With issues like Social Security, healthcare, and the War on Terror in play, young Americans stand to gain, or lose the most from the 2008 presidential election.
1972 marked the first Presidential election in which 18 year olds could vote, and in that election cycle, 55 percent cast ballots. 2008 is shaping up in similar fashion, as politicians embrace technology previously known only to youth.
For the past 2 years, the YouTube craze has become a phenomenon beyond its original function as an entertainment outlet. With CNN hosting the first ever YouTube debate, the instant-upload video site is now a forum for political speeches and ads, and online polling.
There is no longer such a thing as a one-time political comment. Former U.S. Senator and one-time GOP presidential frontrunner George Allen learned this lesson in 2006 when a young DNC staffer caught his "maccaca" remarks on camera. The YouTube community guaranteed the public would not miss their chance to view it, over and over again.
Harris Interactive recently conducted the Harvard Institute of Politics' 12th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service online among U.S. citizens aged 18 to 24 years old, both enrolled and not enrolled in 4-year colleges and universities. The survey confirms the increase in youth engagement in politics.
"In the seven years we have been conducting this national poll, we have seen a marked difference in political engagement and attitudes of young people," said IOP Polling Director John Della Volpe. "From the thirty-one percent increase in youth voter turnout from 2000 to 2004 to the 2006 upset victories of Senators Tester and Webb, younger voters are making a difference."
The online poll finds that more than three in ten likely 18 to 24 year-old Republican voters said their first choice for President in 2008 would be Rudy Giuliani (31%), followed by John McCain (18%) and Mitt Romney (8%).
More than one-third of likely 18 to 24 year-old Democratic voters say Barack Obama would be their first choice for President in 2008, followed by Hillary Clinton (29%) and John Edwards (9%).
Not only have this year's frontrunners been influenced by the energy of young people, but the issues important to young America have dominated 2008 presidential debates. According to Harvard's survey, fifty percent of young people say the Iraq War and domestic security are overwhelmingly their number one concerns today. Almost one-in-five young people say the Darfur genocide should be the next foreign policy priority for President Bush.
It is a mistake, therefore, to say that young adults don't care about politics. Some will look to past voter turnout numbers and conclude that apathy persists in youth. But in 2008 young people will once again have an opportunity to make an impact by actively engaging in the political process.
Young Americans must ask candidates in both parties to address them directly. 18 to 24 year olds must strive to make our voices heard. Write op-eds. Attend candidate forums. Ask questions, and most of all, vote.
Mahatma Ghandi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." I say, believe that you can make a difference, and you will. Your vote is your voice. Let it be heard.
Princella D. Smith is a visiting fellow at the Independent Women's Forum.