Talkin' 'Bout Our Generation: Obama Losing His Touch With the Youth
Is health care a generational issue? We see a lot of older people in power and at these town halls, pushing the debate, but why aren't the young people showing up? Maegan has a great essay today on the generational battle in politics and its role of health care, and on today's Wilshire & Washington we tackle these generational questions. Why isn't the younger generation, so involved in the campaign, excited about health care and helping out? Is this Obama's fault? He got us involved in the campaign but now our Chief Executive seems detached from the young people that drove his election. Where's Obama's presence on social networks and blogs gone? Why don't we get text messages anymore? Why don't the Organizing for America emails resonate anymore?
The reality is that different generations expect, and watch, different media and react to politicians, and get involved, differently. Ted points out that Obama's being interviewed all the time by the MSM, but how many young people really watch The Today Show? And, within this health care debate, how many AARP members are logging onto the White House's new Fight the Smears website? Obviously, a lot changes in the transition from campaigning to governing, but for all those people who got involved in politics for the first time last year, the change is a shock. (Get it? Hi-larious.)
We also talk the town halls -- Made a scene? Did the politician flee for the exit! Hurrah! Abuse works! -- and how these raucous meetings have a long tradition in local politics. Ever been to a City Council Meeting, long the purview of local crazy conspiracy theorists? As Ted points out, some of these people are saying relevant things, like a townhaller complaining to Senator Arlen Specter about lobbyists in Washington, but those messages are being drowned out by the way they're being delivered. But what are the long term implications of this sort of strategy? Will this endear the GOP to the Latino base it so needs to win the next election? (Uh, no.)
We also talk about immigration and the looming battle over the census. There's a spirited case for those who don't want the census to count undocumented immigrants.
Finally, we talk the new documentary By The People, the first major feature on the Obama campaign, produced by actor Edward Norton and airing on HBO this November. Watch the trailer below. We've got a short interview with Norton here in which he discusses the documentary's access to the campaign. The movie itself is unfortunately not much more than a nice slideshow through some of the major bullet-points in the campaign, touching on Iowa, the DNC, then the fall campaign. While Obama is, as ever, a compelling figure to watch, the documentary has a funny structure and doesn't provide much insight into the campaign or why it was victorious. It's a pity, because the filmmakers trailed Obama for nearly three years and significant access.
Listen to the show here, subscribe to the iTunes podcast, or use the Blog Talk Radio player:
Wilshire & Washington, the weekly Blog Talk Radio program that explores the intersection of politics, entertainment, and new media, features co-hosts Ted Johnson, Managing Editor of Variety; conservative blogger Teresa Valdez Klein (www.teresacentric.com), and liberal blogger Maegan Carberry (www.maegancarberry.com). The show airs every Wednesday at 7:30am PST on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Follow Ted Johnson, Maegan Carberry, Teresa Valdez Klein on Twitter: www.twitter.com/maegancarberry
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
If you are concerned about receiving "real" health care reform in this country, please take the time to watch a video on our current system. The video was created by Oregon physicians who are advocating for the single-payer option. The video is very informative and helped me to gain a better understanding of various aspect of health care, as we know now it.
https://ww
These Oregon physicians are in the process of organizing a caravan designed to inform the public about the benefits of the single-payer option. At last count they will be stopping in approximately 23 states, on their way to demonstrate in Washington. They need volunteers and our support. Please spread the word.
I was musing about this the other day and thought: wouldn't it be something if the President would directly address the youth? The 20 and 30somethings, fresh out of college, or just laid off from yet-to-blossom careers, still paying off their college loans and have no money for health insurance? I would love for Barack to speak to young people like me and move us all again, and give that push for more of us to contact our senators, spread the word, make our voices ring louder than the protestors' yelling. He did it in the election, he inspried us to spread the word then. He should do it now. Frankly, I feel exhausted for all the "inspiring" I'm trying to do in my very small arena, I think the word needs to come from the man himself.
We OLDER FOLKS complpetely agree with y'all!!! I am a middle aged woman who worked on the campaign, gave my last low-income dollars before being laid off. You're not the ONLY generation that felt shafted after the election!
