Which Candidate would generate the most New Dem Voter registrations for the GE?

[FrenchieCat]

Poll question: Which Candidate would generate the most New Dem Voter registrations for the GE?

According to the last election, 62% of American Citizens eligible to vote voted in the 2004 election. That leaves 38% who didn't.

F-A-C-T-S:
Citizens age 65 and older had the highest registration rate (79 percent) while those age 18 to 24 had the lowest (58 percent). The youngest group also had the lowest voting rate (47 percent), while those age 45 and older had the highest turnout (about 70 percent).

Among citizens, turnout was higher for women (65 percent) than for men (62 percent). The turnout rate for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher (80 percent) was greater than the rate for people whose highest level of educational attainment was a high school diploma (56 percent).

Seventy-three percent of veteran citizens cast ballots, compared with 63 percent of their nonveteran counterparts.

In 2004, turnout rates for citizens were 67 percent for non-Hispanic whites, 60 percent for blacks, 44 percent for Asians and 47 percent for Hispanics (of any race). These rates were higher than the previous presidential election by 5 percentage points for non-Hispanic whites and 3 points for blacks. By contrast, the voting rates for Asian and Hispanic citizens did not change. These data pertain to those who identified themselves as being of a single race.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/004986.html

So, which candidate has the best chance to motivate the voters we need to register to actually vote in the 2008 General Election? Why do you believe the candidate you voted for would increase voter rolls more than other candidates?

[FrenchieCat]

1. Eligible young voters will reach 50 million by the 2008 cycle

When young people are treated as real voters who can help a candidate win, they turn out to vote. Just ask Montana Senator Jon Tester, Arizona Representative Harry Mitchell or Connecticut Representative Joe Courtney. They all won with the youth vote.

Donors are finally giving to youth voting programs and investing in candidates who target young people. The increase in youth voting is not because of a reality show, it’s because young people are taking responsibility for our generation and creating innovative programs to get our peers to the poll.

In a recent poll conducted by Celinda Lake, a respected pollster and strategist who looks at the numbers and trends rather than sitting in a room blaming young people for not voting, reported that over 58% of young people are paying close attention to the Presidential races (we might add that is more than the 53% of adults that are paying attention according to a Pew poll). This is an increase of 23 points from 2004. Eligible young voters will reach 50 million by the 2008 cycle and we are voting for Democrats overwhelmingly (56% Democratic to 36% Republican).
http://youngvoterpac.org/blog/2007/11/09/attention-baby-boomers-hollywood-execs-and-dc-insiders%E2%80%A6a-friendly-message-from-gen-x-and-the-millennials-%E2%80%9Cgo-f-yourself/

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I wonder in what parts of the country this would be most helpful in?

Maybe they'll vote this time round....if we can entice them instead of making the apathetic.

[progressive_realist]

3. Young voters are most excited about Obama

Based on my unscientific, personal observations. Obama and, much as I hate to admit it, Clinton are the only ones who seem likely to attract large numbers of people who don't usually vote. Clinton has a lot of popularity among women I know who don't pay close attention to politics and don't know or care that she is such a corporatist. Obama is very popular among college students and the young Asians I know (who the OP lists as one of the groups with the lowest voting rates).

[FrenchieCat]

8. I must agree on Obama.

Interesting point you make about Hillary. There are many single women out there, and my understanding is that they don't turn out to vote like their married counterparts do.

[FrenchieCat]

2. One of the most important way in which we could win this election in a landslide.....

and nothing more than dead silence on why those chosen thus far could do it above the others? geeze! :eyes:

[David Zephyr]

4. FrenchieCat, I think that the answer would be Barack.

Granted that young people just don't show up at the polls when election day comes like other demographic groups, but still growing the voting base is empowering democracy and Barack seems to have the edge in this regard. Interesting question, by the way.

[FrenchieCat]

6. So, you may be correct that the real question is that will it translate into votes?

I have to believe that it would. Somehow, the thought of having a young, intelligent, Black President to the young generation may be exactly what might end their apathy to politics.

Thanks for your input! :hi:

[David Zephyr]

11. What an interesting race we have and what talent we have, too.

I'm so torn up inside over all of this I can't stand it much longer.

I've said for a long time that should Barack win Iowa and New Hampshire there will be no stopping him after that. He's closing in on that right now.

I was very, very relieved that our candidates didn't fight today in the debate.

:hi:

[Renew Deal]

5. Obama

He's the most different. That's plainly obvious, but probably not for the right reasons. He's black which is obvious. He grew up in Hawaii. He's from Chicago which is the second largest media market. He's young. He's the first post-boomer. He's got an inspirational story. I think Obama would increase the number of registered voters and the number of Democrats. Long term, that's excellent.

[FrenchieCat]

7. Agreed.......

In terms of Demographics, they, the young people are our future!

[stuartrida]

9. I lost my big long post. In short

Obama would motivate the younger voters
Biden would motivate the older voters

[Kucinich4America]

10. You want to get 18-24 year olds to the polls?

Give them a Democratic candidate who will end the Iraq occupation and not start any other stupid wars, meaning there will not be a draft.

If the Democratic nominee can't promise these things, than he or (God forbid) she has nothing to offer these voters.

[AX10]

16. That would be Bill get out of Iraq in 2009 Richardson!

[reggie the dog]

12. Kucinich

I more for the working class, who ususally do not vote or vote Republican. Obama may have support from the young but black people already vote Democrat in mass, but perhaps the young will register and vote for him.

I will vote Democrat no matter who gets the nomination unless you get pro war Clinton against anti war Paul (yes I am saying the war is more important than abortion, simply because the war is killing many people OUTSIDE our country.)

[Laurab]

13. I have to say Obama, too

I think he's inspired young people to get involved in politics, and that it will, in fact, turn into votes. I also believe telephone polls are totally misleading, because so many people have cell phones now - and I think that, too would affect Obama the most.

I think Obama follows through - that's why I believe it will turn into votes. He makes people aware of the importance of voting, he inspires them to get involved, and after reading about the 990 Obama house parties in another post, where they even offered child care, I'm amazed at the grassroots support he has. I'll be very surprised if his campaign doesn't do the best at GOTV.

[Yukari Yakumo]

14. Obama by a mile.

And especially if he does as Bill did in '92 and show up in places like Leno, Letterman, and MTV (though it seems their mean viewing age is much lower today than it was in '92). Throw in another SNL cameo for good measure.

[galledgoblin]

15. Obama hands down

if he gets the nomination, this election will stir people up in ways we haven't seen in decades.