By Scott Darnell
UNM Student
Initiatives like the New Voters Project are currently being carried out, "hip" slogans like "America Rocks the Vote" are currently being unfurled, and politicians like John Kerry are cursing in Rolling Stone Magazine— all in an effort to capture, energize, and harness the all-important youth vote in the 2004 elections.
It's beginning to look like the political establishment is reaching out to young people.
Nevertheless, as the following excerpt from the Journal editorial demonstrates, cynicism toward youth in politics still runs rampant.
"While the decisions made by politicians may end up costing them the most, the overwhelming majority of young people simply tune politics out. To them, politics is just static, and voting is an empty exercise. Whatever factors are to blame, this self-disenfranchisement by a generation is a huge problem."
There are a couple of reasons why cynics will be proven wrong during this election cycle, and why former barriers will be broken regarding the energy and commitment of young people in politics.
In New Mexico— and across the nation— youth will mean more to politicians and their aspirations during this year's campaign season than ever before.
A recent poll by Harvard University's Institute of Politics shows a more energized young population in America:
Six out of 10 college students polled expect to be more politically active than their parents;
86 percent of respondents think political engagement is an effective way of solving important community issues;
Two-thirds believe that political involvement can have tangible results, up 17 percent from a similar poll in 2000.
The events of the past four years have shocked young people into remembering what is at stake and shocked politicians into reaching out to get a mandate from those who do indeed hold the key to America's future.
So if young people are going to vote and organize themselves to a greater extent in the coming year, which leaders personify the character traits that will win the youth vote?
This is where a new tradition will be established in 2004. The same Harvard poll mentioned earlier also points out that 61 percent of college students approve of President Bush's job performance, and 31 percent identify themselves as Republicans, while 27 percent identify themselves as Democrats.
Also, according to VNS, Democrats led the youth vote by 19 points in the 1996 presidential election, but during the 2000 election the youth vote was virtually tied.
It seems that, not only are young people becoming more energized when it comes to political matters, but a true revolution has taken hold as we have seen the positive agenda carried forward by the president.
The revolutionary and overwhelming support that young people are demonstrating for President Bush is directly attributed to his positive, principled, and passionate leadership. His down-to-earth, straight-shooting, positive nature resonates with young people often turned off by partisan political wrangling. He's proven to young voters that his principles and faith— not polls or focus groups— dictate the direction of his foreign and domestic policy. This president has done today what is necessary to ensure for all Americans a brighter tomorrow.
Young people will be vital to the election in 2004. We care about the direction of our nation and we recognize leadership that is genuine. For that very reason, we will participate in the political process and support President Bush in November.
Scott Darnell is a student at the University of New Mexico.
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