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Election gaining youth interestMonday, September 8, 2008Adam Gohn and Matt Heisserer have had doors slammed in their faces and insults hurled at them. Ken Griffin has had people threaten to call the police on him. Lauren Robb has been stiffed on tips as a waitress when she mentions her political affiliation. All four Southeast Missouri State University students volunteer with the campaign for Sen. Barack Obama and have experienced a mixed reception. "This region isn't particularly Democratic -- as we have found out," Griffin said dryly. He knows the Republican stronghold he is working in. In 2004, 68.9 percent of Cape Girardeau County voters chose George W. Bush. Yet the students are showing stronger organization and presence on campus than College Democrats adviser Dr. Rick Althaus has seen in years. Debates are spilling out of class and into dorm rooms and an emanating energy is replacing previously "disheartened" Democrats, he said. Across the country, Democratic and Republican youth alike are showing heightened interest. Three times more Missourians aged 18 to 29 voted in the 2008 presidential primary than in the 2000 primary -- 21 percent versus 7 percent, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement. Time Magazine has even dubbed 2008 the "Year of the Youth Vote" and noted Missouri is being closely watched. "The Show-Me State has voted for the winner in 25 of the past 26 [presidential] elections," David Von Drehle wrote in a Jan. 31 article. Students are attending political meetings, hosting convention watching parties, going door to door to recruit support, stumping at parades, making phone calls, and helping register voters in droves. Experts say the historic nature of the candidates and pressing issues are triggering the support. "Whoever is elected is going to directly affect us. We're going to be the working class," 20-year-old Robb said. Raised a Republican, she decided to switch affiliations when she reached high school and began studying the issues. November will be her first chance to vote in a presidential election. Reaching young voters An August survey by the Pew Research Center showed that nationally 58 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 support Obama and 34 percent support John McCain. Results were much closer for total voters -- 46 to 43 percent, with Obama in the lead. Candidates are courting youth using social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace. Many young voters are concerned about the environment, a shaky economy and the war in Iraq, said Gohn, a 25-year-old philosophy major. The war in particular strikes home with young people, Althaus said. "A lot of people our age realize our generation is going to have to be the ones to stand up to make a change," Heisserer said. Lucas Presson, president of the College Republicans at Southeast, said high gas prices and the need for more oil are top issues. At the university's welcome back picnic, the organization gave away $250 in gas cash cards with the message that the next president should push for more drilling. "Everyone says this is the election of a lifetime and it really is," said Tina Hervey, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Republican Party, via phone from the Republican National Convention. Hervey pointed to the Republicans' lack of an incumbent and the Democrats' candidate being the first black man to run for the highest office as adding to the historic quality and importance of the race. Presson is quick to point out that Democratic youth aren't the only ones excited about their candidate. "There could be a misconception that all the young people are only for Obama. There are a lot of young folks out there that see the need of sending McCain to Washington," Presson said. Local support The choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the vice president candidate has added to the excitement, he said, and is helping attract female voters. Despite a heavy Republican presence in the area, College Republican adviser Dr. Dean Monahan said Republicans can't "take anything for granted." A "Victory" office has been established at 400 Broadway and is the base for campaigning in Cape Girardeau. Democrats have established an Obama office at 821 Broadway. The number of local volunteers for either party is uncertain. Presson said the College Republicans had 280 students last year that participated in varying degrees, while Monahan said there are about 100 College Republicans on the group's e-mail list and that 22 people attended the group's last meeting. Althaus said the College Democrats have about 100 members. The College Republicans have worked to raise their profile the last two years and were named the state Chapter of the Year Award last year. Southeast's College Democrats know they are outnumbered, but are celebrating every success. One of their goals is to dispel misconceptions about Obama, which workers said is achieved most effectively through personal communication. Griffin recently explained Obama's ethnicity and religious beliefs to a voter. "She was swearing up and down he was Muslim," Griffin said. The next two months are crucial in convincing those who are on the fence, he said. "It's going to be a great battle for Independents, a great battle for turnout, and a great battle for ideas," Hervey said. 335-6611, extension 123 Does this affect you? Have a comment? Log on to semissourian.com/today Comments  Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. 