NY Times: Students Lose Zeal for Aiding Obama Again

[alp227]

For much of the presidential election of 2008, Barack Obama’s campaign was Emma Guerrero’s life. She was one of a dozen volunteers who showed up at an Obama campaign office here every night, taking time from her studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to be part of what she still remembers as the most exciting period of her life.

It was largely because of Ms. Guerrero — and hundreds of other college students like her across the country — that Mr. Obama assembled a formidable machine that helped him roll to victory in 2008, a triumph that included putting Nevada into the Democratic column for the first time in 12 years.

“We did everything,” she said. “We went canvassing. Phone banking. Cleaning the offices. Taking out my bosses’ dry cleaning. Whatever they needed. It was such an amazing time because we all believed and wanted him to get elected.”

Ms. Guerrero said that she did not blame Mr. Obama for the 13.4 percent unemployment rate that has gripped this state, and that she was still likely to vote for him. But as she looks to graduation this June and her job hunt ahead, the emotion she feels is fear, and she cannot imagine having the time or spirit to work for Mr. Obama.

full: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/us/politics/students-lose-enthusiasm-to-fight-for-obama-again.html?pagewanted=all

As a college student I will never miss an election and will vote for Obama unless he commits the unspeakable sin of cutting social security/medicare or caves too much to those in Congress who want him to be a one-term president.

Meanwhile, some young folks disappointed by Obama are joining the Ron Paul cult because they feel that government is a failure AND their K-12 education has been scrubbed of labor history (because "THAT'S SOCIALIST!") and real civics thanks to the efforts of William Bennett and then No Child Left Behind. There's this book by conservative Jason Mattera, Obama Zombies, that argues that the Obama campaign used deceit to attract the under-30 vote.

[rocktivity]

1. "By Adam Naguourney..."

:boring:
rocktivity

[Proud Liberal Dem]

16. Thanks for the context

says it all!

[elleng]

18. Really does!

My 23yr old daughter knows what's going on, says everyone w a brain does, but recognizes not everyone has a brain. Was very pleased to hear her p.o.v.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

20. A lot of people writing the *news* seem to live in their own "reality bubble"

where they get these kind of ideas. Sure, anybody can pull one or two disaffected Obama supporters out of their hat but one or two people do not necessarily reflect the views of the majority.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

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[Liberal_Stalwart71]

41. It's too early. Once the Puke Primaries are over and they have a "candidate"

...once the general campaign is underway, they'll change their minds and get busy when they realize what's at stake.

I teach political science college students, and even THEY aren't attuned to this election yet. They have midterms. They have life. They DO have a life!

When the election season gets rolling around, I think people will pay attention.

[elleng]

53. Yes, they do have a life!

:thumbsup:

[Sheepshank]

82. I personally think the stduents were enegergized for several reasons in 2008

Palin scared the shit out of them....as did McCain.

They wanted to get rid of Republican rule.

Obama was inspirational, he inspired others to participate in and become part of the system, he offered a change from the established Republican ways, and offered hope for a different path.

This time around, they do NOT YET have those driving issues presented to them. I am thinking after the Primaries, the interest will peak yet again.


What makes my opinion of any less worth than the dribble opinion in the OP?

[ellisonz]

35. ...

:boring:

[still_one]

2. The best reason to vote for Obama is because of the republicans. Unfortunately, it isn't because of

progressive ideas

[Beacool]

3. Reality hit them.

Campaigning for the cool guy is not the same now that he has a record. Unemployment among the young is very high, the economy is still in the doldrums and college fees keep going up.

It is far easier to support a dream than the reality. It was bound to happen.

:shrug:

[Cirque du So-What]

4. I give voting-age students more credit than that

Do you believe there will be a groundswell of support for Mitt der Shitt? The job-exporter and all-around corporate toady? Dream on! P.S.: Hillary Clinton is not running in 2012 - despite the most fervent efforts on the part of some to discredit our candidate by hook or by crook.

[Beacool]

25. No, most won't vote Republican.

The question is, will as many young people vote as they did in 2008 or will they stay home? That's left to be seen.

:shrug:

[JoePhilly]

29. Let's hope they stay home!!!! Cross your fingers!!!!

[Beacool]

32. Don't be foolish, that wasn't my point.

:eyes:

[Union Scribe]

92. Oh they know that

Almost every time one of them twists someone's words they know what they're doing. The other ones have their fingers too far in their ears to type.

[cottonseed]

8. They were voting against Hillary.

and Obama was a cool guy.

[Beacool]

24. Platitudes do not produce jobs nor improve the economy.

Maybe they shouldn't have been so caught in the moment. Choosing a president should not be like choosing the American Idol.

