The New York Times reports:Young Americans are more likely than the general public to favor a government-run universal health care insurance system, an open-door policy on immigration and the legalization of gay marriage, according to a New York Times/CBS News/MTV poll. The poll also found that they are more likely to say the war in Iraq is heading to a successful conclusion.Read more.
The poll offers a snapshot of a group whose energy and idealism have always been as alluring to politicians as its scattered focus and shifting interests have been frustrating. It found that substantially more Americans ages 17 to 29 than four years ago are paying attention to the presidential race. But they appeared to be really familiar with only two of the candidates, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, both Democrats.
They have continued a long-term drift away from the Republican Party. And although they are just as worried as the general population about the outlook for the country and think their generation is likely to be worse off than that of their parents, they retain a belief that their votes can make a difference, the poll found.
More than half of Americans ages 17 to 29 — 54 percent — say they intend to vote for a Democrat for president in 2008....
Maybe there is hope for the next generation. Ours certainly has botched things up royally.
2 comments:
Maybe good, maybe not. I'm not convinced that a Democratic (or Republican) president is the real answer; as Nader and others have often said: the two parties are two sides of the same coin.
While you are right, of course, it's good news in terms of the values and the issues the young are embracing -- it is the thinking behind the label that gives me hope. From my experience, many young people are quite savvy about the "one party" system that has overtaken this country and many are prepared to vote for a third party candidate.
What gives me hope is that the poll hints at a mini-reawakening of a social conscience in young America, the likes of which we haven't seen since the 60's to early 70's.
The Presidential Scholars who spoke up to Bush against torture are another example of young Americans' willingness to take a stand and their lack of fear in doing so. That's good. And hopeful. And I hope it grows.
The poll isn't all rosy, but if it indicates even a tiny growing respect for traditional "liberal" Democratic values, it's a step in the right direction.
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