Do Democrats have the millennial generation for life?

[pstokely]

They seem to be open to third parties. The majority may be socially liberal but a lot don't want to pay their fair share. Many ex-hippies are now Fauxborg. Would the Mittens of 2002 done better with them?

[hrmjustin]

1. Every election cycle brings it's own surprises, but I think the majority are hooked on voting...

... for the party of the people.

[Egalitarian Thug]

2. No, but they could. They would have to stand for Democratic principles however, so I'm not very

hopeful. There is an Abba Eban quotation that too frequently applies to our party; &quot They) never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity".

[steelmania75]

3. Socially we're very liberal and I think that's what's given the Democrats the edge

Republicans aren't progressive on issues such as abortion, gay marriage, marijuana legalization, etc. But economically I would say we're moderate. We're also a very diverse bunch, and the Republicans give off this message of being the party of old white males.

[bayareamike]

4. As someone who falls into the youth category,

I'd guess that the overwhelming support for the Democratic Party by youth voters is related to the extremely conservative social positions of the GOP. Pretty much every young person -- on both coasts and down south as well -- I know disagrees with the GOP on social issues.

Where young people stand on economic issues is more murky IMO, because many of the young people I know don't follow politics THAT closely, as to understand many of the finer points of contemporary arguments. However, as has been stated in this thread already, on social issues my generation is very liberal.

That being said, I doubt that the GOP (in its current form) will morph into a more liberal party. It seems like it's becoming the party of older white folks pretty rapidly.

[pstokely]

5. But will the GOP find younger white folks to replace the old white folks who die off?

Last edited Tue Nov 13, 2012, 10:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Even younger white evangelicals aren't rabidly anti-gay or anti-choice as older white evangelicals. They aren't doing as good of job as the tobacco companies.

[bayareamike]

6. Good point.

I'm a young white person myself. I think in general this country is shifting to the left because of younger people. That's a good thing.

[teenagebambam]

7. I teach college

and find a surprising number of 18-22 year olds are absolutely Democratic in their social positions, and absolutely Republican in their economic positions (I am at a relatively expensive school, so my theory is that a lot of the economic positions have come from their parents). But the social ideals seem to win out, so I think the Republicans have a losing game on their hands unless they radically change course.