Young voters have not abandoned Obama: poll

[ProSense]

Young voters have not abandoned Obama: poll

By Lauren Keiper

(Reuters) - Young voters, who were crucial to President Barack Obama's election in 2008, have not soured on him and now support the Democrat in greater numbers than in the fall, according to a Harvard University poll.

The survey also showed that young voters worry most about the economy, and still turn to traditional news outlets for political coverage.

In the latest iteration of Harvard's Institute of Politics poll of 18 to 29 year olds, 55 percent of the so-called Millenial Generation approve of Obama's job performance, up by six percentage points from the previous poll in October.

Looking forward to 2012, Obama leads a generic Republican candidate by 12 percentage points, results show.

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[UrbScotty]

1. I sure haven't abandoned him. Proud of my President!

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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

[MrTriumph]

2. Dubious.

I can't think of one young person I know who is not upset about their job prospects. This does not bode well for Pres. Obama.

Perhaps young people should look for jobs in Libya rebuilding that country- at our expense thanks to Pres. Obama- after the war is over.

[Sheepshank]

6. Young persons, upset at job prospects

realize the wheels were set in motion more than 2 years ago. They are no dummies. I think the blame is placed correctly on the records of the previous administration. Negligable effect on Obama's 2012 bid.

[RichGirl]

14. They sound like intelligent...

...college students. They are smart enough to know that nobody can create jobs out of thin air. Also, young people tend to be more optimistic than complaining old farts.

[emulatorloo]

18. So, what are the Republicans doing about that?

So far it has been killing abortion rights, defending DOMA, repealing HCR.

[Pisces]

3. Of course they haven't. The young don't identify with racist and stupid.

[fasttense]

4. So, where were all the young voters when the RepubliCONS and Kochroaches took control of the House?

I really have my doubts that they will be there in 2012.

[Pisces]

11. Same place they are for all of the midterms. In addition Obama's name was not on the ballot.

[RichGirl]

15. And that doesn't just apply to young people.

People in general are lazy and don't like voting.

[emulatorloo]

19. especially in midterms, unless you are super motivate like the baggers.

2006 we were out in full force.

[Harmony Blue]

23. Fair point to bring up

But talking with many youngsters, they point out that mid term elections are not as meaningful given Presidents have the power to appoint Supreme Court Justices for example, which is a strong argument. If the young voters from the last Presidential election show a strong showing, and they will given some who voted for McCain are leaning towards Obama now, it bodes well for the future of our country. In addition, many voters will be of voting age when 2012 arrives, which will really add a surge, maybe unprecedented in U.S. history.

[young but wise]

5. K&R

[craigmatic]

7. Support is one thing but turn out is a completely different matter.

The question is whether they'll volunteer and be as involved this time as they were in 2008.

[RichGirl]

16. They will.

We had a democratic governors primary just months after the 2008 election. A lot of young people got involved because they were still on an Obama high. But, that race didn't have the excitement so their enthusiasm petered out...come midterms it had flatlined.

They'll be back. They need a rockstar to support, not just a stodgy old politician...a mere mortal.

[damntexdem]

9. And whoever the Repuke nominee is, it will be worse than generic.

;-)

[sad sally]

10. The two teens I know quite well say they only know a United

States at war, and that it doesn't seem to make any difference who the President is - say they all like to wear the bomber jacket and be Commander in Chief of the troops. They don't believe the government exists for the people, it's there to serve corporations and their profits. Cynics? Yup.

[Pisces]

12. How sad for you Sally. Most kids don't know about war as it is easy to ignore. Unlike Vietnam these

wars don't affect the young who don't enlist. We also have low mortality rates vs. The Vietnam War.

[sad sally]

13. They're smart kids - they read a lot - ficton and non-ficton

The girl (15) has worked in soup kitchens; the older one (19) calls himself old school. They were rooting for Obama in '08, convinced their Mom and Dad to vote for him, but now say the hope and change were just slogans. We talk politics. They're my grands.

[emulatorloo]

21. Hope you are keeping them up with Wisconsin, Ohio, etc , so they can see what Republican Rule is

really like.

Dems in those states are doing good fighting the horrid things those Republicans are trying to do.

In my state especially (IOWA), we have a far right gov and a wingnut laden House of Reps.

Fortunately we still have a Democratic majority in the Senate, and they are slapping down every hateful bill the house puts out.

[treestar]

17. Go Youth!

I knew they had sense.

[Clio the Leo]

20. And dont forget the voters too young to vote for him in '08....

... all those in high school who will have turned 18 by '12. Have you all seen his events at high schools? The man is a rock star.

[Keith Bee]

22. Neither has my 48-year-old ass

Obama '12, bay-bee!