Democrats In Trouble With Young Voters (POLL)

A new Harvard University poll of young voters shows a variety of disheartening trends for Democrats heading into the November midterm elections.

The poll (.pdf link) shows young Republicans to be more enthusiastic and energized about the 2010 midterm elections than their Democratic peers.

Forty-one percent of young Republicans are planning on voting in November, compared to 35 percent of Democrats and 13 percent of independents. Of the young voters -- or millennials -- who voted for the Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, in 2008, 53 percent said they "definitely will be voting" this November, while 44 percent of those who voted for Obama said the same. Furthermore, those who disapprove of President Obama's job performance (35 percent) are more likely to vote than those that approve of his performance (30 percent).

Though a majority of millennials still approve of President Obama's job performance, his overall approval has fallen since November, and a majority continue to disapprove of his handling of major issues like health care (53 percent disapprove), the economy (51 percent) and the federal budget deficit (56 percent).

Despite all this, approval of Democrats in Congress remains higher than approval of Republicans, 42 percent to 32 percent. Both numbers have dropped since the November poll, but Democrats have notched down 6 percent, while Republicans have only lost 3 percent.

"Millions of young people are losing faith in government, politics and in many cases -
the American dream," John Della Volpe, Director of Polling for Harvard's Institute
of Politics said in a statement. "Millennials are calling on government to follow through on the bright
promise that a generation dedicated to public service has come to passionately believe
in."

The poll of 3,117 18 to 29-year old Americans was conducted online between January
29 and February 22, 2010. The margin of error is 2.3 percent.

Comments

[lippylaroux]

03:40 PM on 03/10/2010

They didnt think they were actually going to have to pay for this socialism when they elected the dems...

[jmpurser]

03:13 PM on 03/10/2010

Headline should have been "Young people have a clue!"

The next generation has been really screwed.

[LoriAnn]

03:13 PM on 03/10/2010

The "proof is in the pudding" !! We are only into the first year of this administration!! An administration that has had to deal with and juggle huge issues, any one of them could have sent American to the floor!! The fact that we are treading water now and may be seeing some positive signs is encouraging but this wake up call could be what we need for the houses of government to shape up and stop working against the middle !! We have got to have some substanitive programs, some real & progressive step forward on many avenues to keep some kind of realistic hold on governing. If we were to lose that their is no telling where this country, such as it is, would end up. An extreme religious war mongering society with no safe guards for the aged or infermed, no education system to speak of and women with no choice as to their own future or health care ! A rethug paradise!!

[hamchunk]

03:21 PM on 03/10/2010

I hate to break this to you but it is 2010; over 25% of his term is over. He supposedly knew what he was getting into when he ran for the office. He needs to stop blaming others as the only answer to his difficulties and find realistic solutions for all, not those that benefit only a segment of the populace.

He needs to quit campaigning and get back to governing.

[eolufemi]

04:51 PM on 03/11/2010

Meanwhile, the President is in the White House governing and you're on HP complaining about another poster complaining.

[JohnBrock]

03:12 PM on 03/10/2010

Democratic candidates are in a lot of trouble going into the 2010 elections. Im 25 and am very liberal. I think President Obama and the Democrat controlled congress have disappointed many liberals who were expecting so much "change". I am ashamed of the majority of our representatives. We elected these people to change the way things were headed in this country. But, time and time again Democrats continue to back down and allow Conservatives to push their agendas all over Washington. If Obama and the legislators would stand up now and start making progress, I guarantee those poll numbers will change for the better.

[HeightsMark]

04:48 PM on 03/10/2010

BHO and company have painted themselves in a corner, the liberal dream of utopia is gone for generations not that it ever could work. It does not take in human nature, people tend to work harder and smarter if they feel that they and their family will improve their way in the world.
How much longer do you think you will be a “very liberal”? You’re fortunate in that you are getting a bird’s eye view why it doesn’t work. When you depend on the government, you will be disappointed. Always had been and always will be.

[binksmom85]

06:38 PM on 04/13/2010

what part of billionaires paying smaller % of income in taxes than the middle class do you find the most appealing and workable?

