election 2008

At a time when young people are exceeding participation in elections, issue discussion, and politics, progressives and democratic candidates have capitalized on the opportunities of a lifetime to juice up state parties and progressive leaning organizations across the country.

Most that had turnout numbers for the February Super Fat Tuesday elections showed an increase in youth participation and most of them voted for democratic candidates.

Except Oklahoma. As Mike told us Oklahoma had 10,000 more young people voted for Republican candidates - not Democrats.

This is curious to me. I'm familiar somewhat with Oklahoma - I have a few friends who work there and I looked into the kind of organizing the GOP is doing there and I gotta tell you, its not that much. Its in par with normal organizations and normal states. There is a Young Dems chapter in the main universities, and a College Republicans chapter there too. The Oklahoma GOP doesn't seem that active, that involved, or honestly that competent. The Dems don't seem like they have a 100% solid organization but they are more organized, have more staff, and are more open to "outside of the box" thinking - so I feel like they are better poised.

One operative I talked to said it might be a result of the closed vs. open primary. In Kansas we have an open Dem caucus vs. the GOP that has a closed caucus. We've seen in the past that young voters are more likely to register as independents.

Young Voter Strategies shows here

"Young voters' high rate of independence has been true throughout modern American political history. The America Voter noted in 1964 that "young people, just entering the electorate, are more likely than any of the older age groups to call themselves independents." Today about one-third of young adults identify as independent."

My friend in OK agrees with this. With a closed primary you don't get the independent voters or republican voters that want to vote more progressively but are just not registered that way.

Another reason GOP youth numbers were up, might be because this new blood may not have been excited by Bush but were excited by this race.

Another friend says that in Oklahoma they are having problems with an aging and passing democratic electorate. Oklahoma is an old school democratic state. Good old farmers and ranchers who have grown up and lived with staples in the party like Robert S. Kerr. Those folks are quickly dying off - and their children are not following suit in the same family business.

The data hasn't gone unnoticed by operatives there and many progressive leaning organizations have been developing their outreach to young voters. These new numbers are a good indication for the necessity for their organization and enthusiasm to continue. Perhaps, shift more into high gear.

As the data from YVS shows us - if you vote the same way in your first few elections, then you've got them hooked for life.

I saw a lot of famous people in the audience of the debate tonight. It makes it all the more interesting to show you this piece I read today about the impact endorsements from famous folks have on young voters . It has some good points and it has some questionable statements. And further I feel it leaves out something even more essential - issues.

According to the Newswire article:

"One marketing ploy used by presidential candidates of both parties is celebrity endorsements. Whether or not endorsements are effective in wooing young voters, is a question Phillip’s marketing colleague Natalie Wood, Ph.D., explored in her recent research paper: “Political Star Power and Political Parties: Does Celebrity Endorsement Win First-Time Votes?”

Published in the Journal of Political Marketing, Wood concluded that in terms of voting behavior, family and significant others are more influential than celebrities in engaging youth support for a political candidate.

“Sometimes, when young voters perceive that a celebrity is using his or her status in order to influence their voting, they will rebel against the endorsement, and vote the opposite of what they are urged to do,” explained Wood. She said that the best strategy for celebrities in affecting the outcome of elections might be to urge young people to vote, but also to make their own decisions.

One thing we consistently talk about here on FM and in other youth voting venues is the fact that young people are more engaged in the issues this election than ever before. While last time around I would argue that they did feel a certain issue driven focus - I feel the fault dear friends was the lack of a cohesive message and further a lack of outreach with that message on the issues that concerned young people the most.

What does this translate to? Talk issues. Talk about them in a personal way. Not like - well I'm for better health care cause I have chronic tourettes around the GOP, but talk to people about things in an intimate way - face to face, chatting with friends, in bars, etc.

The beginning of the piece nails it on the head

"It's an issue of niche marketing," said Phillips. "Candidates can't be everything to everyone, and young people know this. Young people favor authentic candidates--those who stick by their beliefs."

Phillips said that young adults perceive Barack Obama as an authentic candidate, citing his victories in Iowa and South Carolina where his primary wins came almost entirely from adults under 30. "Young people are very cynical of marketing ploys," said Phillips. "They want to be able to say, 'Here's someone that gets me.’"

