Survey: Republican Support Collapses Among Youth
Tender Branson:
A major, multi-mode survey of America’s young people recently conducted by Democracy Corps shows young people profoundly alienated from the Republican Party and poised to deliver a significant majority to the Democratic nominee for President in 2008. The political stakes with this generation could not be higher.
In 2008, young people (ages 18-31) will number 50 million, bigger than the baby boom generation. By 2015 they will likely comprise one-third of the U.S. electorate. While participation among young people still lags well behind other generations, turnout increased two election cycles in a row and, in 2004, jumped nine points (to 49 percent). In 2004, younger voters were the only generational cohort outside of the World War II generation to support John Kerry (56 percent). In 2006, younger voters supported Democrats by a 60 – 38 percent margin, the highest of any generation.
The looming disaster Republicans face among younger voters represents a setback that could haunt them for many generations to come. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama lead Rudy Giuliani—the most acceptable of the Republican offerings among youth—by significant margins, assembling a diverse coalition of support and leading the vote among independents.
Exploring attitudes toward the parties themselves, young voters’ reaction to fundamental issues and their perceptions of the GOP suggest a fundamental alienation from the Republican Party, a crisis that will not leave with the Bush administration.
Young people react with hostility to the Republicans on almost every measure and Republicans and younger voters disagree on almost every major issue of the day. The range of the issue disagreements range from the most prominent issues of the day (Iraq, immigration) to burning social issues (gay marriage, abortion) to fundamental ideological disagreements over the size and scope of government.
Story continues ...
http://democracycorps.com/reports/analyses/Democracy_Corps_July_27_2007_Youth_Memo.pdf
http://democracycorps.com/reports/surveys/Democracy_Corps_May_29-June_29_2007_Youth_Survey.pdf
Person Man:
Yeah, but there have been some populist conservative movements that have canceled out, but not overshadowed some gains. The momentum is in full swing, but there are still debates to win.
Frodo:
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A minor question -isn't the Baby Boomer generation somewhere around 78 million or so, according to mainstream publications like Newsweek?
Tetro Kornbluth:
Quote from: Frodo on July 27, 2007, 07:42:54 PM
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A minor question -isn't the Baby Boomer generation somewhere around 78 million or so, according to mainstream publications like Newsweek?
Depends on how you define Baby Boomers.
Reluctant Republican:
That’s a shame, but Its not that much of a surprise. If the Republican party was actually still fiscally responsible and if it had any Libertarian positions on social issues left, we’d still have a base. But really, what youth wants to support a big government, hawkish, socially authoritarian party? There are some yes, especially with the big government part, but as youth is a time of rebellion, it makes sense that most young people would oppose the party that is seen as supporting authority and control. If you notice the Democratic candidates for president, they are all talking about change, like repealing the Patriot act, repealing don’t ask don’t tell, and ending the war, and this message appeals to the young of America. The Republicans on the other hand talk about confronting terrorism, being tough with other countries, and pretty much keeping Bush’s policy, except trying to implement it much more successfully. That message is really hard to get excited about, especially since it might mean more war, and its the young who often go to fight the wars.
But anyway even I, a lifelong Republican have never been this demoralized. As it is now, the only reason I’m sticking with the GOP is economic issues, at least based on principle. After this next election I may bail out entirely and become a Libertarian.
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