;)

[catgirl]

33. No, maybe they should have voted in 2010!

Why so many people don't realize that non-residential elections matter is beyond me. The jobs aren't there and our economy
is in poor shape because the repigs own the house. You should know better than that. Tsk, tsk.

It's still early and most people don't start volunteering at this stage. I'm sure the young voters will be out in full force.

[Beacool]

42. I never said that they shouldn't have voted in 2010.

Unfortunately, many stayed home.

[laugle]

44. Young

people are not known for high voter turn-out, couple that with a feeling of 'being had,' and it's more likely than not, that 2012 turn-out will be lower than 2008. Simple logic......

The only question is: how much lower?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

50. They should have gone with the New Coke approach like your candidate tried.

[AtomicKitten]

11. Reality such as: "Barack Obama Can't Win, Bill." Both you and she were wrong.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/04/candidate-clint/

[Beacool]

27. Kitten, go spit a hairball elsewhere.

We are talking about whether young people will vote next year for Obama in as large a number as they did in 2008. This is not about the Clintons.

;)

[jefferson_dem]

12. "The cool guy"...

Aw...geez. Let it go.

[Beacool]

23. I pounded on enough doors and made enough calls to know that they thought he was "cool".

When you asked why they were supporting him, most would respond that he was for change. What kind of change? They didn't know or care. In 2008 it WAS cool to support Obama.

:shrug:

[laugle]

47. What I want

to know is: Will he be coloring his hair before the election to look younger for the younger vote.........LOL........levity is good..............

I get a kick out of people saying he has aged a lot in 3 years. We all know it's just his hair hasn't been colored lately.......I just did mine today, it takes off 10 years.......LOL.....

[Beacool]

51. I hadn't thought about that.

I don't think that he'll color it, but I guess it would be fun to see whether he does or not.

:D

[laugle]

54. Watch us both

get moved to the lounge.....LOL.......we just need some levity now and then, geez, people are getting more and more rude........the tension is getting pretty thick around here, lot's of nervous nellie's, and Hillary isn't even running..........LOL.......too bad, so sad.......

Did you hear Bill Clinton say: "negotiations need a mix of compromise and confrontation." I forgot which show it was on. Oops...I think that was a slap on you know who??

Long on the compromise, short on the confrontation.......maybe he was just trying to give Obama some good advice!

[Beacool]

59. Apparently Bill IS giving the Obama campaign advice.

Axelrod and some of the campaign people came to NY to meet with Bill.

Oh, the irony of it all........

:7

[AtomicKitten]

63. The only thing ironic about that is the shitty job Bubba and Mark Penn did for HRC's campaign

[Beacool]

73. Tell that to Obama, he's the one that told his people to seek Bill's advice.

Can't have it both ways, dearie.

:7

[AtomicKitten]

76. Pfft. As if.

“The Obama team wants Bill Clinton on the reservation, actively helping them,” University of Virginia’s Larry Sabato said of the meeting. “Clinton has the potential to cause real problems if he believes he's on the outside looking in. He expects and wants to be involved, with appropriate deference, even though his relations with Obama have been shaky at best.”

I went dumpster-diving and found where your bullshit idea originated from. Not surprised you got it from http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/Obama-Bill-Clinton-Advice/2011/11/15/id/418122 ">Newsmax. The O-team is humoring Bill Clinton because he can be such a narcissistic pain in the ass.

[Beacool]

77. Ahhhh, the same arrogance as usual.

Pride comes before a fall.

Are these enough sources?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/bill-clinton-obama-2012-campaign_n_1092591.html

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-11-14/politics/30396492_1_obama-team-obama-operatives-bill-clinton

http://www.politicaldog101.com/?p=39908

http://www.nationalmemo.com/article/obama-campaign-chief-meets-quietly-clinton-harlem

It may pain some of you, but Bill is the best politician in many a generation and Obama will need all the help that he can get in 2012.

:D

[AtomicKitten]

78. Exactly. Bill Clinton's arrogance makes him a loose cannon.

It's no coincidence that you are parroting the rightwing sources.

BClinton is clearly not the "best politician in many a generation" ...
Candidate Obama prevailed over the Clinton tag-team without breaking a sweat.

[Beacool]

83. That is debatable.

Obama had a better campaign operation, but Bill is still the better politician.

As for arrogance, please, Obama reeks of it.

;-)

[Politicalboi]

71. Yes worked so well on Hillary's campaign

Oh wait! I wish Obama would see if Hillary would run for VP in 2012 to set her up for 2016. I like Joe, but Hillary would make it a sure win.