And they're right. We respect authenticity and we value people who stand for something, but moreover we value people who authentically stand for communicating their issues to us. Neglecting us is the number one way to fail - connecting with us - without your swanky famous people is just as valuable and more respectful of us as whole.

Connecting... not neglecting...

I'm off to the land of South Carolina to wittness the primary before I embark on a quick Find Rudy Campaign. Why you might ask am I looking for Rudy... well... has anyone really seen him lately? I mean other than the great state of Florida. So I'm going to Florida to find Rudy.

Again... you're shaking your head... See, Rudy is actually one of only TWO republican candidates that have a youth section on their websites. One of course is Ron Paul. So, first I want to see what the crowds are like at his events - are there young people? Do they seem engaged? Do they feel like they are missing out without the whole Chuck Norris thing? Why did Rudy feel compelled to connect with young voters? All questions I'll try to get answers to.

Speaking of the GOP.... Jane Flemming Kleeb from YVP tipped me off to Jason Mattera. Jason is from the Young Americas Foundation - which gets young people into wacko right wing policies. Yeah... I know... I'm totally a partisan hack, but Jason has a few good points here. 1. Young people aren't conservative. 2. The GOP doesn't do youth outreach.... hardly at all. 3. Young conservatives are more likely to be involved in church not campaigns. 4. Reagan is dead and gone. Its true. He is.

Ew... don't you just need a shower after that?! I wish the GOP super good luck on their adventures attracting young voters. And while I hope those young voters take one look and come running the other way to my big happy partisan party, I have to say once again that any outreach to young voters... is good outreach. Even when they're evil? Yes, even when they're evil, because they are showing you that you are important... and lets face it... you are.

Ok.. moving on... Hillary Clinton launched a youth focused national tour this week titled Our Voices, Our Future.

"The Clinton campaign today launched the “Our Voice, Our Future Tour,” a two-week tour to encourage young voters to support Hillary and make their voices heard. The tour builds on and expands Hillblazers, the campaign’s youth mobilization program. Through visits to high schools, colleges and young professional events, Chelsea Clinton, Members of Congress, and prominent Hillary backers will reach out to young people and inspire and mobilize support for the campaign. New supporters will be encouraged to engage their social networks in support of Hillary.

“Young people have always been a voice for change. Throughout my campaign, I’ve heard students and young professionals speak about the challenges we face and the solutions they’d like to see, from an education policy that makes college affordable to a health care policy that provides quality care to all Americans,” said Clinton. “Young Americans are thinking about our future and making their voices heard during this election, and I am listening, and I’ll be sure to continue to listen in the White House.”

When I asked OK YD president Mandy Winton about it she was enthusiastic

"Sen Clinton will be able to take her message to young voters who will be pivotal in the outcome of this historic election. Hillary brings real solutions to problems our generation is facing. From rising costs for higher education to the environment, Senator Clinton will bring real change and solutions for a brighter future for all Americans," she said

While I applaud the effort for the same reason that I champion Jason's antics, I worry that for her its too little too late. If young voters don't come out for her and she does become the nominee, I wonder if that will reduce her enthusiasm for young voters in the general. I could be jumping to conclusions, but its a fear that I think all of us face ... going BACK to the sad scary world where politicians didn't know we mattered....

And finally Senator John Edwards will be the second candidate to participate in the town hall style forum hosted by the Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) today (Friday) at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

The event will mark the second in a series that SAVE is hosting with Democratic and Republican Presidential Candidates. “The gap between politicians and young people is too wide,” said Matthew Segal, the executive director of SAVE. “The purpose of our forum is to show politicians that young people care and to show young people that politicians are accessible and listening. I am pleased that John Edwards recognizes that youth are a crucial component of the electorate who require the same respect, attention and consideration that older voting blocs receive.”

This comes about after BraveNewFilms's MeetThePrez did an interview with Sen. Edwards asking him why he thought young voters mattered.

SAVE's townhall will be going on around the time the Senator's recent interview with Tyra Banks will be aired. See clips here and here.

Senator Clinton appeared earlier, she and Tyra discussed Clinton's first date with Bill, text messaging, and headbands. Obama also appeared earlier this year. You can see clips from him revealing his first date experience here.

Hey - say what you will about Tyra, but she gets them to answer some personal questions, and she's much nicer than Tim Russert.

Happy South Carolina Primary to everybody!