Democrat Youth Support Dwindling

[spiritual_gunfighter]

WASHINGTON — Whither the youth vote? A year after backing Barack Obama by an overwhelming 2-to-1 ratio, young adults are quickly cooling toward Democrats amid dissatisfaction over the lack of change in Washington and an escalating war in Afghanistan.

A study by the Pew Research Center, being released Wednesday, highlights the eroding support from 18-to-29 year olds whose strong turnout in November 2008 was touted by some demographers as the start of a new Democratic movement.

The findings are significant because they offer further proof that the diverse coalition of voters Obama cobbled together in 2008 – including high numbers of first-timers, minorities and youths – are not Democratic Party voters who can necessarily be counted on.

While young adults remain decidedly more liberal, the survey found the Democratic advantage among 18-to-29 year olds has substantially narrowed – from a record 62 percent identifying as Democrat vs. 30 percent for the GOP in 2008, down to 54 percent vs. 40 percent last December. It was the largest percentage point jump in those who identified or leaned Republican among all the voting age groups.

Young adults' voting enthusiasm also crumbled.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/24/democrat-youth-support-dw_n_474442.html

[dkf]

1. Duh.

Hell everyone's support is waning except a few select duers.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

3. and they will be the ones sticking their fingers in there ears

and screaming while our party is decimated by Republican policies.

[Craftsman]

5. My nephew is 17 and was a huge Obama supporter

not anymore. He is not happy with the bank bailouts and he has been trying to get a part time job since September, he was only able to get 6 weeks of seasonal help during Christmas. The young have a much higher percentage of unemployment then others. The economy stupid is a 2 edged sword, it cna cut both ways.

[Deep13]

2. Democrats who act like Republicans are not popular among Democrats. nt

[proudohioan]

4. A truly sad thing.

I watched my 20 year old daughter and her friends get thoroughly involved in the whole 2008 election/voting process; they were so enthusiastic and excited! They volunteered their time and energy. There was so much hope and optimism!

All that has been replaced by increasing cynicism and negativity. Their feelings of betrayal will probably be felt for years to come. The feeling that their votes really don't matter after all. It's sad to watch the transformation.

[RainDog]

6. Because Obama has used and abused democratic voters

and the actions of the current democratic party are serving to alienate AN ENTIRE GENERATION from the political process by governing like a republican.

we didn't vote for that.

both those young adults and their parents are sick of this DLC shit.

[madrchsod]

7. i`m 63 and extremely disappointed in obama

[Goldstein1984]

8. Support for both parties is dwindling

The two-party system doesn't represent the people anymore.

In Alaska, only about 40% of registered voters belong to the Democratic or Republican parties. About 53% are nonpartisan or undeclared. One of the best democrats in the Senate is an Independent from Vermont. The White House Chief of Staff is arrogant enough to dismiss progressives, relying on the lesser-of-two-evils voting scenario to deliver them to the Democratic Party during elections.

The scary part for the party faithful? They can't rely on the party loyalty anymore. An increasing number of voters are putting democratic principles above the Democratic Party. Those elected actually have to produce something.

Worst parts of the Bush/Cheney Administration are still with us: Illegal wars and war crimes; erosion of constitutional protections; arrogant political appointees; accommodations to Wall Street...

I voted for change. Where is it?

[Doctor_J]

9. There is quite literally no reason for me to even vote this time

It's going to be a bloodbath of 1994 proportions, and the president and his "advisors", and the appeasers in Congress, are to blame.