Latino vote and youth vote - Important considerations

Although this post is not directly related to THIS election, today's performance by these two groups has significant implications for future elections.

Very few people change their political beliefs over their lifetimes. Oh sure we all know someone that did. I was a Republican when I was younger, in fact. But the vast majority of people DON'T change. And the research by political scientists suggests that once you vote in two elections, your preferences are largely fixed for the rest of your life.

2008 and 2012 -- see where I'm going with this?

What this means is that even if Republicans begin to shift their policies to be more friendly to these groups, it will be very difficult for them to win them back.