Activism by young women may boost Democrats in November polls

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Though the pictures of Sunday's abortion-rights march in Washington focused on the size of the crowd, the truer story of its political impact could be measured by the age of the demonstrators.

More college-age women showed up than usually attend abortion-rights rallies, which tend to be dominated by older women. If that translates to increased voting in November by young women - a group that usually doesn't vote in high numbers - it could help Democrats in a close election.

~snip~

In the short term, the march could serve as a caution to Congress, said one senior Republican senator, who spoke on condition that he not be identified lest he draw criticism from his peers: "That was a very impressive showing by any fair standard. I think it will discourage any more votes this year on abortion."

~snip~
The most intriguing aspect of Sunday's march that could signal a noteworthy change was the turnout of women in their late teens and 20s. Americans aged 18 to 29 vote less than any other age group, according to polling-place exit surveys. But young women favor abortion rights by 54 to 39 percent, according to Gallup - the biggest margin of any age group - and they could vote Democratic if persuaded to vote at all.

~snip~

More:http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/8525449.htm?ERIGHTS=1558687434045725407mercurynews::[e-mail]&KRD_RM=5ltnlqquntttsntnllllllllmo|

[Dover]

1. Hurray for the new generation of strong females..women...goddesses!!!!

You go girls!

[Mari333]

2. Good. and my sons who never voted will be voting Dem

this year too...including my stepson in Baghdad, who will vote for Kerry.
good going young women .

[maddezmom]

4. let's hear it for a new generation of young women and men voting dem!!

:) Lots of men (young and old) were at the march yesterday, too!

[slinkerwink]

3. I'm 21, and I'm planning like hell to VOTE no matter what!

I'll be voting in MA!

[xxqqqzme]

5. it was wonderful 2 C

young women taking up the banner. My daughter is 32, has always voted democratic and is fiercely female and a vegetarian. Once, during a minor lapse of judgment, she dated, briefly, a rethug. He told her, he would convince her 2 vote rethuglican. She told him, she would eat meat B4 she voted rethug. I was so proud!

[Gothmog]

6. My 16 year old saw rally

and made me promise that the next time there is an event like this, we will take her. She will not be able to vote this election but she has her heart in the right place.

My 18 year son is looking forward to voting for Senator Kerry. His vote may be wasted since Texas is a Red state but he is going to be part of the process.

[Democat]

7. Code Pink Generation!

Let's hope they all show up in November!

[cally]

8. YES!!!

I hope this is a wakeup call.

At least we have a reprieve for a few months:

"In the short term, the march could serve as a caution to Congress, said one senior Republican senator, who spoke on condition that he not be identified lest he draw criticism from his peers: "That was a very impressive showing by any fair standard. I think it will discourage any more votes this year on abortion."

[2Design]

9. not the best article and like most misses the point

This article made the march a non-issue except saying there were young voters. They said abortion is not an issue most people care about.

But for me and I believe many there this was about Women's rights and lives more than about abortion. Although I would never have an abortion, I believe a women has to have a choice of what happens to her own body.

To have states that take women to court or jail because she would not have a cesarian. Or others who will give health care to the child but not the mother.

Or anti abortion supporters like BUsh who are UNWILLING to give planned parenthood information to people so they can take charge of their life. Bush wants abstinence and as one poster displayed says... and Laura Bush is thankful....

The news and GOP seemed to have missed the point here and the impact. This was not about abortion. This was about other people trying to control Women. Trying to control their reproductive rights. Trying to hurt women in all the many ways the laws have hurt women.

Paying them too little. Not giving them health care. Not paying them enough. Saying instead of Welfare they would promote marriage.....even if it is to an abuser....as long as she is married and someone else is supporting her and her baby or even if they are not....

the GOP does not care. Just don't have sex. That is their message.

So IMHO, the media and the GOP completely missed the boat on this one. They did not listen to the speeches. This was about WOMENS LIVES. This is why there were so many organizations involved. It was because of the governments attack on rights, ALL rights, and especially Woman's RIGHTS.

[Just Me]

12. I agree, 28erl!!!

Well stated.

Welcome to DU!!! :bounce:

:hi:

[uncertainty1999]

13. I wonder how many Republican women will defect over abortion

I mean, a tax cut is great, but only if a bad pregnancy or botched abortion does not kill you first...

[Just Me]

14. Yup,...I am certain the moderate/centrists are willing to defect.

Even if they are "private" about that defection *LOL*!!! I also noted quite a few Republican moms at the March anti-war demonstration.

Welcome to DU, uncertainty1999!!! :bounce:

:hi:

[2Design]

18. Not about abortion ....it is about womens rights

If women want to be treated better, get better pay, get better jobs, not be open to assault, be in charge once they are pregnant and not have to give up their bodies to the state to decide things for them ...yes I think we can get repubs...

No women once pregnant is going to want to give up their decision making to the state or federal government and right now the way the laws have been written this year at the federal level and in previous years in some states....that is exactly what is happening.

Courts are deciding whether a woman has to have a cesarian. Courts are deciding a fetus is more important than the women. Catholic Hospitals have always had this. If the choice is between saving the mother or saving the baby, they will save the baby.

Most woment do not want to give up this much control over their pregnant bodies......this is a HUGE issue and once women truly realize what the government is doing.......they are going to revolt

[blueseas]

10. Thanks to the Marchers

When women vote, dems win!

[burythehatchet]

11. When men place our future in harm's way, only women can save us

[catzies]

15. Beautifully put.

[Melodybe]

16. i'm 26, a woman, and active as hell!

[Barkley]

17. Goddess Bless the Americas

The 1963 March on Washington had a similar impact getting the voting Rights of 1964 passed in Congress.

[DeepModem Mom]

19. kick

[kodi]

20. Lysistrata arising, and none to late.

for those of us men with daughters and nieces, our hearts swell with pride at their efforts.

[symbolman]

21. Let's take a page from these fine ladies

playbook..

should there be talk of a DRAFT we need to get a MILLION boys and men to do the SAME THING..

it works, they proved it..

and we love them for it :)

[dusty64]

22. Good to see so many

see whats at stake. Our very freedom and democracy is on the line, anything short of a trouncing of the extreme right leaves us continuing our sinkage into an American Taliban run corporate theocracy.