A major, multi-mode survey of America's young people recently conducted by Democracy Corps (PDF format) shows young people profoundly alienated from the Republican Party and poised to deliver a significant majority to the Democratic nominee for President in 2008.

The looming disaster Republicans face among younger voters represents a setback that could haunt them for many generations to come. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama lead Rudy Giuliani-the most acceptable of the Republican offerings among youth-by significant margins, assembling a diverse coalition of support and leading the vote among independents. Exploring attitudes toward the parties themselves, young voters' reaction to fundamental issues and their perceptions of the GOP suggest a fundamental alienation from the Republican Party, a crisis that will not leave with the Bush administration.

Young people adopt views diametrically opposed from the Republican Party on issues as diverse as the war, global warming, gay marriage and, to some extent, illegal immigration as well. In fact, there is not a single issue in this survey where younger voters line up with the Republican Party.

Partisanship and political participation are both habit-forming and this population has the numeric strength to change American politics for the next 20 to 30 years once fully engaged. Given the Republican brand crisis among younger voters, progressives are very close to locking down this vote. While Democrats will win the youth vote in 2008, this cohort needs continued outreach to increase turnout and engagement. The scale of the Democratic margin and the degree to which progressives can energize young people remain in doubt. Young voters are alienated by Republicans but waiting to see if anyone delivers on the issue that concerns them most.

I hope Pelosi, Reid, Dean, and the other Democrat party leaders are are paying attention. If they follow through and deliver on their promises and potential, they can lock in power for a generation or more. If they don't deliver, and instead stick with the status quo, keep caving in to Bush and the Republicans, and fail to make the bold moves necessary to ensure the security of all Americans (financial security, medical security, etc), then both the Republican and Democratic parties can and should wither and die while someone else steps up to make the changes necessary to revitalize this country and make it great again.

Call and/or write your Congresscritters (you can find a link on the left side of this web page). Make sure that they get this message. Let's give the next generation something to thank us for.

Kids These Days

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