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- iHaveNet.com: Politics
by Jesse Jackson
When young Americans come alive, they transform the possible. We saw that in 2008 when young Americans -- the millennial generation of 18-29 year-olds -- voted in large numbers (larger than the aging baby boomers), and overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. They cast almost one out of every six votes in that election and voted for Obama by a 2-to-1 ratio. We saw what happens when they are discouraged in 2010, when young voter turnout fell a staggering 60 percent, and a tea party
What will young voters do in 2012? The president showed his concern by kicking off his campaign with speeches on two college campuses. The
Young voters are still largely Obama territory. Today's aging, white, Southern-dominated
The president reflects their values far more than his opponent. Obama fought to free student loans from the private banks, to extend Pell grants and defend lower student loan rates. He is bringing young men and women home from Iraq and Afghanistan, while Romney calls for more war. His
But while Obama will win the most young votes, the question is how many will vote? The overwhelming issue for young people is jobs, and the jobs picture is lousy. Nearly one in four 18 or 19 year olds was unemployed in May, according to the
The campaigns are gearing up their Twitter, text, video,
To get young voters excited, Obama will have to offer more than his record. He'll need to fight for jobs that will give the young a future.
When cynicism or dismay wins out and the young withdraw, unintended consequences result. We saw that in 1968 when Nixon beat Humphrey by the margin of our despair. We saw it in 2010 when only 20.9 percent of young people bothered to vote, and the tea-party dominated Republicans took the
Young voters have the power to transform America's future, but to do so, they have to come alive once more.
AMERICAN POLITICS
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Will Young America Come Alive in 2012? | Politics
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