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Seems odd that youth would affiliate themselves with the party which blocked attempts to save & improve social security by refusing to allow private accounts. As it is now, the youth paying into the social security and medicare systems will see $0 in return...it'll be bankrupt long before they are eligible to collect on it. It also seems odd that youth would support a candidate who wishes to make it more difficult to gain wealth, by increasing your taxes as you make more. In other words, make a few dollars more and keep a few dollars less. If you've ever worked too much overtime you know what I mean...those extra couple hours you put in thinking you would make a good paycheck actually bumps you up into the next tax bracket for that check and you take home less money than if you had worked a few less hours. I also don't understand how voters anywhere can support a candidate who does not believe you ought to have the right to use a firearm to protect your home, yourself, and your family against a criminal home invasion in your own home...but he goes farther than that. He's stated he does not see any need for law-abiding citizens to carry firearms and would push for federal legislation to override state ccw laws! ...but don't worry, he DOES like guns in federal agent hands when they are protecting HIM...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/06/obama-secret-service-is-handy-when-you-have-gir-1/
Oh, but wait...Obama is pro-abortion, so if he's elected you can keep skrewing like rabbits, because if an 'unwanted' pregnancy occurs you can just go see the doctor and terminate it, where McCain and Palin want you to accept responsibility for your actions....and nobody should EVER be held accountable for their actions or take personal responsibility for their situation in life...unless, of course, you are that evil feller George Bush in which case EVERYTHING is your fault.....
Actually Oboma want to decrease taxes to 95% of US workers, but compared to the raising cost of fuel, health insurance, inflation, and the decline of the value of your home, taxes are a non issue to me.
Maybe Robb was stiffed on her waitressing tips because she ruined the diner's dining experience by blathering on about Obama. Who wants to hear political ramblings from a 20 yr old waitress?
Also, the 25 yr old philosophy major... classic!
...funny, just this March, my home appraised $6000 higher than it did in 2006...which was $6000 higher than when I bought the house in 2004. Seems to be climbing rather steadily.
...my BC/BS PPO health insurance plan costs me $65/month. There is no employer contribution, as I am self-employed. Hardly anything that could be considered "expensive"...you just have to put forth a little effort and shop around to find a plan that works for you.
...and 'personal' taxes may go down, while 'corporate' taxes as well as taxes on small businesses will go up. Who do you work for? Do you think they will have money to give you a raise if the government takes that money as a tax increase? You, the employee, just paid the employer's tax increase. Where do you shop? Do you think they aren't going to raise prices to maintain their profit margin? You, the consumer, just paid that store's tax increase. Oh, but what about those evil oil companies! Let's have a "windfall profits" tax and take some of it! Those oil companies have people on their payroll who's entire job is knowing what the taxes are going to be, and working those taxes into the cost of doing business so that those costs can be recovered in the price of their product. Corporations do not pay taxes. YOU the consumer pays that tax. The corporation only acts as a middle-man, and passes your money to the government (after taking their cut, of course).
Yes, fuel costs have gone up...what has Obama suggested to slow or reverse that increase? Everything I have heard him say or have read on his site about what he wants to do will only cause prices at the pump to go up even higher.
Sorry it took me so long to respond dixietrucker but I work for a living.
Obviously you are one of the lucky few who's home value raises like your dander. I purchased my home in a new sub division in '05 with an average home cost of $179,000. Now these homes are going for $139,000 and not moving very rapidly.
As for health insurance, you obviously have zero dependence or responsabilities to care for. I have a wife and 2 children on my insurance and pay $158 PER WEEK beginning Spet. 1st, up from $125 PER WEEK previously. I have made your suggested "shopping for better rates" and can beat it by about $800 per year, if I decide to have no more children. (Jury still out)
Where I work there have been no raises for 6 years already. I'm in sells. I sell my own raise.
As for the Oboma energy plan, I think the idea is to explore for alterative energy sources so the US can "eventually" become more energy independant. Your comment "His plan will only raise cost"...well...says you.
Look, I read your comments almost daily. Either come up with some fresh ideas or stop using the same old stale far right-wing retoric. (By the way you forgot to add "vote for McCain or al-Queda will attack".)
Not only are more young people getting involved in the campaigns of those running for office, but there are a number of younger candidates running for office. Joe Allen is only 31 and is running against Jo Ann (never lived in the 8th Congressional District) Emerson. It's nice to see the younger generations becoming engaged on all levels of politics.