Mitt Romney Doesn't See How Young Voters 'Could Vote For A Democrat'

Riding the high of a win in Sunday's Puerto Rico primary, Mitt Romney devoted part of his victory speech to young voters, taking a swing at President Barack Obama.

Per a tweet from Buzzfeed politics reporter Zeke J. Miller, the GOP presidential hopeful said: "I don't see how anyone who is a young person could vote for a Democrat, I'm going to be honest with you."

Romney's appeal to the youth electorate may stem from data showing that sector's 2012 importance. A March 7 New York Times graphic examined into how much support he and Santorum are gaining in specific areas, including the 17-29 age bracket. In states like Mississippi (8 percent young voters) and Alabama (10 percent), Santorum picked up primary wins, bringing in 45 percent and 41 percent of those voters, respectively. Arizona (12 percent young voters) offered a different setting, with 52 percent of that pie and a win going to Romney.

Back in February, Gallup compiled a sample of the overall picture. Among 18-to-34 year olds, Romney netted 33 percent, followed by Santorum with 20 percent.

Polls aside, Romney has pinned 2012 as an election that holds heavy weight for young voters. On Super Tuesday, he told MTV that this race is about their future, pointing to student debt struggles as an impetus for change in the White House.

"They're going to pay the interest. They're going to pay the principle for years. This is a campaign to make sure that we save the future for our young people, and hopefully, as they focus on this election and as it comes closer to the general election, they'll recognize what's at stake."