I wrote yesterday that the new polling just released by Harvard’s Institute of Politics shows that young Obama supporters continue to say they will volunteer on his behalf despite misgivings with how the president is handling a number of issues. For many young people, the bloom is off the Obama rose.
Many young adults are not happy with the country’s current direction. At the moment, less than one in four (23%) 18 to 29 year-olds believe things are generally headed in the right direction, 37 percent say things are off on the wrong track — with a slight plurality (39%) unsure which direction the country is headed. Nearly two-in-five (37%) Democrats believe the U.S. is headed in the right direction, which contrasts sharply to Republicans (6%) and Independents (15%).
The economy is unquestionably the top national issue of concern for young people today. Almost half of 18-29-year olds today (48%) say economic issues are their foremost concern, more than double the second highest issue (health care: 21%) and nearly five times the third highest (War: 10%). Young people have little faith in Washington’s efforts to resuscitate the economy. More young Americans believe that the government’s efforts will hurt (30%) rather than help (26%) their financial situation, and a plurality, 41 percent, say these efforts will have no impact.
The issue that shows the biggest rift between Obama and young voters is Afghanistan. An overwhelming majority disagree with the President’s recent decision to send 30,000 additional American troops. Less than one-third (31%) favor such a decision and 66 percent oppose it according to the November 4 to 16 poll, which was before Obama had announced his final troop surge decision. Among only the 18 to 24 year-olds in the survey, there was slightly more opposition to the troop buildup off college campuses than on campus.
Despite the intense national debate, the issue of health care reform has not dominated the political landscape of the average young voter aged 18 to 29. Quite the contrary, as less than one-in-ten (8%) are following the discussions in Washington on this subject closely (34% following them somewhat closely, 33% not very closely and 23% not at all). The percentages are nearly identical on college campuses.
John Della Volpe is the Director of Polling for the Institute of Politics. He says the numbers show that “If nothing else, this generation is fiercely independent and should not be taken for granted. Young people are no longer outliers — their opinions of Obama fall in line with rest of USA.” He feels that “our government and our political parties need to continually challenge and inspire young adults.”
Great article. I think it is interesting to note how the internet has been affecting people's opinions over the last few years.
I just read a new book published by Harvard called “Wired for Thought” where the author compares the Internet to the brain. One of his central arguments is that the Internet is actually behaving as a third-party. So when information is twittered or blogged or posted on social networks, the effect is that it compounds into a collective consciousness–at least according to the author of the book (Jeffrey Stibel).
It is that Internet “opinion” that is changing the influence of many, particularly young adults. I suspect this phenomenon is behind Obama's poling numbers.
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As a Briton who has followed Obama's journey to his presidency with interest, I too have to say that I don't know what he is doing right now. I can only guess that he is working tirelessly behind the scenes to navigate those diverse and antagonistic corridors of power that we are led to believe facilitates the running of the US. But of course, as I read this back I can detect my own positive spin on the absence of information. The Obama campaign brought many, many people to attention and action – it was both inspired and inspiring. But now I am left thinking: was it purely a fluke; or are there no strategists able to tell The Team that leaving the foot soldiers and voters standing out in the cold for this long, will only leave a hole in their heart that some great pretender can fill? Beware THAT revolution.
Good to see young people are with it.
Three defining features of the (N) American Meme:
-Economy
-War
-Civil rights
The order switches about depending on the state of the union.
Perhaps Obama needs to review his vision speech and Act in some way that “concretizes” the dream for young people. Something perhaps that helps young people understand the perilous balancing act he is negotiating. The fight he's picking with the Banks right now may be seen a a step in that direction?
@m_holloway
3 days ago I wrote,
“The fight he's picking with the Banks right now may be seen a a step in that direction?”
Exactly what he's dong today. Hmm I think Obama's team must be reading here, or is this a function of social networking's collective consciousness?
Obama's top advisors on this are the same who advised Greenspan. The gloves are off – and it's personal.
Interesting times.
Michael Holloway
@m_holloway