth cohorts actually ARE valid groupings...)

A Gen Y has NOTHING in common with a Silent Generation (Called by William Manchester "withdrawn, cautious, unimaginative, indifferent, unadventurous and silent." ) Y and X do get along, in an older sibling to younger sibling sort of way.

I'd be interested to know where the boomers voted (Boomers generally being Y's parents...)

[CountDmoney]

5. ALL the folks in the streets in DC tonight were young!

In front on the white house, driving up and down 14th st. It was amazing.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. K&R