What happened to the youth vote?

As one who is in that 18-29 year old range, I am appalled to see that we had roughly the same percentage turnout as we did 4 years ago (about 17% of the vote). I think some of it was laziness of the youth. I also think that the organizations like VOTE OR DIE! and Rock The Vote made voting seem like a joke to the youth. What person over the age fo 18 is really going to listen to P. Diddy about voting. I applaud them for trying, but they need to do more than make and sell T-Shirts. I don't want to say that we are a lost cause as the youth of America, because I think there is a voice not being heard. The problem is that we are whispering with that voice and not screaming. What can we do to turn this around?

I worked the polls and we had young people LINED UP from 7-10 am and also from 2:30 to about 6:45 in the evening. Lots of first time voters. And I saw more than a few Kerry/Edwards stickers. This is a red state, so they had no reason to be so gung-ho.

The whole numbers went up.

And those that voted, went Kerry SIGNIFICANTLY more this year than 2000. The trouble was that more 26+ year old voters showed up too. And it looked like (if I remmeber correctly) the big * demographic of white males 30-44 years old, was through the roof. I want to figure out how that happened...

Are those the biggest homophobes generally? What is that demographic known for? My gut says that that was the bunch that turned out for the gay marriage amendments, but I could be wrong.

brought out the REP base. I would not be suprised if Rove had Bush bring up this whole controversy just to get out his base and he will drop it or change positions soon.

...another stolen verdict America. Until BBV is removed from the process in its entirety there will be no elections, only selections.

energy to appear out of nowhere. The poor to march down the street in unprecedented waves. Wishful thinking without widespread evidence of protests in the streets. Forgetting the difference between college youth who might presume deferments and working youth. I didn't see automatic recruits for us among the Fahrenheit 9/11 youth who were listening somewhat to the military recruiters.

The wishful thinking about great leaders or new groups rarely just shows up. The elderly are educating themselves by round the clock TV. Does that make them better informed? The NAARP they rely on for info and direction.
Have Democrats replaced those sources? Kids have their own problems in info and motivation and where do you reach them? Narcotic TV? School?

We are all ready made victims. Some or most remain so, especially if life is kind of OK at the moment. Despair/apathy is an easy alternative that involves an unpleasant but easy response.

We are all victims. Even Bush is a victim of himself. The idiot.

Whisper campaigns are the devil's specialty apparently. Mass positive working together they cannot ape.

that only 10 percent of 18-24 age group voted. Pitiful.

according to polls I've seen

dammit, kids. it's your asses that will be drafted. i hope you enjoy sand in your coffee and bullets in your asses.

now go back to watching american idol.

fuck.

rcm

they showed up...17% of overall vote..which is a large number..

they also came out with 17% of the vote in 2000 but that was less than this time so they did come out..

it was the OTHER age groups...people in my age group went DOWN in turnout from 2000 30-45 I think??? Makes me sick...