[MrBadger]

02:56 PM on 03/10/2010

The problem with that approach is that they are disillusioned and just don't give a cr@p any more. The Republicans, the Democrats, what difference does it make? They have a point. I do think it makes a difference, but the current Democratic crop, from the President on down, are making it very difficult to make the case.

[NevadaLib]

02:37 PM on 03/10/2010

This poll is unrepresentative of the point behind the disenchantment.

More young people aren't conservative or turning conservative, they are just upset with the lack of progressive policies being enacted in favor of the status quo.
Meanwhile, this is a mid-election year which always means losses for the party in power. This is a well documented trend.
Ironically, while Obama hasn't done anything we have wanted him to, his administration has achieved a lot if you really look at the issues such as the economy, foreign affairs etc. The complexity of the housing market would require another crash to fix. nobody wants that to happen so banks are gerrymandering the real estate market to control supply and demand, which keeps your homes artificially valuable but also props up corporate profits.
The only way to fix our current financial system is to swallow a pill and let it all go to h ell. This would put enormous burden and hardship on everyone, so instead we are putting chewing gum in the leaking dams hole, because that's what everybody wants whether they are willing to admit it or not.

[KingBatguano]

02:37 PM on 03/10/2010

Both the Democratic and Republican Parties are sucker bets . Both are owned by the Banks .
America needs a viable Third Party and someone willing to take on the Banks . If a viable Third Party doesn't arise everyone should prepare learn to speak Chinese while standing in the unemployment line .

[MrBadger]

02:31 PM on 03/10/2010

I suspect that the Democrats are in trouble with anyone who got fired up in 2008 thinking that they were voting for some serious change in the direction of our country. What we got was a slight course correction but no fundamental change. Even the much vaulted health care reform is mostly a joke designed to try to get some of the spoiled brat Republicans on board. Obama and the Democrats are compromising themselves out of office. And if that happens the Republicans are going to get in and dig themselves in like a tick because they are not afraid to use every weapon at their disposal to to get their way. The Democrats seem to have failed to recognize that we are in a battle for the heart and soul of our nation. Business as usual is not going to make it. And I'm afraid that it is too late to turn the corner now, even if there was the will to do so (which I don't believe is there).

[binksmom85]

06:46 PM on 04/13/2010

well put, and fanned

[NoPCZone]

01:59 PM on 03/10/2010

The Democrats are not only in trouble with young people. They are in trouble with anyone with a brain. Most are sellout DINOs.

[GlenRast]

01:48 PM on 03/10/2010

This people need to stop reading harry Potter and learn something about how our government works. You didn't vote for an all powerful ruler who can wave a wand and get what he wants.

[hamchunk]

03:24 PM on 03/10/2010

But that is exactly how Obama was made out to be by the MSM, and he did nothing to dissuade the image. So, now that he cannot fix everything right away, he gets testy and whiny as opposed to trying to govern.

[k6007]

01:35 PM on 03/10/2010

Only 23% of college students register as republican. Now, That's progress.

[Okieborn]

01:33 PM on 03/10/2010

I agree !!
I volunteered with a lot of people who worked hard and voted for Change and Hope , we gave our best but have not received anything but disappointment in return !!

[GlenRast]

01:46 PM on 03/10/2010

Maybe you should stop whining and learn that this is not a dictatorship but a democratic system with 3 branches and two legislative bodies.

[comicpro]

01:19 PM on 03/10/2010

This poll makes about as much sense as a fat girl in a half shirt! There are more twists and turns and confusion than a person can understand!

[sixx]

01:09 PM on 03/10/2010

Rahm told everyone they weren't needed, 'we got their vote'. Brilliant political strategy from the supporter of Jumping Joe LIEberman.

[binksmom85]

06:47 PM on 04/13/2010

they both have other priorities:

http://www.keepthetruthalive.com/2005/03/dual-citizenship-loyal-to-whom.html

[Schmaltzy the Golem]

12:45 PM on 03/10/2010

They need to understand that if they stay home,they're still voting...for Republicans.