[laugle]

88. It really is too

bad they don't have a better relationship.........

[AtomicKitten]

64. Do you seriously think anybody here believes you lifted a finger for Obama?

As if. Sheeeeesh.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

65. She did lift a finger.

In fact, it's still up. ;)

[AtomicKitten]

67. ---

[Beacool]

74. Oh, did you mean this finger?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DygBj4Zw6No

:eyes:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

80. You are hilarious.

:rofl:

Not that the latest manifestation of your bizarre obsession with Hillary losing fair and square deserves a response, but you can clearly see Obama is using two fingers to scratch his face. If you actually think Obama is dumb enough to flip off Hillary on live television, you should add "clueless" next to "bitter" in your profile.

[Beacool]

84. Honey, I was being sarcastic.

Maybe if you stopped drinking the Kool-Aid long enough, you would have realized it.

;)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

86. No, you weren't.

Every post of yours is at best a backhanded compliment to Obama or at worst, a full-on groundless attack, all tied back to Hillary losing. You are not fooling anybody.

And you are the LAST person to accuse anybody of being a Kool-Aid drinker. You latch onto Hillary (and Bill) like a creepy stalker. I have absolutely no doubt that you'd be happy to see Obama lose in 2012 because, unlike Hillary, you are still unable to get over it. Grow up.

[Beacool]

72. When did I say that I campaigned for Obama?

I was referring to the primaries, of course.

:eyes:

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

5. Yeah,

“I don’t think so, no,” said Maureen Gregory, 23, a Las Vegas native who turned up at an interview at Madhouse Coffee loaded with buttons, T-shirts and posters from the campaign. “People in Nevada are really angry. I think Nevada is going to be red again in 2012, definitely.”

I'm sure they're all going to rush out and vote for one of the GOP clowns or stay home. Problem solved!

Everyone knows 2012 isn't going to be the same as 2008, but the notion that people who were really strong supporters of Obama in 2008 are going to allow a Republican to win is absurd. Everyone may not have the same level of enthusiasm, but that does not mean they're going to vote Republican.

[great white snark]

10. Nevada WILL NOT be red in 2012.

As you stated, the enthusiasm is not the same but should not imply that people here have lost their minds or memory. We know which party wants to use us as a nuclear dump. We know which party would cripple our Unions.

[totodeinhere]

28. Is that why Mark Amodei just won the Second Congressional District special election in a landslide?

I look for it to be very close with Las Vegas going blue and the rest of the state going red. Here in Elko County the GOP presidential candidate typically gets better than 70% of the vote.

[great white snark]

31. I know..the NRA's stooge.

:(

I hope history will repeat itself and Nevada will once again give Obama 6 EV's. We need a big turnout especially from minorities. At least Harry is safe until 2016.

[onpatrol98]

66. True...

There simply is no other choice. There will be no credible primary challenger. The majority of democrats who vote, will vote for President Obama. Maybe without some of the starry eyed, tingle up the leg, adoration as before. This time it will be the stark reality of what the alternative choice would offer.

[CakeGrrl]

6. And the alternative? Hope these collegians are using their brains

In contrast to the "Sit it out" contingent.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

17. Me too

I understand their frustration with things (we're all experiencing it) but I hope that they understand what life will be like for them (and the rest of us) if the GOP gets the WH and Congress next year. :banghead: With Democrats in power, everybody will have a chance to succeed. With the Republicans in power, the 99% are just going to get screwed over and over again.

[Cigar11]

7. Bad Move

Be prepared to kiss the Department of Education and Low Interest Loans for Higher Education completely good-by forever; leaving only a fraction of the US population access to quality education if you leave it up to the GOP and the Republican Party.

[Skittles]

15. great campaign strategy

he sucks, but these folk suck worse!!!

[WI_DEM]

9. Well I'm sure some are turned off, but when the Obama office opened here in Madison

recently there were lots of student volunteers.

[LiberalFighter]

13. Why should I listen to the MSM when their intent is to create doom and gloom?

[Skittles]

14. yeah, it's all the media's fault

:o

[treestar]

19. What a strange attempt to create negativity

A Presidential terms in four years, just like a college education. Therefore, Ms. Guerrero is graduating.

Incoming freshman might still have some energy.

And Ms. Guerrero is only one person.

People who write these things think we are stupid.

