Fewer Young Voters See Themselves as Democrats

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The college vote is up for grabs this year — to an extent that would have seemed unlikely two years ago, when a generation of young people seemed to swoon over Barack Obama.

Though many students are liberals on social issues, the economic reality of a weak job market has taken a toll on their loyalties: far fewer 18- to 29-year-olds now identify themselves as Democrats compared with 2008.

“Is the recession, which is hitting young people very hard, doing lasting or permanent damage to what looked like a good Democratic advantage with this age group?” asked Scott Keeter, the director of survey research at the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan group. “The jury is still out.”

How and whether millions of college students vote will help determine if Republicans win enough seats to retake the House or Senate, overturning the balance of power on Capitol Hill, and with it, Mr. Obama’s agenda. If students tune out and stay home it will also carry a profound message for American society about a generation that seemed so ready, so recently, to grab national politics by the lapels and shake.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/us/politics/03students.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

students. Colorado is not exactly a bastion of Democratic power.

I have always regarded the youth vote as somewhat fickle. But I don't see this article as indicative of how the national elections will go in November.

I saw another article not too long ago trying to generalize "Obama's Unpopularity" from some folks in Indiana. Sorry can't remember exactly where I saw it, Time Magazine maybe?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.