Obama FAILED miserably to turn all that enthusiasm into a huge push FOR HIS AGENDA. There's no excuse for this. The Obama admin could have WON healthcare a long time ago if they had planned ahead like good community organizers and activated their base.
It has become painfully obvious that Obama is a law professor - NOT activist, by nature. Disingenously claimed the moniker of community activist.
His huge failure on the ACTIVISM front, to activate people to push his agenda in their communities-- will give community activism a bad name for years. Not to mention the Democratic party and Obama himself. I am furious that they have not, in seven months, figured this out and fixed it.
Why would they stop cold as soon as he was elected? To freeze OUR opinions out? His campaign promises were only what people wanted to hear. It is supremely disappointing when the true community organizers out here are left hanging in the wind by the Obama people, rather than used as a team. This - all these ridiculous neocons surrounding him on his economic team makes him look INSECURE, and extreme right Democrat Rahm Emannuel as his confidante. I hope Axelrod gets out of there - it's hard to stomach that he'd be as
In a way, I agree with you. But his term isn't even half over. It seems as if Obama has bent over backwards to give bi-partisanship a chance. It should be obvious to Obama that bi-partisanship doesn't exist.
I hope Obama wakes up and starts pushing his agenda forward. If the GOP doesn't like it, then too bad for them.
CBS Radio newscasts are now featuring ALL anti-reform coverage when they use town hall soundbites. I have been to three town halls in Sam Farr's district. The anti reformers have been in the minority yet nobody from any national news has come to cover us. This should be BIG NEWS, right - since all they show is the other side, you would think it's news when there are town halls that are majority PRO REFORM.
Please call the head of CBS Radio News - I did. He called back and I complained about their slanted coverage. Please flood them with complaints about this. Their newscasts are picked up by hundreds of independent AM stations around the country. CONTACT info:
Contact info: Harvey Nagler, VP, CBS News. 212 975 2685; Email: cbsnews.co
People should keep in mind that Obama cannot fulfill all promises within the few months he has been in power. Did anyone think it was that easy.
During the campaign my son was so excited about Obama but that's all changed since the election. He said he no longer believes in Obama.
I can't believe how ignorant people can be to think President Obama could fix all of problems in 6 months when he has the Rethugs fighting him on every corner. Some of us are acting the same way people did with Jesus, who was cheered for when he was healing the sick and raising the dead and feeding over 5,000, but when Jesus needed them most is when they turned their backs oh him. For those that don't see that the President is trying to help the American people, you Judas when regret it, if the Republicans and their racist party end back in charge and it will be what we deserved is we don't support the President.
Jesus was an HONEST man.
I sitll have hope with Obama; especially when I consider the HIDEOUS alternative. Unfortunately the young don't realize how important healtcare is for all Americans and perhaps they don't see the Americans dream slipping away. The youth should be at the forefront keeping Obama true to his promises.
Despite my disappointment with Obama's lack of strong action I am repulsed by the politics of hate from the GOP; I still believe that empathy has a place in American life and I hope that the youth of America believes that too.
in charity not taxes
Freedom isn't free, except in the right wing pipe dream. They don't want to pay their taxes. Charity never has been able to deal with the massive societal ills created by the capitalist system. Tax revenues are needed to assuage those ills and maintain the system. If right wingers were smart they would realize that simple fact.
All I know, America's demise is not because of the President, but with us Americans. It is amazing what is going on right now. The misinformation, the misleading, by perpetrated by media, and the ignorant are just sapping it up like thirsty dogs to water. No wonder the youths are not paying attention. They are busy doing what Obama inspired them to do, so they are not ilfiltrated with this nonsense. Simply amazing. Yes, hang on in there Mr President.
The problem with the youth vote is they are not paying attention to these debates because they have real lives and are out living them.
It's we old people who spend our evenings on the web giving our opinions to other opinionated old people.
Hang in there, Mr. President. And, thank you for being willing to serve during these treacherous times.
Oh, well. He got elected. He doesn't need you anymore.
Unfortunately, once Obama won, he quickly changed into just another pol. I don't think that was the change the young voters (or older ones for that matter) were looking for.
bingo. !!!!!
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