[vaberella]

22. Go for it College kids. Your choice is Herman Cain or Bachmann...enjoy it. n/t

[laugle]

48. More like Romney! nt

[vaberella]

81. Nope. Romney has no chance. In an Iowa poll it was Cain who was first.

And Paul came in second. Romney wasn't on the list. So far this sexual harassmet thing has turned into making Herman Cain a more well known figure than hurt his career. Romney hasn't a chance in high water. Even forgetting their positions seems to help them. Sure it hurts them with normal voters---but helps them with regular voters. Did you see Palin? She had notes in her hands, a blood libel comment that went viral with anger--and yet, if that woman put in her bid---she'd be the nominee hands down.

[laugle]

87. Not once did

I read a thread here on Palin. I never thought she had a chance at the nomination, and I don't like wasting time. Anyway, she's not running and I disagree she would get the nom. As far as Romney goes, I predicted from the beginning, he would get the nomination and still believe that.

Time will tell which one of us is correct, we'll talk later..............

I still have this feeling that someone will jump in at the end and prove both of us wrong..........LOL

[opihimoimoi]

26. NEGATIVITY CARD ALERT.........PSYOPS in Progress... this is a clue of BAD POLARITY

at work......

Obama Zombies My ASS

Try GOP DELUSION due to Hubristic Arrogance

[JoePhilly]

30. 2012 will be my college son's first election ... he'll be voting for Obama.

He follows politics religiously, and he wonders why adults who voted for Obama thought that Obama would have the entire world fixed in 2 years or even in one term.

His take ... some of the college kids he knows have the political attention span of a Kardasian wedding.

[ellisonz]

36. Sounds like you have a great son!

"and he wonders why adults who voted for Obama thought that Obama would have the entire world fixed in 2 years or even in one term."

I'm 25 and I really wonder that too...

:thumbsup:

[JoePhilly]

43. I'm biased, but yes he is ...

Back before the 2008 elections, he was just becoming old enough to understand that a kid like him could be sent to war. And so he was drawn in to world affairs.

He was telling me about various things he'd read or seen on TV by the time he was a sophomore in HS.

Now that he is in college (in NC) he finds himself trying to explain this stuff to other students who clearly have no idea. He tells me about friends who spout right wing talking points ... his tactic in response, is to act unsure, but then bring up factual information that he "thinks" he has seen.

One of his favorites is that when a right wing friend claims Obama is "bad for business", my son asks, if that is true, why has the DOW gone from 7500 to 12k since Obama has been President. He says this point destroys the right wing guy's credibility on almost anything else they say.

[ellisonz]

55. Pretty clever - Obama has been good for business.

What's his major?

I studied history.

[FrenchieCat]

34. First the Corporate media announced that the Gay Community had turned on Obama

Gay groups grumble over Obama
http://cachef.ft.com/cms/s/0/3ba1fca6-9918-11e0-acd2-00144feab49a.html#axzz1doDh702v

but that didn't work

LGBT Community Raising Big for Obama
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/10/lgbt-raising-big-for-barack-obama.html


Then they announced that Black Folks weren't "Enthusiastic" to vote for Obama in 2012.....

The Black War Over Obama
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/08/14/cornel-west-and-the-black-war-over-obama.html

and when that didn't work...
Poll: Black Americans more optimistic, enthused about 2012
http://www.thegrio.com/politics/poll-black-americans-more-optimistic-enthused-about-2012.php



Then they tried to put out some stories about Obama and women, and his administration....

The WH 'a genuinely hostile workplace for women'
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63737.html#ixzz1doFwITnw

Losing Women: Obama Support Sinks to New Lows
http://townhall.com/columnists/carrielukas/2011/09/06/losing_women__obama_support_sinks_to_new_lows/page/full/

and then that didn't work....

Women Voters Buoy Obama’s 2012 Hopes
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/women-voters-buoy-obamas-2012-hopes/



Then they tried to put out some stories about Obama and Hispanics, and how they were dismayed with him,

Obama’s Hispanic Vote Slipping Away
http://frontpagemag.com/2011/06/17/obama%E2%80%99s-hispanic-vote-slipping-away/

and that didn't work....

New Poll Puts Obama Far Ahead of GOP With Latino Voters
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/new-poll-puts-obama-far-ahead-of-gop-with-latino-voters/


And that reminds me about the Jewish vote.....
same story....

More Bad News for Obama and the Left on the Jewish Vote
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/09/26/obama-jewish-opinion-decline-romney/

But that's not going to work, it appears.....

GOP ruins chance to grab Jewish vote
http://whatreallyhappened.com/content/gop-ruins-chance-grab-jewish-vote

Jewish Vote Not A 'Problem' For Obama, Polls Show
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x816645


Then they went for the environmentalists,
Ozone climbdown: Is Obama giving up on environment?
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/09/ozone-climbdown-is-obama-back-.html

and well, that's not gonna happen either....


