TPM: The 2014 Electorate Was Really Old

[Hissyspit]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/exit-polls-2014-electorate-old

Dylan Scott TPMLivewire
CHART: The 2014 Electorate Was Really, Really Old
11/5/2014 11:14 AM EST

Older voters helped propel Republicans to sweeping victories Tuesday in Senate and gubernatorial races nationwide, according to exit polls from NBC News.

The disparity between the under-30 and over-60 was the widest it's been in a decade, those polls found. The seniors comprised 37 percent of the electorate; young people made up 12 percent.

[MineralMan]

1. And 30-60 year olds made up 51%.

How come they don't mention that demographic group?

Incomplete information is distorted information.

[titaniumsalute]

3. The point is that the older crowd is very conservative and the younger crowd is not

The disparity between the 60+ crowd showing up and voting RIGHT versus the younger LEFT crowd not showing up is why the Republicans did so well. The middle age groups were not a part of this story for that reason. And we should always (sadly) know that this will happen in midterms. Yes GOTV campaigns help...but clearly you can see it didn't help that much. Hell maybe it helped the 60+ crowd while the youth didn't hear it.

I also maintaint that you'll get more youth if you make voting a national holiday.

[MineralMan]

4. Is it? I'm 69. I vote for Democrats.

I know lots of other people my age and older who do the same. My 90 year old mother votes for Democrats, for pete's sake. She voted yesterday, too, at the county fire station near her home. Does she not count?

Bottom line is that the under 30 crowd doesn't bother to vote. Maybe they should, don't you think?

Actually, it's only the 18-30 population we're talking about. A range of just 12 years. The over 60 crowd is larger, by far, and covers a broader age range. So it's not susprising that more votes come from that group anyhow. Still, 51% of the voters are between 30 and 60. That group has the largest impact of all.

Include all age groups and the chart looks different. Include the age ranges and it looks different. Comparing a group with an age range of 12 years to one with an age range approaching 30 years is really not a good comparison. Ignoring the largest group of voters of all, also with a 30-year age range, makes the chart useless.

[titaniumsalute]

7. I'm not arguing with your points

My folks are in their mid sixties and both have voted Dem their whole lives. But look at the exit poll statistics in the US. The highest density of voters yesterday we Whites who are 65+. And they tend to be Republican 62% to 36% Dem. That was the biggest overall problem. (Youa nd your friends...along with my folks are in the 36% category.) Of course you, your mother, my folks count.

And of course the youth should vote. But that is a rhetorical statement. Reality is such that they don't vote in midterms just as the minorities vote less in midterms as well.

The reason why Dems do a lot better in the Presidential elections has a lot to do with the youth vote along with the higher minority vote. Both are much more Democratic than Republican.

[regnaD kciN]

10. True...

My parents (may they rest in peace) both voted straight Democratic well into their late eighties. However, they lived in a planned senior community in north San Diego County, and they could only name one other Democrat among their large group of acquaintances. Most were full-on teabaggers (although this was before the actual party existed).

[still_one]

2. Then let these younger voters refight the battles that were won in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, because

a lot of things they take for granted will be slowly going away if things continue the way they appear to be

[pa28]

5. And older Americans have left the party in droves.

-65's and over went for Republicans 57% to 42%
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/11/04/us/politics/2014-exit-polls.html?_r=0

-If you go back to the 2006 mid-terms it was evenly split at 49%
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/US/H/00/epolls.0.html


Perhaps it's because we've managed to blow a 38% advantage on the issue of Social Security with our willingness to cut it. We did this to ourselves.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/gop-betrays-social-securi_b_6061196.html

[regnaD kciN]

11. "Our willingness to cut it"...WHICH WE NEVER DID

Never let the facts get in the way of a good narrative.

On the other hand, in the "self-fulfilling prophecy" department, you can practically guarantee chained CPI now.

[pa28]

12. He was willing to cut Social Security. That is fact. Not narrative.

[underpants]

6. Older voters voted for the party that wants to get rid of social security?

I'm not doubting that that is the case. It just shows how much of a "news" bubble we live in.

[SamKnause]

8. I am a 61 year old female.

I do not vote for Republicans !!!!!!!

I disagree with them on every issue !!!!!!!!!!!

Without Republicans the United States could be a utopia.

We could influence the world in positive ways.

Republicans are the greatest threat to the United States and the world.

[JCMach1]

9. Revenge of the FOX NEWS Zombies

that is all...