Biden answers Q on the importance of the under 30 demographic

[gateley]

This is from a live chat Q&A on WaPo today


Ithaca, N.Y.: Sen. Biden, while you have widespread recognition for your long service among your colleagues and among the politically savvy, the fact remains that as a senator you have been relatively unknown to the general public outside of Delaware. Among no group is this more true than the young, who seem to be establishing themselves as a key demographic in the upcoming election's coverage. My question to you, sir, is how important do you see the 30-and-under crowd as a demographic to your candidacy, and how do you plan to better-enlist their support?

Sen. Joe Biden: The under-30 group is essential. I always have gotten, from the time I was elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 29, the vast majority of that vote. I am absolutely confident that as my record and my aspirations for this country become known, I will get the majority of that vote. But, up until now, the only senators who are known have been those who have been able to raise 10s of millions of dollars, and I doubt very much whether the young voters of America think that is the way we should choose a president. I will provide future presidential candidates with public financing so that all will be known equally well, and the only thing that really will matter is their ideas -- not their bank accounts.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/10/04/DI2007100401628.html

[AndyTiedye]

1. The Under-30's DO Know about Biden. Biden Pushed Through the "Rave Act"

in the conference committee, in the dead of night, so as to ensure that nobody would actually get a chance to vote on it.
There had been rather a lot of public input about the Rave Act, nearly all of it opposed.
All of this was just a bother to Biden, who did an end run around democracy to thwart us.

The Rave Act has shut down the dance scene in most areas of the country.

(and now they're complaining that people are getting too fat)

[Debi]

2. LOL Because raves are ONLY about gettin a little

excercise!

[PatSeg]

3. I'm sorry, but that is not a high priority

on my list of concerns, not when the Mideast is a tinderbox about to ignite, and more and more of the middle class is being pushed into poverty. Not when healthcare is rapidly becoming accessible only to the rich, and good American jobs are being outsourced to other countries. Millions of people are losing their homes and the standard of living is declining rapidly. We could be headed toward a depression that would make The Great Depression look like a tea party (won't be much dancing going on then). This country has BIG problems, problems that will not be solved easily or quickly.

If the "dance scene" is your highest priority, then obviously you would not be interested in any serious candidate.

[AndyTiedye]

4. Your Priorities or Mine are Not the Issue

I'm sorry, but that is not a high priority on my list of concerns

It was pretty important to the people who signed those petitions, called there representatives, went to Washington and all that.
Many of them are the under-30's who are the subject of this post. They certainly won't be voting for Biden. Nor will their friends.
Some may be so disillusioned with the political process that it will be difficult to persuade them to vote at all.

This has more to do with the way it was done than the position he took.

not when the Mideast is a tinderbox about to ignite

So where is all this parlimentary manuvering when it comes to stopping the war?

Is that less important to Biden than stopping us from dancing?

more and more of the middle class is being pushed into poverty. Not when healthcare is rapidly becoming accessible only to the rich, and good American jobs are being outsourced to other countries. Millions of people are losing their homes and the standard of living is declining rapidly. We could be headed toward a depression that would make The Great Depression look like a tea party (won't be much dancing going on then).

Perhaps you can explain Biden's vote for the bankruptcy bill then. Please.

This country has BIG problems, problems that will not be solved easily or quickly.

If the "dance scene" is your highest priority, then obviously you would not be interested in any serious candidate.

The suppression of the dance scene was the first time many of the under-30 demographic that was the subject of this thread became aware of Senator Biden.
I don't think he made a very favorable impression.

[PatSeg]

5. I both agree and disagree with some of your points

and I would debate it further, but I don't think it would be constructive, as I am quite sure I would not change your mind, and you will not change mine.

Obviously I am of a different generation and at this point in my life, I am seeing a much bigger picture than I did when I was "under-30". I am sorry if my previous post sounded demeaning. The "dance scene" comment sounded a bit trite, but I appreciate the fact that you were able to give a point-by-point rebuttal. If I had the time, I would go through them as well, but I have covered most of this numerous times in other posts and right now I'm really, really tired and need to go to bed.

But I do thank you for clarifying your position and I am glad you are taking such an interest in politics.

[demommom]

6. K&R