Obama's Keystone Pipeline Delay Could Shore Up Green Support
http://www.wnyc.org/npr_articles/2011/nov/10/obamas-keystone-pipeline-delay-could-shore-up-green-support/


so then, desperation struck, and the question was asked....:scared:

Could Obama lose Arab-American voters over Israel?
http://www.salon.com/2011/06/07/obama_arab_american_vote/
and that didn't quite work....



SO OF COURSE, YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD BE NEXT...... :shrug:

At the end of the day, combining these constant hit jobs from the media
using like tools those who would spread the bullshit everywhere....
along with curbing voting in state after state after state....
Well some folks may just get what they dreamed off.....Republican feet
deep up in their asses for a long ass time! Wouldn't that be simply
wonderful for all Americans, and for the world? So I hope folks keep working hard on this....
cause I'm one for enjoying those who most deserve it getting their just deserts. Too bad
it will be at everyone's expense.....but after all, a few bad apple can make life really difficult
for us all.

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. Frenchie, you are the best. Your post should be it's own o.p. to counter this swill.

Thanks for your research. What I don't get is why we're playing along with the M$M's attempts to marginalize this president on a board called "Democratic" Underground? :shrug:

[Number23]

45. Wait, does that say that gay bundlers raised $56 MILLION??! As in... MILLION??

Good LORD, that's alot of dough!! Holy moly... :wow: :wow: Do you have any numbers on how much money other groups have raised for his reelection?

That's nearly 5 percent of the money all of Obama's bundlers have raised.

That is really amazing.

As for the Jewish vote, Koch in NY seems to be doing his part to make things a bit more difficult for the president.

[great white snark]

46. You go girl!

Spectacular post.
:applause:

[catgirl]

57. Busted!! Great post FrenchieCat!

Bookmarked just for your post. :-)

[Pab Sungenis]

68. "announced that the Gay Community had turned on Obama"

Translation: "sit down and shut up, we can win without you?"

[FrenchieCat]

69. Not a translation, although it must be what you're thinking.....

fortunately for this world, not all folks think exactly alike!
That's a relief, wouldn't you say?

[chavi]

70. Yep, that sums it up perfectly!

Great post FrenchieCat!
Wish we could rec. individual posts!

[uponit7771]

89. I would have left this whole thing alone if not for you, thx for your input

[rocktivity]

91. And all of that happened BEFORE lunch time!

:rofl:
rockivity

[Jakes Progress]

37. Can't be true. All those kids were haters anyway.

Besides you can't trust the Times. Oh, and we've got this list. Hey. Look over there. Uh. . .

[great white snark]

49. Blah blah blah.

You forgot "hero worship."

[Jakes Progress]

85. pithy

[Beacool]

52. Funny, but pretty accurate..........

:7

[catgirl]

56. Still bitter, huh? n/t

[Beacool]

60. Still swallowing the swill?

;-)

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

40. Oh noes!!!!!!!! n/t

[frazzled]

58. You can't compare '08 to now.

At this point 4 years ago, there was an unknown Democratic primary on the brink ... a phenomenon that always attracts tons of interest and feet on the ground. Then that primary stretched out all the way to the late spring/early summer of '08, creating more impetus for people to become interested and involved.

Then there was the general election after eight years of pent-up anger about the Bush administration and a determination to not let the Republicans hold that seat again. Huge impetus for involvement.

This time, there is no primary question. The candidate is not some unknown long-shot who needs all the help he can get to fend off the Republican menace. He's the President of the United States of America. So I can see why young folk (and even not so young) are not "fired up and ready to go" at this point. That may change by next summer, or perhaps not even until Labor Day, when there is a real opponent and a real race.

[Zoeisright]

61. So they'll shoot themselves in the heart by re-electing the assholes who GOT

us into this mess?

If so, this country is going to get exactly what it deserves.


Collapse.

[Vattel]

62. I don't know how enthusiastic students will be,

but if they are enthusiastic, then I fear for our future.

[BreweryYardRat]

75. I don't always agree with President Obama's decisions...

...but he's done a decent job overall.

I will be voting for him. Probably won't have time to volunteer, but I can vote.

If the choice is between...

a: whichever lunatic and/or crook the Republicans eventually make presentable enough to run
b: sitting at home and wasting my vote
c: voting for someone who won't win the election
d: someone who (while not perfect) has at least made an effort on my behalf, and on my friends' behalf

...I'm voting D.

[BlueIris]

79. What a shock.

Not.

[Name removed]

90. Deleted message

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