The Whipper-snapper Factor
Throughout this campaign, I’ve always believe that it would be young people who would drive this election. They will be the ones who would decide who will be the next President, and ultimately the future of this country. This past weekend confirmed that belief more than any other moment.
I was out to dinner with my Moms and my young niece, Raven. Raven is 16 years old, but has been following this campaign as much as any adult I’ve ever spoken to (perhaps even more). Granted, she has a typical teenager’s point of view of what’s happening in the campaign. Her views shaped more by observation than experience, but that she actually had an informed opinion amazed me. Myself, I don’t think I even knew what was happening when I was 16 (as I recall, Regan was halfway through his first term), and didn’t really care as I was more interested in surviving my tenure at
Germantown High School. I would bet that she probably has a firmer grasp of the issues facing this country, and this election, than most adults, who’s opinions are shaped by quick sound-bites and non-issue issues (a.k.a. low-information voters).
While amazing, this is not unique. This campaign has energized young people in ways we could not have expected even four years ago. At the risk of exposing my very obvious bias, I credit the candidacy of Barack Obama. He represents something that they are more inclined to embrace than their parents. That is diversity. The realization that anyone can strive to whatever they wish to be, regardless of their race, their background, or even their upbringing. They have never known a nation where people were discriminated against based solely on their skin color, and that level of innocence is what inspires them to action. Regardless of the outcome of this election, what has happened here will have a very real effect on future elections. And future aspiring leaders will need to take notice.
Indeed, young and first time voters will be the “X” factor in this election. If voter registration numbers are to be believed, these young people could put many states into play that had heretofore been solidly in the GOP camp. Senator McCain had best hope that history repeats itself and young people stay home on Novembr 4th or he might just be on the losing side of a historic election.